The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1868-12-11
The URespected Son.

derson arrived with his family ut his ma
tive town. Putting up at the little inn, he
proceeded to dress himself In a suit OF
sailor clothes, and then walked out alone,
BY by-path he well knew, and then
throug shady lane, dear to his young
hazel.nutting days, all strangely un.
changed, he approached his mothers cot.
tage, He stopped for moment on the
lawn outside, to curb down the heart
that was bounding to meet that mother,
und to clear his eyes of q sudden mist Of
happy tears. Through the open window
he caught glimpse Of her, sitting alone
at her spinning wheel, as In the old time.
But alas, how changed! Bowed was the
dear form, once 30 erect, and dlmmed
the eyes, once SO full Of tender bright
ness, like dew-stained violets. But thu
voice, with which she was grooming softly
to herself, was still sweet and on hsi
cheek the same lovlely peach-bloom Of
twenty years ago.
At length he knocked, and the dear re-
membered voice called to him In the
simple old fashioned way-"Coms ben "
(come in.) The widow rose at sight Of a
stranger, and courteously offered him q
chair. Thanking her In an assumed voice,
somewhat gruff, he sank down, rs though
wcaried, saying that he was way-farer
strange to the country, and asking the way
to the next town, The twilight favored
him In his little ruse ; he Saw that she did
not recognize him even as any one she
had ever seen. But aftcr giving him the
Information he desired, she asked him Il
he was a Scotsman by birth. "Yes,
madam," he replied "but have been
away In foreign parts many years.
doubt II my own mother would know me
now, though she was very fond Of me
before went to sea-"
"Ah, mon! It's little ye ken about mlth-
ers, gin ye think sac. I can tell ye there
Is ma mortal memory like THEIRS" the
widow somewhat warmly replied then
added-''whaur hae yc been for sac lang
a time, that ye hae lost a the Scotch frae
your speech ?"
"In India-in Calcutta madam"
"Ah then, Its likely ye ken something o.
my son. Mr.. Malcom Anderson"
Anderson" repeated the visitor, as
though striving to remember. "There
may be many Of that name In Calcutta; |;
but Is your son u rich merchant, and man
about my sizo and age, with something
such figure headT"
uMy son Is o rich merchant" replied
the widow, proudly, "but he Is younger
than you by mony year, and begging
your pardon, sir, far BONNER. He Is tall
and straight, WI hands and feet like . las
sic's, he had brown, curly hair, sac thick
and glossy! and checks like tho rose, and
q brow like the snaw, and the blue cen,
WI CLINT In them, like the light Of the
evening star!-Na, M, ye ara no like my
Malcolm though ye are a guild enough
body, dlnna doobt, and decent won.
ans son."
Here tho masqueradlng merchant con-
taken down, mada movement
rs though to leave, but the good dame
stayed him, saying: "Gln ye hac travelled
a. the way frae India, ye mann be tired
and hungry. BIde . bit, and eat and
drink wi us. Mallory! come doom, and
let US set on the support"
The two women soon provided quito o
repast, and they all three sat
down to it-Mrs. Anderson reverently
asking . blessing; but the merchant
could not eat. He was only hungry for
his mothers kisses-only thirsty for her
joyful recognition yet he could not bring
himself to say to her-"I am your son"
He asked himself, half grieved, hal
"where are the unerring, natu-
raj instincts have read about In poetry
and novelsr'
His hostess seeing he did not cat, kind
ly asked II he could suggest anything he
would be likely to relish. ~ thank you
he answered; "t does seem 70
mo that should like some oatmea por
ridge, such a. my mother used TO MAKE
Il 90 be you have any,"
"Porridgsr' repeated the widow. "a. An
"a mean Psyrtsea. Yes, wc hae . little
len ftss our dinner. Clio Ito me, Ma)ory.
But, mon, It's cauld." ;. -.
.Never mind. know I shall like IL"
be r,,olped, taking the bowl, and begin
pins 10 stir the porridgs with . spoon
An he did %, Mrs.. Andersou gave q slight
sfsrt, and bent eagerly towards him