The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1865-03-02
THE WIDOWS ONLY SON.

that l can be; promise you that
: The boy lifted his head. A look OF
high resolve made the young brow mar
: like in expression Not vet had ten
summers deepened the gold on those
fair locks. The earnest blue eyes look
ed fondly in the face that bent over him.
There was a world of love in this SON
: love that was not lip-deep, but was
proved by acts of self denial
/, They were poor-that mother and son
oh, how poor they were. You could
almost see how poverty had drifted over
!; everything about them. d ifted over the
pine chairs and table-drifted over the
humble quilt that had grown so faded
drifted over their clothes, and through
them. till patch after patch was placed in
the sad havoc that pittless, drifting wan
had made.
But in holy heart love they were rich
er than the Rothschilds; yes. out of their
bank in heaven-that bank directors here
might sneer at-they drew every day
every hour. uncounted treasure
''Nother, / will be everything to yor.
that l can be; l promise you that
The words are beautiful enough to b !
repeated Henry Locke smiled, becaus.
as he spoke there came tears to his!
mothers eyes. He had that mornin 1
been promised place in little coun
try store-fve miles from the cot, oi
rather cabin, where they lived 1t wa4
but small pittance; but of late thd
mother had grown so feeble that shd
could earn nothing; could scarcely dd
the little that order and neatness called
for at her hands.
One dollar week, 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 choose. sleep there-But he did NOT
| choose. For glad smile from mother
for pressure of that feeble hand foN
| the tender christian words that camd
from those pale lips, he was bravely will
| ing, after his hard days work, to WALK
the FIVE miles, dark and tedious though
the way was. Often he came bringinJ
| some little delicacy that he had earne,,
and which was sweet to the invalid, be
cause he had brought it,
One night the sky was curtained with,
clouds. The widow looked from heI
little window facing the hilly road alond
which the hay wagons went on their waH
to the city, and said, as she saw the twill
light deepening earlier than it's wont,i
He will not come to night"
No; he would not surely come thai
night. The wind blew fercely, and
sent the branches Of the old apple tired
rattling against the clapboards, antj
threw the rain as with spite, over thJ
little windows, sheeting them and
making dreary music SO the widow
quite confident that Henry wonld moi
venture out in that storm, read her Bibld
till her heart kindled with the holI
words, and putting out her little ligh(
went to rest.
She knew not how long she had slept
when voice awakened her. The sweet
voice so dear to her, was crying: Moth
er, mother! At first she thought il 4
dream. but, listening intently, she heard
blending with the wall of the wind, that
cry, and sound against the latch, greeted
her. Instantly rising she CROPPED for Il
light, unfastened the door, and behold
there stood Henry piteous sight in
deed. covered with mire, literally from
head to foot His face was wet: buj
the honest happy smile was by no wayi
abated.
my boy, how could you come on suclt
night?' exclaimed the widow
''Why, mother, the storm could moi
keep me from you," was the hearty re-
sponse. I've had the greatest time.
though, you ever did see-lost nv wav,
night but meant to come. for gava
me tride over to night, and knew howl
much you needed it"
MY dear boyr' sprang from the motht
er's full heart, with a tear or two thai
trickled down her pale checks.
II wonder / haven't thought before
she said musingly. After this I'll pui
light in the window To be sure Il
won't show far; but when you get to til |
top of the hill, it will be pleasant to Sc
it, and know that l am watching fol
you"
For three years the lamp was placed
in the little window every night. Peoi
pie often remarked it; and '.as bright aS
Mother Locke's little window" became
favorite saying.
At the end of that time, Young Henrv4
was offered n good chance on board of a,
whaling vessel and he resolved to accept
it 1t cost him none know what strurl
gle to part from the being he loved with
an almost worshipped affection But he
knew the time had come when he must
60 forth into the world to do battle for
himself and for her: and a sailors life
was his coveted calling
1T seems to me, Henry" said the
mother, when with a trembling lip. she
L
put the light in the little window, L shall
think sometimes ! hear the sound o.
your footsteps, the click of the latch and
your pleasant voice. Oh Henry, Henry.
if could but light you over the stormy
water -
Mother, God win do that" said Hen
~ pointing 70 the glowing heavens
'.God will light me through storm and
through calm, but, mother, 1 shall
think every night that the lamp is in the
window; that somebody hlesses YOU for
the guiding ray, and, above all, that YOU
are praying for me.
The long voyage was almost ended.
but another voyage was to end before
that The widow Locke was taken i'll
Yet with unfsiling regularity. with feeble
step and tremulous hand. nightly the
dear woman trimmed the little lamp, and
placed it in the window. Still when the