Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1871-06-01
A MOTHERS STRUGGLE.

The innocent reproof creDt to my heart.
A MOTHERS STRUGGLE.
THE following touching Narrative Of the abduc
ton and final recovery of child IN this city, wa
written for MS by lady who was acquainted VIII
all the circumstances In the case, and VINO giyf
assurance that the facts are just as related, Xo
figured therein, which. for obvious reas0Y
not diyulged. -Anaeyican Odd FeiloW.1
God only knew how that poo and
had suffered. She had given hg ,;e ana =
hand to one of her own staK sh ~ i invsd :
hard working mechanic. ob Ic was was
her husband above all eaHib e oD her t Mat
plainly evident, for he Ionn ho3,, a,on ns
and only love. Shes 'p yne,he "Jm "'o o;s
In the world-fath J1' rnw che '1 t,~n o.a
ter,ess ppro pro hnd, with all the worship
ue n'n l. ner - 3soul and sympathetic ma
.a Shn rned for love returned, such
suiI. S6reamed of, such as she felt for
as she 1she had reason to believe that
nm, found it.
Sh1 first year Of her married life was
./of joy, and the second equally 30 but
Acre was the addition of anticipation, for
<she was to become a mother She hoped
soon to gaze upon bright-eyed boy, and
she prayed that he might be the image of
his father, and that, growing up, he would
possess the virtues of his sire. And with
each day her happiness seemed to in
crease. Never before had her husband
appeared so noble in her eyes, and never
before had she fully realized how very
dear he was TO hcr-hOw necessary to her
life.
One morning, as was his custom, he left
her for his daily toll. He had over and
over again printed kisses Of affection upon
her lips, but still she chung to him, until
tears started into her eyes, and she ex-
claimed
"Oh, George, why is it that I cannot
bear this parting? Don't think me fool
ish, but it seems as II must cling to you
and weep-weep for very Joy, for my heart
Is 90 full Am / not too happy? Will
such Joy last through lifcy"
Playfully the husband patted her cheeks,
kissed her lips once more, and left her for
his work. As long as possible she watch
his retreating form, and then she turned
to household duties, and as she did 80,
tried to sing and smile; but something
choked her utterance, and tears would fill
her eyes in spite of all she could do.
Slowly the day dragged on, and the
supper hour was approaching The table
had been spread with more than usual
care, and dish provided of which the
husband was very fond.
"In ten minutes he will be here" she
murmured; but at that very instant she
was startled by the violent ringing of the
door bell. She knew not why but her
heart beat with great rapidity, as she pro-
ceeded to answer the summons. She
opened the door, and saw half dozen
men standing there. Not one Of them
spoke, but they advanced into the hallway,
and from thence into little parlor, where
they deposited heavy burden they had
brought with them.
The wife had watched all this with
cheeks as pale as death, and with blood.
less quivering lips but no sound had she
uttered. Then she stepped forward and
placed her hand upon the blanket which
covered some bulky object She attempt
seized her, and she paused, yet only for q
moment. Then she removed the blanket
She did not shrink or faint, but she ap.
peared even calm under the circumstances
for there was the outstretched form Of
George Avery, her husband; and he
moved not. There could be no mistake
for there were the very garments he had
worn in parting from her that morning
But the face was 80 covered with blood
that the features could not be distin
guished.
Even yet, without word, q murmur
or q sigh, she proceeded to procure water
and with her own hands she washed away
the gore. Yes, 1t was Her husbands face
but pale, and the eyes expressionless, TO-
he was dead.
SLOW did this happens" she asked
turning to one Of the men.
"POOr George fell from the building
upon which he had been at work, just a
he was speaking of his home, and Of tn.
ending of another week of toll. He never
spoke after he struck the ground"
The poor wife did not sink under the
blow. She did not even weep; but there
seemed to be an unnatural light in hel
eyes, and an unaccountable calmness about
her. But she would not leave the corpse
Preparations were made for its burial but
still she remained by its side, holding the
dead hand in her own, and sometimes
kissing the cold lips. She talked to it
even Is she would have done in life; and
90 the time passed on until the final part.
not weep, although II was found necessary
to support her, for che could not stand.
And now she returned to her desolate
home, alone, although mot long to remain
70: Tor her child was born As she had
hoped, It was q boy, and - she gazed upon
Il, she whispered:
81 But for this, I could not have lived
but for this, should have been placed be-
aide my husband. But have sacred
duty now to perform. God help me to be
faithful TO my charge"
Eighteen months passed slowly by, dur.
ing which time the mother struggled nobly
on To her the ctild was strength. Those