The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1862-11-07
The Widow and her Son.

Mother, | will be everything to you
that | can be; | promise you that"
The boy lifted his head. A look Of
high resolve made the young brow man
like in expression. Not yet had ten sum,
mers deepened the gold on those fair
locks. The earnest blue eyes looked fond
ly IN the faded face that bent over him
There was a world Of love in 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
repeated. Henry Locke smiled, because
as he spoke there came tears to his moth
er's eyes. lie had that morning been
promised a place in country store, five
miles from the cot, or rather cabin, where
they lived. 1t was but small pittance !,
but Of late the mother had grown so fee
bic that she could earn nothing; could
scarcely do the little that order and neat
ness called for at her hands.
One dollar a week It was a very lit :
tie sum but better, much better than moth
ing. Besides Henry was to have his
meals with lis employer and could, if he
chose sleep there. But he did not choose.
For glad smile from mother for the
pressure of that feeble hand for the tens
der Christian words that come from those
pale lips, he was bravely willing. after the
days bard work, to walk the five miles,
dark aud tedious though the way was.-
Often he came bringing some little deli
cacy that he had earned, and which was
sweet TO the invalid because he brought it.
One night the sky was curtaned with
clouds The widow looked from her lit
tie window facing the hiIy road along
which the hav>wagons went on their way
to the city, and said, as she saw the twi
light deepening earlier than its wont "he
will not come to night
No; he would not come that night -
The wind blew fiercely and sent the branch
es of the old apple tree rattling against the
olapboards, and threw the rain, as with q
spite, over the little windows, sheeting
,hem, a,l... making dreary music So the
widow. quite confident that Henry would
-, ron,rru N. in that storm, read her Bi
bic til her heart kindIeu v. ~'h ""iY "o,us
and putting out ber little light went to ne,
rest. She knew not how long she had
slept, when voice awakened her The
sweet voice, so dear 10 her, was crying,
/" Mother, mother!' At Fl st she thought
it dream but listening intently, she
heard blending with the vail Of the wind
that cry, and sound against the latch
greeted her Instantly rising she groped
for light, unfastened the door, and be
hold, there stood Henry, piteous sight
indeed, covered with mire, literally from
head to foot His face was wet, but the
honest happy smile was in no ways ahated
Ny bog, how could you come on sucl
a night ?" exclaimed the widow.
Why, mother storm couldn't keep nj
from you," was his hearty response. Nv
had the greatest time, though, you eve
did see-Iost my way, 90, into the creek
and it must be midnight; but | meant t,
come. for 5. gave me trife over to nigh
and knew you needed it -
Ny dear boy y sprung from the moth
er's full heart, with tear or TWO tha
trickled down her pale cheeks.
Il wonder havn't thought Of it be
FORE" she said, mu-ingy. "After this, I
put light in the window. To be sure,
wou't show far; but when you get TO th
top of the hill, it will be pleasant, to see !
and know that | am watching for you'
For three years the lamp was placed
the little window every night People 0
ten remarked, las bright as Mother Locke
: little window" and it became favori
saving with the ueirhborhood.
At the end oil that time, young Hem
was offered good chance on board wha
ing vessel, and he resolved 10 accept it