Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1860-11-09
The Widows Only Son.
BY MRS. NJ. A. DENNIsoN.

In expression. Not yet had ten summers
deepened the gold on those fair locks. The
earnest blue eye looked fondly in the faded
face that bent over him. There was
world of love in his soul-a love that was
not only lip deep, but was proved by acts
Of self-denial.
They we're poor, that mother and son,
oh how poor they were! You could al
most see how poverty had drifted every
thing about them-whitely over the pine
chairs and tables--dritted over the humble |
quilt that had grown so faded-drifted over
their clothes and through them, until patch
after patch was placed on the sad havoc
that pitIess want had made.
But in holy heart love they were richer
than the Rothschilds; yes, out of their
bank in Heaven, that bank directors here
might sneer at-they drew every day,
every hour, uncounted treasure.
"Mother, will be everything to you
that can be-; promise you that"
The words are beautiful enough to be re-
peated. Henry Locke sighed, because as
he spoke there came tears to his mothers
eyes. He had that morning been promised
q pldCC dJ a COuutIl SIOItS DNO illlOS uOlu
the cot, or rather cabin where they lived.-
1t was but small pittance, but of late the
mother had grown so feeble that she could
earn nothing; could scarcely do the little
that order and neatness required at her
hands.
One dollar week 1t was very small
sum, but better, much better than nothing
Besides, Henry was to have his meals with
his employer, and could, if he chose, sleep
there. But he did not choose. For glad
smile from mother, for a pressure of that
feeble hand, for the tender, Christian words
that came from those pale lips, he was
bravcly willing, after his hard days work,
to walk the five miles, dark and tedious
though the way was. Often he came,
bringing some little delicacy that he had
earned, and which was sweet to the invalid
because he brought it.
One night the sky was curtained with
clouds. The widow looked from her win
dow facing the billy road along which the
hay wagons went on their way to the city,
and said, as she saw the twilight
deepening earlier than its wont-"He will
not come tonight"
No-he would not come that night. The
wind blew fiercely, and sent the branches of
the old apple tree rattling against the clap
boards, and throw the rain, as with spite,
over the little windows, sbeeting them, and
making dreary music So the widow,
quite confident that Henry would not ven
ture out in that storm, read her Bible till
her heart kindled with the holy words, and
putting out her little light, went to bed
She knew not how long she had slept,
when a voice awakened her. The sweet
voice, so dear to her, was crying "Mother
motherw AT first she thought it dream,
but, listening intenty, she heard, blending
with the wall of the wind that cry, and a
sound against the latch greeted her. In
stantly rising she groped for light, unfast-
ened the door, and behold there stood
Henry piteous sight indeed, covered with
mire, literally, from head to foot His face
was wet, but his honest, happy smile was
in no ways abated.
"My boy, how could you come home on
such nght" exclaimed the widow.
"Why, mother! storm could not keep
me from you," was his hearts response
1--WE had the greatest time, though, you
ever did see-lost my way, got into creek
and it must be midnght-but | meant tc
r come, for S. gave me triie over, tonight
and knew how much you needed it."
| "My dear boy" sprang from the mothers
heart, with tear or two that trickled down
her checks.
81 wonder l hadn't thought BEFORE" she
, said, musngly, "After this, l will put &
' little light in the window. To be sare, il
won't show far; but when you get to the
top of the bill, it will be pleasant to see it
= and know that am watching for you"
For three years the little lamp was placed
, in the window every night. People otter
Y remarked it, and "as bright as mother
Locko's window" became favorite saying
| At the end of that time young Henry
n was offered a good chance on board of {
o whaling vessel, and he resolved to accept it
r 1t cost him, none knew what struggle, t.
part with the being he loved with an almos
@ worshipful affection. But he knew tn
time had come when he must 90 forth il
l. the world to do battle for himself and 70
= her. and sailors life was his covete
IS calling.
e "It seems to me, Henry" said tn
@ mother when with trembling lip, sh
b parted with him, "as if must still put tn
light in the window. l shall think some
d times l hear the sound of your footsteps
!" the click of the latch and your pleasar
voice. Oh, Henry, if could but light 20
over the pleasant watersP
lie another, God will do that" said Henr,
IL pointing to the glowing heavens. "Go
a. will light me through storm and throug
calm; but mother, 1 shall think ever
night that the lamp is in the window; thi
y YOU sit near it, that somebody blesscs yo
g for the guiding ray, and above all that 20
At are praying for me-"
- ~ The long voyage was almost ended, bu
10 another voyage was to end before that. Th
10 widow Locke was taken i'll. Yet, with III
OF failing regularity, with feeble steps, an
n u, tremulous hand, nightly the dear woma
:" trimmed the little lamp, and placed it
g the window. Still when the bended for
90 could no longer totter about the cottag
y when she lay helplessly upon her bed, au
the neighbors came in to care for her, 81
or would say, "Put the little lamp in the wi
ia dow, my Henry will be thinking of it."
=, N ayan until h