Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-02-05
WHOLE NO. 1856.
The widows Only Son.

Now, Martin, I've got everything stow
ed away in this bundle, though it was
mighty hard work. I've done up them
two shirts fit for a king. and I've slowed
! away a little packet of dough-nuts in one
corner; and I've given you green needle
book, and the top is filed with pins, and
you'll find sewin' silk, and brown thread,
and couple of darnin' needles IN one
corner. You've got three pair o. nice,
warm socks, that knit last summer, and
that never went on to your feet
You must look out and not wet 'em, what
ever comes, for | alters thought that your
father caught his death cold the day that
be felled the hickory tree in the south
meadow, for he came home with his feet
soppin' wet, and was so hoarse he couldn't
speak loud word the next day, and be-
fore the week was gone the cough set in,
which carried him to his grave. You'll
remember, Martin, and mind and not get
your feet wet?"
''I'n do the best l can, mother. You
talk as though you didn't know much
about the rough and tumble time we've
got to go through, but you mean it all
right"
1t was in the large kitchen of small,
old fashioned country cottage, that these
words were spoken. You could not have
helped liking the old wornan's face, pale
faded though it was with years, and sick
ness, and care; il had such good mother
look, and was so full of kindness and sym
pathy. -.-e.-ss..,
She was poor and old; her husband had
long ago laid down on the last brave pill
low which the earth spread smooth for all
her children. And around his grave clus-
tered half dozen smaller ones, sons and
daughters who had gone before him.
So Martin johnson was all that remain
ed to his mother; the hope and the staff
of her old age. All the tendrils of her
love wove themselves around him; and he
!=as a kind, thoughtful, industrious son
whose highest ambition was to pay off the
mortgage on the old homestead, and set
tie down there for life.
But when the summer crops were most
y in, and the winter and the hard times
promised little work or recompense TO
farm laborers, he had been induced TO
Join company of volunteers forming in
histown. And now the last hour with his
mother has come, and he stands there,
the young, brave, stalwart man, and there
is strange weakness about his heart, and
huskiness in his throat, and he wishes he
could get away without speaking the last
word.
Come, mother" he says, slowing the
large bundle in his deep coat pocket, its
high time was off, so we mast say good
bye. Take care of yourself now, and
don't go to fretting yourself about me.-
I'll write as often rs | can"
The old woman put her feeble arms
- l. 4
the sobs shook her grey hairs, you won't
forget your poor old mother, that loves
you better than her life, will your You'll
remember how the morning will never
rise, and the night will never fall, in which
she doesn't pray God to take care of her
boy; and you won't forget the little red
covered Bible, put into corner of the
bundle?"
No. won't forget it. Come now,
mother, give me q real hearty, cheerful
good bye. Don't look on the dark side.
Maybe shall be back before the year is
over, and then if he's done his duty, as
brave man should, and maybe got promo
ted, you'll be proud of your soldier boyp'
But you're all I've got, Martin, and if
anything should happen to you, it would
break my heart-it would break it, Mar
sAA- 0Oh SaAA VI any tl1115 n8ppe1l-
ing mother, except what's good. Come.
cheer up, for want last smile instead
Of a last sob, and there isn't another mia
ute to spare"
Mrs. johnson swallowed down her sobs,
and drawing down the sunburnt face to
her lips, she said with tremulous smile.
God bless you my precious boyP'
"God bless you, mothsrY he couldn't
trust his voice to speak another word,
and he dashed away
She stood in the door and watched him
until he was out of sight, and she saw him
brush his hand across his eyes several
times beforeShe turned and waved it to-
her. Once her voice followed after him.
Don t9Orget the doughnuts, Martin"
II shant the next time Pm hungry"
They were the last words she heard
4 moment later and he was out Of sight,
no Mrs. johnson went in and closed the
Ioor. God help her!