The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1867-08-22


And waves that sway themselves IN rest,
And deep calm in that noble breast,
Which heaves bnt with the hccving deep
--TENNYsoN.
It was evening" beautiful autumn
evening. The red leaves yet danced
rejoicing in the mild air the yellow
sunshine yet gilied the hill,tops, and
the soft shadows were creeping silently
up the valley, as the gentle widow Lee
dom, with her child in her arms, wend.
ing her way homeward.
She was tired, for she had toiled all
day in Farmer Woods kitchen, and
though it was Saturday evening, she
had not been paid for her labor The
kind-hearted house maid at Farmer
Woods had urged her to wait for her
:, supper, but she thought of her hungry
little ones at home, and she could not
stay.
She had no eye for the glory of that
superb October sunset rs she walked
YEARLY on, her tired arms scarcely
able to hold the little joyous creature
that laughed and crowed, and ever and
anon poercd into hcl bonnet, lisping
his swcct-toned Mamma, Mamma -
She thought only of her expectant little
ones, and the means of obtaining bread
for them to last over Sunday.
AS she neared the village she seemed
irresolute whether to enter in or pass
on but vision of her lonely, fasting
children rose up before her imagina-
ton, and she stopped, her lips moved
a moment or two, as if in prayer, and
then quickening her step and hurrying
on, like one who has ncrved herself to
studded resolution, she turned into
the main street, and was soon standing
before the counter Of the bakers shop.
The baker was an austcrc man, but it
was not in human nature to resist The
widows pleading tone and touching
expression as she falteringly asked him
to truss her for loaf Of bread for
day or two. The mau handed the loaf
reluctantly, and was about to insist on
prompt payment, when glance at the
widows painfully flushed and embar-
rassed manner deferred him. With
scarcely audible thanks, she concealed
the loaf under her tattcred shawl, and,
drawing her babe closer to her bos som,
hastened home.
Mothers come mothers come
cried couple of young, eager voices,
az she entered the gate. and her seven.
year old Robert and his little sister
came running to meet her.
They were pretty children. The lit
tie Mary inherited her mothers mild
blue eyes and delicate complexion, and
The boy his fathers handsome face and
honest brown eyes. Poor children,
they were accostumed to being left
alone, for the widow went cut to work
daily, and the night was always vel.
come that brought their mothers loved
return. They had thousand things
to ask and tell, which fell uuheeded
this time on the ear of the sad mother,
though she instinctivcly answere
them yes aud no. as occasion re.
quired. She gave the loaf to Robert,
aud taking little Mary's hand, they en-.
tered the house together. The table
was already set out by the little, ex.
pectant household, out there was moth
ing on it that could be construed into
anything eatable, save a cup of molas.
ses and some salt, The mother cut
slice Of bread for each Of her half-fam.
ishing children, and sat quietly by, nurs,
ing the youngest whilst they ate it, for
she had no heart to eat herself.
She was very sorrowful as she look
ed at those dependent little beings and
of her falling strength and
shading her eyes with her hand, the
tears stole silently down her pale pa
tient face, and fell among the bright
curls Of the little unconscious head ,
pilowcd so peacefully on her bosom.
She had been sorely afflicted. The
husband Of her youth had been stricken
down by falling beam while attempt,
ng to save a sick child, that had been /
overlooked in the hurry aud panic,
rom a burning building. The child
was saved, but he who periled his life l
or it, the strong brave-hearted mau, l
had perished.
The fruit of this union, her eldest
born, the pride or her heart, the noble
boy whose every movement and ex- ::
preston had been as many smiles o. !
his buried father, was a wandercr, she
knew not whittier. ;
Years after the boy had left her,
vixen Robert Leedom came often to '
see her in her loneliness, and vcntured |
to tell her at length how he had loved '
her from the time they had played to-, '
gcther at school, and how he had re,
manned single for her sake, aud came
back always to the same air that she
aud besought her to let HIM
sustain and shield her, to comfort her
in sickness and sorrow, she gladdened
the honest sailors faithful heart by
consenting to become his wife
No wonder the young sailor loved
her she was 30 neat in her habits, so
gentle and industrious aud her calm