Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1871-01-14

Mother, I will he everything to
you that | can be; promise you
That"
The boy lifted his head. A look
of high resolve made the young brow
man-liie in expression. Not yet had
ten summers deepened the gold on
those fair locks. The earnest blue
eyes looked fondly on the faded face
that beat over him. There was a
world of love in his soul-a love that
was not only deep, but was proved
by acts of sclf.denal.
The words are beautiful enough to
he repeated. Henry Locke smiled,
because rs he spoke there came tears
to his mothers eyes. He had that
morning been promised place in II
country store, live miles from the cot,
or rat her cabin, where they lived. 1t
was but asmall pittance but of late
the mother had grown so feeble that
she could earn nothing; could scarce
~ do the little that order and neat
ness called for at her hands.
One dollar IA week 1t was n very
little sum, but better, much better,
than nothing. Besides, Henry was
to have his meals with his employer,
and could, if he chose, sleep there.
But he did not choose. For glad
smile from mother; for the pressure
of that feeble hand for the tender
/ Christian words tina. came from those
pale lips, he was bravtly willing,
after the days hard work, to walk
the five miles, dark and tedious
though the way was. Often he came
bringing some little delicacy that he
had earned, and which was sweet to
the invalid because he brought it.
/ One night the sky was curtained
with clouds. The widow looked
from her little window facing the
hilly road along which tie hay
wagons went on their way to the city,
and said, as she saw the twilight
deepening earlier than its wont: "He
will not come Tonight"
/ No; he would not surely come that
night. The wind blew fiercely, and
sent the branches of the old apple
tree rattling against the clap-boards
and threw the rain, as with IA spite,
over the little windows, slccting
them and making dreary music. So
the widow, quite confident that
/ Henry would not venture out in that
storm, read her Bible till her heart
/ kindlcd with the holy words, and
putting out her little light, went Ia
nog rest.
She knew not how long she had
slept, when n voice awakened her.
The sweet voice, 50 dear tn her, was
crying, Mother, Mother!" Al
first she thought it dream bul
listening intently, she heard, blending
with the wall of the wind, that cry
and II sound against the latch greeted
her. Instantly arising, she gropeC
for light, unfastcncd the door, anC
behold, there stood Henry, pitcous
sight, indeed, covered with mire, lit
orally from head to foot. His fac,
was wet; but the honest, happy
smile was no ways abated.
"My boy, how could you come on
such night ~ exclaimed the widow
4 why, mother, storm could moi
keep me away from you,h was hi'
hearty response. ~ have had tn,
greatest time, though, you ever di,
see-lost my way, got into the creek
and it must he midnight; but
meant 10 come, for s. gave me ,
trlle over tonight, and knew yol
needed it,"
My dear boy ~ sprung from tn,
mothers full heart, with n tear ol
two that trickled down her pal,
cheeks.
81 wonder | have not thought he,
fore" she said musingly. "Aftel
this, will put light in the window
To be sure il will not show fair; hu
when you get 10 the top of the hill
il will he pleasant To see IT, and know
that am watching for you
For three years the lamp was pla eC
i'm the little window every night
People often remarked it; and "a
bright ~ Mother Lockc's little win
dow hecamc II faVorile saying.
At the end of that time, youn4
Henry was Offered good chance or
board n whaling vessel, aud he re
solved Ia accept it. ltcost him, none
knew What IA struggle, To part will
the heinz lac loved with an ahnos
wurshilil affection. But he knew
the tim, had come when he must Z,
forth into the world tn do battle fo
her; and n sailors life was his covct
ed calling,
alt seems to me, Henry" said tn
. mother, when with tlemulous III
p she parted from him, "Hs IL | mus
/, still put tight In the little window
= | shall think sometimes | hear th
9 sound of footsteps, the click of III,
u latch, and your pleasant voice,
cItnry, Henry, If could but ligh
Won ,,Npr tho .fprnnS WltplS ~