The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1861-10-25
SJnteregtinq gtoru.
THE WIDOWS ONLY SON.


The boy lifted his head. A look of
high resolve made the young brow mans
like in expression. Not yet had ten sum
mers deepened the gold on those fair
locks. The earnest blue eye looked fond
ly on the face that bent over him. There
was world of love in his soul-a love
that was not only lipdeep, but was prov
ed by acts of self-denial.
They were poor-that mother and son
oh, how poor they were! You could al
most see how poverty had drifted over
every thing about them drifted Whitley
over the pine chairs and tables--drft-
ed over the humble quilt that had grown
so faded--drifted over their clothes and
through them, till patch after patch was
placed on the sad havoc that piiiess drift
ing want bad made.
But in holy heart-love they were rieh-
er than the Rothschids; 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 every thing to you
that can be; promise you that.'
The words are beautiful enough to be
repeated. Henry Locke smiled because
as he spoke there came tears TO his moth
er's eyes. He had that morning been
promised place in a little country store
FIVE miles from the cot or rat;.er cabin
where they lived. It was but small pit
tance; but of late the mother had grown
SO feeble that she could earn nothing;
could scarcely do the little that order and
neatness called for at her hands.
One dollar week! It was very lit
tie sum, but better, much better, thar
nothing. Besides Henry was 10 have his
meals with his employer, and could if he
chose sleep there. But be did not choose
r For glad smile from mother; for pres
sure Of that feeble hand; for the tender
Christian words that came from those
pale lips, he was bravely willing, after his
;; hard days work, to walk the FIVE miles,
: dark and tedious though the way was
Often be came, bringing some little deli
, cacy that he had earned and which was
sweet to the invalid, because he hat
! brought it.
One night the sky was curtained will
clouds. The widow looked from her lit.
tie window facing the billy road along
which the hay wagons went on their way
to the city, and said, as she saw the twi
! light deepening earlier than its wont, "he
J will not come tonight
No; he would not surely come tina
night The wind blew fercely, and sen
r the branches of the old apple tree rafting
E against the clapboards, and threw the
rain as with spite over the little win.
dows, sheetipg them, and making dreary
music. So the widow, quite confden
that Henry would not venture out in tha
storm, read her Bible till her heart kin
died with the holy words, and putting ou
her light, went to rest.
She knew not how she had slept whe1
voice awakened her. The sweet voic'
so dear to her was crying "Mother! moth
erl'' AT first she thought it dream
but, listening intently, she heard blend
ing with the wall of the wind, that cry
and a sound against the latch greeted
her. Instantly rising she CROPPED for
light, upfastened the door, and behol,
. there stood Henry, pitoous sight. indee
l. l. covered with mire, literally, from head t
" foot. His face was wet; but the honest
n n happy smile was by no means abated.
! My boy, how could you come on sue
n a night?' exclaimed the widow.
d "Why, mother. storm couldn't kee
n me from you,' was his hearty response
"I've had the greatest time, though, yo
ever did see--lost my way, got into
creek, and it must be midnight; but
W CUulS, loi ~ SaNS tIiC O. -
k, yer tonight, and l knew how muc
you needed it.''
: "My dear boy!" sprang from the mot
er's full heart, with tear or two th
9 trickled down her pale checks:
IN. IN 'I wonder I haven't thought before
II. she said musingly. "Alter this, III P
y ~ a light in the window. To be sure,
won't show far; but when you get to t
, top Of the hill, it will be pleasant to S
> it, and know that am watching for yo'
For three years the lamp was plac
in the window every night. People
ten remarked it; and Gas bright as M
led Locke's little window" became favor
). " saying.
At the end Of that time, young Hen
was offered a good chance on board o.
n Eo whaling vessel, and he resolved to
cept it. 1t cost him, none knew what
struggle to part from the being he lov