The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1862-11-26
The LiEht lea the window.

Es~---~--...z =. 80. -.. -
The LiEhf ia the Window.
Mother. I yin Be everything TO you that
I can Be: I promised you that!'
,1hs boy lined his bead. A look Of high
resolve nads the young brow mahlike in
sfprsssiOn. Not jet bad ten summers deep
saed the geh on those fair locks. The
ssrnsst elus eyes look a fondly ia the AIDED
face that bent over him. There was world
OF love IN that soul-a love that was not on
ly lip deep. but was proved BY scts Of self
denial. =
The words are beautiful snoashto be re-
pested. Henry Locke smiled, because as he
spoke there came tears to his mothers eyes
lie had that morning been promised place
in the country store, five miles from the col,
or rather cabin, where they LIVED. 1t was
OF but . small pittance; but Of late the
mother had grown so feeble that she could
earn noihing-cOuld scarcely do that little
that order and nsatness called for at her
hands:
One dollar week! It is very little sum,
but better, much better, than nothing
Besides. Henry was to have his meals with
his employer. and could. il he chose. sleep
there. But he did no. choose. For glad
smile from mother. for thu pressure Of that
feeble hand; ior the tender Christisns words
that came from those pale lips, he was brave
ly willing. after the days hard work, to
walk the Eve miles, dark and tedious though
the way was. Often he came bringing some
little delicscy that he had earned, and which
was sweet to the invalid because he brought
it.
One night the sky was eurtained will
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 deep
ening earlier than its wont; He will ncI
come TO night
No, he would not come that night. The
wind blew fercely and sent the branches o
the old apple tree rattling against the clap
boards, and threw the rain, as within spite
over the little windows, sheeting them and
making dreary music. So the widow, quits
confident that Harry would not venture ou
in that storm, read her Bible till her hear
kindled with the holy words, and putting
out her light, went to her rest.
Sheknew not how long she had slept
when voice awakened her. The swee
voice, so dear TO her, was crying, Mother
Motherb At first she thought it 4 dream
but, listening in;sntiy, she heard, blending
with the vail Of the wind, that cry, and I
sound against the latch greeted her. In
stantly rising, she groped fora light, unfas
tened the door, and behold, there stooc
Henry. pitious sight indeed, covered will
mire literally from head to foot. Els fac
was wet; but the honest, happy smile wa
in no way abated.
MY boy, how could you come on such
nightn exclaimed the widow.
why, mother, ssorm couldn't keep M
from you,' was his hearty response. l'v
had the greatest time that you ever did see
lost my way, go. ints the creek, and it mus
be midnight; but meant to come, for S
gave me tiifle over to night, and knew
you needed it,
My dear boy!' sprung from the mother
full heart, with tear or two that trickle'
down her pale cheeks.
4 wonder l havn't thought Of it before
she said, musingly. After this, I'll put
light in the window. To be sure, it won
show far, but, when you get to the top OF tn
hill, it will be pleasant to see it, aud kno,
that am watching for YOU
For three years the lamp was placed i
the little window every night. People otte
remarked that, as bright as Mother Locke
little window and it became ayorite say
ing with the neigalborhood.
At the end OF that time, young Henry WI
offered good chance on board whaliH
vessel, and he resolved to accept it. 1t co
him, no one knew what struggle, to pa
from the being he loved with an almost wo
shipped affection. But he knew the tiu
had come when be must 60 forth into II
world to do battle for himself and her; aud
sailors life was his coveted calling.
1t seems to me, Henry said tho mothe
when, with trembling lip she parted hin
'ss il must still put light in the lit
window. shall think sometimes thai
hear the sound OF your footsteps, the click
the latch, and your pleasant voice. 0. Hel
~, Henry, il l could but light you over Il
stormy waters9
The long voyage was ended; but anoth
voyage was to end before that. The Wido
Locke was taken i'll. Yet, with unfadil
regularity, with feeble step and tremai
hand, the bear woman trimmed the litt
lamp and placed it in the window. Sti
wbsn the bended form could no longer tott
shout the cottage, when she lay helpless up'
the bed, and the neighbors came in to tai
care for her, she would say, Put the lltt
lamp in the window my Heary viii
thinking Of it,
Night after night, and ever until her ey
grew dim, she wouk watch tire radiance
the Pickering light, only saying sometim'
Shall live to hear his footsteps? Will th
feeble flames still burn when my lies lig
bas gone outr
4 have longed TO gee him. she said;
have prayed earnestly. but ] have given
all M now. shall not meet him in Ii
world
'Iiavs you pat the light in the window
she asked suddenly, few moments after.