New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-12-25

while he was here she had done her best to turn inc
dark side of life to him. God knows she had loved
him had worked and saved money. III was the
triAes wherein she had failed. She had forgo'teh
the thousand little loving acts the tender WORDS inc
welcoming kisses the countless home pleasures that
cost nothing, which would have made life dear ana
bappy for him. She had made Gods good world
meager and bare for HIM. Now he was gone. She
stood alone. with the mOney-the money! Streton
her hands as she would to him across the gulf OF
death no kind word or loving touch OF hers could
ever reach him now. ,
But her boyi He was not dead! She felt bersen
growing blind and sat down. God would give her
her boy again.
The boat grated with q sudden jar. There was q
clankng of chains and then she lifted on to the
wet, slippery deck of the steamer. The men whis-
pered eagerly apart then the captain came up to her.
twill take you to your son, madam" he said,
gently. "You-you are prepared for change In
himT
She could not speak. He led her to q sheltered
part of the deck where a group of men were gath
cred 1--WE brought him up a few moments ago." nc
whispered. ave thought it best to humor HIM. lie
wanted to be in the fresh air-at the last"
That's so, capp cried husky voice inside the
crowd, with an oath 81 hear you! Bob Firth s not
the man to die like rat in hOlep
The men about him drew back for her in silence.
The great boated man lying in the midst OF them
the seal of death on his SCARED purple face-that
was her little Robbyl He did not notice her at hrst
talking to the police-offcer, who was wetting his
lps tenderly enough. Il told you I'd balk you,
Johns with haf-laugh. There was something
yet of the old genial sweet ring in his voice.
"Let that 60 Firth. Look here" She had knelt
beside him.
4 l.
"Motherp A spasm of pain came on which they
thought would be the last; but in the midst OF It, he
suddenly touched her hair gently-an old affection
ate trick which he had when he was boy. He re-
vived after while, and lay quiet His head rested
on a woman's breast-a far-haired, pretty girl.
When his mother came, the men would have led her
away, but he stopped them, swearing at them. NO,
she's not my wife. But Milly loved me-"
They were all busted about him; he was Robert
TO them all seemed to come close 70 them, fcon as
he was His mother held his hand which grew colder,
each moment in her own but his head rested on the
heart of the woman who had led him into SIM She
had taught him to love her and kept her hold upon
his soul at the last.
"Pd like to make you my wife, before go Milly,"
he said "You did the best you could for me, poor
girl, but you did MT know what was right. No. you
did MT know" His eyes wandering Off to the dark
space into which he was going so soon, alone, grew
stern and solemn. They all knew then that lie
looked into death, and that which lay beyond.
She came up close to him-hs mother; Robert
she said. "My son-do you trust in GodP
He thrust her back suddenly. Don't talk to me
of God now. learned to hate Him when was a
bow. and Pve never been able TO bring myself to
No matter. It's to late" He shut his eyes, but
looked up at her in q minute Don't worry mother.
You had your chance once but you lost 1t somehow.
TIA only Bob Firth that's gone under"
There was silence. The captain, whose hand twas
on the breast of the dying man, took 1T away, ana
gently closed the shirt two sailors passing by
the outskirts of the crowd stopped and buried their
heads.
Hes going with the tide" they muttered to one
another.
Underneath them in the gathering night the nm
resting sea rose and fell; out of the distance came
the inartculate wall like lost soul, gone from those
who vainly followed whose hold had slipped from IL
forever.
She crept closer She could not yet believe that
God would take him from her; she put her hands on
his lips-the lips that long ago had drawn the milk
from her withered breast-but they were icy cold;
they would never answer her again. His eyes grew
fixed The awful inscrutable meaning deepcned IN
them as the path in which he to tread opened
before him.
Robert" she cried Robert"
II was too late Wherein that path might lead, no
voice or hand of hers had power to stay him now
Then she remembered the years, the countless days
and nights when her boys head had no pillow but
her breast when the little hands stretched ont
and the little heart ready for mother" TO make
them strong, and pure, and holy.
She had not had time to know her boy then!
Now They would have taken her away; she
lifted her head-there was a white face
"Why, mother mother, wake" The lamp burned
dimly. There was a red, chubby face close to her
own, and two stout little tugging at her neck.
In another moment she was on the floor, straininR
him to her heart, and crying out, "Was it Robbyf
and was it not too late 7 and had she yet little
time-a little timer Presently she lay down in the
trundle-bed trembling and sobbing, with the fright
ened child his head upon her breast, not withered
but soft and white, pettng and soothing him in
way that in all Rob's life he had never known be
FORE When he asleep she tried to pray But
she could remember none Of the adjurations for
mercy she ordinarily used she only saw smiling
child in the stable, with the kings and lowly