Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1863-02-05
My Mother s Dying Call.
BY RENT RAY.

The birds sang sweetly, so sweetiy and
jayously that it seemed as if the sllvery-throa-
ted warblers were vying with each other
The morning breezes came fresh and cool
from the hills, sweeping lightly over the clo-
yer fields and tanning my cheek with its per-
fumed wing. But did not listen to the
birds songs needed not the serene beauty
of the morning, for was so intensely enga-
ged in reading-not the Bible, but new no
vel, which l had commenced preceding cve-
ning-that all sights and sounds were unlike
unheeded.
Jessie said a sweet voice, faint and low
always, but now fainter and lower than usu.
al; but did not answer Immediately, ol
spring to my mothers bedside, as l usually
did, at her first call, but waited moment
to glance down the page. Jessie! Jessie
come here my child
'Yes dear mother, in a moment replied,
without Withdrawing my eyes from the book
Come now-row, my love-
Yes, mother in moment, as soon as have
finished this page and continued reading
The page was finished. Mother l said.-
There was no reply. Still no answer.
listened and heard faint breathing. 'Al
she has fallen asleep thought |; it is early
and | will not disturb her. A little more
sleep will do her good
Then commenced another chapter. Il
was exciting, very, and so | read on, so Who'll
ly absorbed that thought not of my moth
er.
why, Miss JESSIE knocked and knock
cd, but not hearing any sound, though
you must be asleep ye, said voice besid
me at lenghth.
We'll. what's wanting Ann?' inquired I
little impatiently, without raising my eye.
why, rang the bell twice for break fast
and you did not come, so | thought mus
just come in and see if anything was the
matter. And seeing it was time for youl
mothers breakfast. have brought her some
toast and tea along, and | should inst like tc
know how mistress is this morning?'
She is very comfortable, Ann | replied
hastily; she has been awake, but she ha
fallen asleep again. She has had nice nal
this morning.
well, its glad | am to hear it, for she ha:
looked miserable these few days past
Miserable! you are mistaken, Ann; sh'
has looked better than usual. | think sh'
improves every day
| At this Ann shook her head omniously
and went out. ! was preparing to resume
my reading, but AIMS words had made me
nervous and my mothers toast and tea were
getting cold. SO laid down my book and
weut softly into the other room. approa,
ehed the bed.-My mother looked so calm
and peaceful could not bear to disturb her
But is was past her unsual breakfast houl
and l called, Mother. motherl' bat she did
not stir. stopped and kissed her white
brow-it chilled my lips. | raised her in
my arms, shook her. | Shrieked in hel
ears, "Motherl motherl Oh, my mother' But
the warm DTcatD CHfllc not 10 UeT ueaT Ieps
the pulse was still; the heart was still. My
mother was dead-dead! She had died alone
died while 1, her nndutiful child, unmind-
full Of her earnest, doing call, was Engaged in
the adjoining room reading a novel! Yes, a
novel deprived me to my mothers last kiss
of my mothers dying blessing! Oh the
anguish of that hour
Years have passed by, but deep, abiding
sorrow is with me. My mothers dying
call is over sounding in my ears, piercing
my heart with untold anguish.
Reader, have you ever though disobeciencc
or neglect sighted a mothers call? If you
have, do so more. Every listen to her voice
and hasten cheerfully to obey her slightest
wish as well as her serious mandates. Do
this and wen the grave closes over her and
shuts forever from your sight you will have
nothing with which to reproach yourselve
Tears Of sorrow oedewing her memory will!
not be mingled with those of remorss.
eD.N -us-
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