The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1864-03-10
A BEAUTIFUL SKETCH.
THE WIDOW AND HER SON.

3
"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
manlile in expression. Not yet had
ten summers deepened the gold on
those fair locks. The earnest blue eyes
looked Gopdly in the faded face that
bent over him. There was world of
love in his soul love that was not
only lip deep, but was proved by acts
of sch denial.
The words aro beautiful enough to
DO repeated. Henry Locke smiled, be-
cause as he spoke there came tears to
his mothers eyes. He had that morn
ing been promised place in coun-
try store, five miles from the cottage,
or rather cabin, where they lived. 1t
was small pittanoc, 5pt of late the
mother had grown so feeble that she
could earn nothing, could scarcely do
the littlethat order and neatnoss called
for at her hands.
Ono dollar weckt 1t was a very
little sum, but better, much better,
than nothing. Besides, Henry was to
have his meals with his 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 tender Christina words
that came from those pale lips, ifc was
bravely willing, stter the days hasd
work, to walk five miles, dark and to-
dious though the night was. Often he
came bringing soHIe little delicacy that
he had earned, and which was sweet to
the invalid because he brought it.
One night the sky was curtaincd
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
is wont, 'IIc will not come homo to-
night"
No: he would not surely como that
night. The wind blew fercely, and
sent the branches Of the old apple tree
rafting against the clapboards, and
threw the rain as with a spite, over
the little windows, sheetiag and ma
king drcaly music. So the widow,
quite confident that Henry would not
venture out in that storm, read her BIZ
bic till her heart kindled with the ho-
ly words, and putting out her little
light, went to her rest.
She knew not how long she had
slept, when q voice awakened her.
The sweet voice, so dear to her, was
crying-'Mother, motherr At first
she thought it was dream; but list
oning intently, she heard, blending
with tho wall of the wind, that cry,
and q sound against the latch greeted
her. Instantly rising she grouped for
light, unfastenod 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 no
ways abatcd.
My boy, how could you como ON
such nightT exclaimed the widow.
why mother, storm couldt keep me
away from you,' was the hearty re-
sponse, I've had the greatest time
though, you ever did sce-lost my way
got into tho creek, and it must be mid
night; but i meant to come, for S.
gavc mo trife over tonight, and /
knew you needed it.
My dear boyr sprung from the
mothers full hear, with tear or two
that trickled down her pale check.
i wonder / haven't thought. before,
shesaid musingly. After this III put
a light in the window. To be sure, it
won't show far, but when you get to
the top of the hill it will be pleasant
to sec it, and know that l am waiting
for you
For three years the lamp was placed
in the little window every night
People often remarked, and 'as bright
as Mother Locke's little window be-
came tavorlte saying.
AT tho end Of that time young Hen
Iy was offered a good chance on board
whaling vessel, and he resolved to
accept it 1t cost him none knew what
a struggle, to part from the being he
loved with an almost worshipful affec-
tion. But he new the time had come
when he must go forth to do battle for
himself and for her; and sailors life
was his coveted calling
,I'It seems to me, Henry said the