Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1870-07-07
HOTHER's STAFF.

HOTHER'S STAFF.
Lean on me, mother dear"
You are not strong enough to bear
me, Ernest"
"Yes am, mother; and if I were q
man would carry you, instead Of letting
you walk"
ut will do me good to walk, thank
you, my boy"
swell, lean as heavily on my shoulders
as you can. shall be glad when I am
tall enough for you to take my arm !"
and Ernest Strengthened himself proudly,
and looked as much like man as he pos
sibly could
Mrs. Fletcher had been i'll. For several
weeks she had not left her bed, and the
house had to be kept quite still, for fear
of her being disturbed. The doctor came
to see her every day, and for long time
he always went away with very grave
face, for she seemed to get worse instead
of better. But at length, when Ernest
had feared and prayed, and waited for q
long time, change took place, and the
doctors face looked brighter and he told
the nurse that he thought Mrs Fletcher
would recover now, If great care was
taken. She soon told Ernest, for she
knew that he loved his mother, and he
was so glad and thankful that he could
not say so often enough.
Mrs. Fletcher had no daughters, and
only one son. 1t would have been very
cad indeed If he had been q bad boy.
But he was too fond of his mother for
that he loved her so we'll that for her
sake he tried to do right always; and
yyUh hat at tko ~oes ha
could have had, 1t was one which all boys
should feel.
Ernest waited upon his neither as
quietly and tenderly as girl could have
done 1t. He brought her fresh spring
flowers, primroses and viOlsts, and every
thing he could find. With his own pock.
ct money he bought her some oranges and
grapes, and any nice thing he fancied she
would like. Al soon - she was well
enough to listen, he brought book, and
sat by her bedside reading 1t to her and
when she was tired he sat quite still, and
did not disturb her. When he had learned
any fresh pieces to sing, he sang to his
mother, and If anything happened that he
thought she would like to hear, he always
told her.
The boys wondered that Ernest did not
come out to play more frequently, but he
was quite happy to stay with his dear
mother.
"You are the best mother In all the
world" he said, and would rather not
leave you"
But the very happiest time was when
Mrs. r. was well enough TO take . short
walk. As she was still very feeble and
weak, she asked Ernest to 20 with her,
and 1t was then that he said, Lean on
me, mother"
They did not walk far, but Ernest
thought good deal. 1t was 90 nice to
feel his dear mother leaning upon him,
that he thanked God who had spared her
and he made q resolution which he in
tended to keep. II was that, whatever
else he failed In, and he would do his best
In all respects, he would never be any
other than kind and loving TO his mother.
She noticed how quiet he was, and
spoke TO him presently.
"What are you thinking OF, Ernest"
am thinking that should Ike to be
mothers staff a. long - live" He said.
II you remain q you are now, my
son, I think you will be-" said his mother.
Il hope that God will spare you to become
. good man, and to live an upright life,
20 that your mother may never have to
weep over your wrong doing.
II hope 80 too, mother" said Ernest,
thoughthlly.
This was when he was about ten years
old.
When he was twelve his father died.
II II Q sad thing to lose ones father, and
Ernest felt 90. But think It 10 ssddeS
still for some boys when the mother dies.
Ernest had his mother left, and a. he stood
by his fathers grave he thanked God for
that.
Dear mother, she has only me left
now" he said to himself. II win be all
can to her. I will try To make up as
much as possible for my fathers loss"
When he went home he found his
mother on the sofa, weeping bitterly.
Ernest went 10 her, and put his arms
around her, and lifted her head on his
shou'dsr.
"Dear mother, don't cry" he said.
" Lean on me. l will try to be . gosd son
TO you always"
And his words comforted his mother,
and made her sorrow the easier 70 besr.
Besides, he kept his word He took his
mother out when she wished To 20; he
stayed at home with her when she pre-
ferred doing 30. He eaved her - many
steps as he could he almost knew what
she wanted before she asked Ser Il, be-
cause he watched her 20 anyiOasly.
She used to say, sometimee, 20, Ernest,
| do not know what ! should do without
my SON"
When he was fourteen years old, an
other. trouble happened 10 his mother.
Nearly all the money that she had was
lost She had given Il TO some ono to take
care Of for her, and through some care
lessness the money v - wasted She WAS
very much distressesl about it
~ do not know what 4 TO become Of
us the money tn At ID left ID not enough
TO keep us, and ] cannot zee what We are
TO de-" And s.gain Ernest said, "Lean
on me, mother dear!
He left school directly. though no had
hoped 70 say several years longer, and
then 20 70 college.
The idfae, however, was given up %
once, AMI Ernsst tried 70 got situation.
His teeIchers al Recommended him, md
ErnsA had 20 many friends % speak good
words for him that he had no dtmculty
Hrlbecams clerk h q 0hlcs. At hf1t,
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