Smyrna times., 1871-07-19
A Strange Guest.

In little post town among the highlands |
Of Scotland, far away from any great city, there |
lived, a few, years ago, awoman much respect,
ed and well beloved, though of lowly and |
humble tortune-one Mrs. Jean Anderson. |
She had been left widow, with one son, the |
youngest and last Of several children.
She was poor, and her industry was taxed to |
the utmost 70 keep herself aud son, fine,
clever lad, and she gave him the education he
ardently desired. At the early age of sixteen
Malcolm Anderson resolved to seek his fortune
in the wide world and become sailor. tie
made several voyages to India and China, and
always, like the good boy he was, brought
some useful present home to- his mother, to
whom he gave large portion Of his earnings
But he never liked q seataring life, though
he grew strong and stalwart in it, and when
about nineteen he obtained an humble position
in a large mercantile house in Calcutta, where,
being shrewd, enterprisng and honest, like
most of his countrymen, he gradually rose TO
| place Of trust and importance, and finally to
partner As his fortune improved his moth
er's circumstances were made easier. He re-
mitted money to secure her the old cottage
home, repaired and enlarged with garden and
lawn and placed at her command annually a
sum sufficient TO meet all her wants, and to pay
the wages of faithful servant, or rather com
panion; for the brisk, independent old lady
st0utly refused to be served by any one.
Entangled in business cares, Mr.. Anderson
never found time and freedom for a long vOy-
age and a visit home till at last failing health
and the necessity of educating his children
compelled him to abruptly wind up his affairs
and return to Scotland. He was then a man
| somewhat over rforty but looking far older thar
his years. showing all the usual effects Of the
: trying climate OF India. He was gray anC
somewhat bald, with here and there a dash O
, white in bis dark auburn beard was thin anC
little bent, but his youthful smile remained
r full of quiet drollery, and his eye had not los
: its old and gleeful sparkle by poring over ledg
] er and counting rupees.
e He had married a countrywOman, the
daughter of Scotch surgeon, and had tive
children, son and daughter. He did no
write to his good mother that he was comlns
e home, as he wished TO surprise her, and ties
e her memory of her sailor boy. The voyag
S was made in safety.
e One summer afternoon Mr. Malcolm Ander
# son arrived with his family at his native town
IS Putting up at little inn, he proceeded to dres
e himself in a suit of sailor clotheS and the
e walked out alone by by-pRth he we'll knew
a and then through shady lane, dear to hi
IS young hazel-nutting days, all strangely Ut
changed, he approached his mothers cottage
1t He stopped for a moment on the lawn Outsld
l. to curb down the heart that was bounding I
n meet that mother, and clear his eyes of littl
L mist of tears. Through the open window j
,e caught glimpse of her sitting alone at tn
'e spinning wheel, as in the old time. But alas
lie how changed Bowed was the dear old form
r once so erect, and sivered the locks so brown
y and dimmed the eyes once so full of tende
p, brightness like dew stained viOlets. But tn
in voice, with which she was grooming softly t
of herself, was still sweet, and there was on he
}; cheek the same lovely peach-boom of twent
l: years ago.
ID At length he knocked, and tho dear remen
of bered voice called to him, Coon ben !" com
le in. The widow rose at sight of the strange
"a and courteously offered him a chair. Thanl
lie ing her in an assumed voice somewhat gruf
n. he sank down, as though wearied, saying h
h. was wayfarer, stranger to the country, an
er asked the way to the next town. The twlligt
en- favored him in his little ruse he saw that sh
nd did not recognize him even as one she ha
Is. ever known. But after giving him the il
of formation he desired, she asked him if
~ were Scotchman by birth.
he "Yes, madam" he replied, "but [ hay
IL been away in foreign parts many years.
DIS doubt if my own mother would know me nov
:" though she was very fond of me before l wei
ito away to sea-.
of "Ah noon it's little ken about mithers &