The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1862-08-20

Mother, will be everything 10 you that
csn be; promised you that"
The boy lifted his head. A look of high re-
solve made the young brow manlike in express
sion. Not yet had ten summers deepened the
gold on those fair locks. The earnest blue eyes
Looked fondly in the faded face that bent over
him. There was 4 world of love ia that sOul-a
love that was not Only lip deep, but Was proved
by acts Of self denial.
The words are beautiful enough to be rcpea.
ted. Henry Locke smiled, because as he spoke
there came tears to his mothers eyes. He had
that morning been promised . place in a country
store, Eve miles from the cot, or rather cabin,
where they lived. Ii was Of but small pittance !;
but of late the mother had grown 20 feeble that
she could earn nothing; could scarcely do the
little that order and neatness called for at her
hands.
One dollar week! Ii vas . very little sum,
but better, much better, than nothing Besides
Henry was to have bis meals with his employer,
and could, If be chose, sleep there. But he did
choose. For glad smile from mother for the
pressure Of that feeble hand for the tender
Christian words that came from those pale lips, he
was bravely willing, after the days hard work to
walk the Eve miles, dark and tedious though the
way vas. Often he came bringing some little
delicacy that he had earned, and which vas
sweet to the invalid because he brought it.
One night the eky vas curtsined With clouds.
The widow looked from her little window facing
the hilly 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 to night"
No: he would not come that night. The wind
blew 6erce9 and cent the branches OF the old
apple tree rattling against the clap.boards, and
threw the rain, as with spite, over the little
windows, sheeting them and making dreary mu.
sic. Sc the widow, quite confident that Henry
would not venture out in that storm. read her
Bible till her heart kindled With the Holy words,
snd putting out her little light vent to her rest
She knew not how long she had slept when q
voice awakened her. The sweet voice. 40 dear
to her, Vas crying, Mother, Mother I" Al
6rst che thought it dream; but listening in.
testify, she heard, blending With the vail Of the
Wind, that cry. and q sound against the latch
greeted her. Instantly rising. she groped for &
light, unfastsned the door, and behold, thers
stood Henry. :, n;te""s sish' ;-a--s' s.'..ss
| With mTe, literally from head TO foot. His face
was vet, but the honest, happy smile vas in M
| ways abated.
"hv boy, how could you come On such
night {" exclaimed the widow.
why, mother, storm couldn't keep me from
| ~
greatest time, though, you ever did see-lost nv
way, get into the creek, and i. must be midnight
but meant to come, for 8. gave me triHe eve
| tonight and knew you needed t."
my dear boy J" spruBg from the mother
full heart, with tear or two that trickled dow
her pale cheeks.
81 wonder haven't thought of il before,
she said musingly. "Afser this, I'll put ligh
in the window. To be sare, it won't chow far
but when yeu get to the top Of the bill, it vi b
pleasant to zee it, and know that Am watching
for you"
For three years the lamp vas placed in th.
lissle window every night People often re
marked that, " a. bright - Mother Locke's littl
sindev," and it became q hvorite saying viii
the neighborhood
At the eBd Of that time, young Henry was ol
fered good chance on board q whaling vessel
and be resolved to accept it. Il cost him, %
one knew vbst . struggle, to part from the be
ing be loved With an almost uorstipped affection
But be knew the time bad come when be mus
70 forth into the vesld 70 do battle for bimsel
and for her; and . sailors Efe was his covese
calling. @
"Is seems To ne. Henry" said the mesbes
when, With . trembling lip, she parted from hir
"As if must still pat light in the little Viz
dow. shall think sometimes that bear th
sound Of your footsteps. the click Of The latch
and yoar pleasant voice. ., Henry, Hesry
il I could bat Light you over ths stormy VI
tenl" ---
The long voyage was ended-bst another vey
ass vas - end before thsk The widow Lock
\ ~ takea a. Yes With snfa1ias rsgslazis,