Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1873-06-19
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Tho Widows Bon.

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that can be 1 promise you that"
The boy lifted his head. A look Of
high resolve made the young brow
manlike in expression. Not yet hsd
ten summers deepened the gold on
those fair locks. The earnest blue
ewes looked fOndly in the face that
bent over him. There was a world Of
love in his soul-a love that was sylt
only lip deep, but was proved by aul.
Of self-dcnial.
They were poor-that mother and
son-oh, how poor they we're! You
could almost see how poverty had
drifted over everything about them-
dxifted over the pine chairs and tables
-drifted over the humble quilt that
had grown so faded -driftcd over their
clothes and through them, till patch
and patch we're placed on the sad
havoc that pitiless, drifting want had
made.
But in holy heart-love they were
richer than the Rothschilds; yes, out
Of their bank in heaven-that bank
directors here might sneer at-they
drew every day, every hour. uncounted
treasure.
"Mother, l will be every thing to you
that can be; l promise you that"
These words are beautiful enough TO
be repeated. Henry Locke smiled,
because As he spoke there came tears
to his mothers eyes. He had that
morning been promised place in a
little country store, five miles from the
cot, or rather cabin, where they lived.
1t was but a small pittance; but of
late the mother had grown so feeble
that she could earn nothing; could
scarcely do the little that order and
neatness called for at her hands.
One dollar . week 1t was q very
small 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 a glad smile from
mother, for pressure from that feeble
hand, for the tender Christian words
that came from those pale lips, lie was
bravelv willing, after his days hard
work, to walk the five miles, dark and
tedious though the way was. Often
he came bringing some little delicacy
which he had earned, and which was
sweet 10 the invalid because he brought
it.
One night the sky was curtained
.lnnAa Tha ,r,lnuy trntal from,
her little window facing the hilly road
along which the hay wagons went on
their way 70 the city, and said As oi,o
saw the twilight deepening earlier than
its wont, ale will not come tonight. y
No, he would not surely come that
night. The wind blew fiercely, and
sent the branches of the old apple tree
rattling against the clapboards. and
threw the rain, as with spite, over
the little windows, sheeting them and
making dreary music. So the widow,
quite confident that Henry would not
venture out in the storm, read her BIZ
bic till her heart kindled with the holy
words and putting out her little light,
went TO her rest.
She knew not how long she had
slept when q voice awak ened her. The
sweet voice so dear TO her, was crying,
Mother mother !" at first she thought
it dream, but listening intently, she
heard, blending with the vail Of the
wind, that cry, and sound against
the latch greeted her. Instantly ris.
ing, she groped for a light, unfastened
the door, and behold! There stood
Henry, piteous sight indeed, literally
covered with mire from head TO foot.
His face was wet, but the honest, hap
py smile was in no way abatsd.
"My boy, how could you come, on
such a night w exclaimed the widow.
..Why, mother, the storm could not
keep me from you" was his hearty re-
sponse. "Tve had the greatest time
you ever did see-lost my way-got
into a creek, and it must be midnight ;
but l meant TO come, for ). gave me
trihe over tonight, and knew how
much you needed il"
my dear boy!" sprank from the
mothers full heart, with tear or two
that triokled down her pale cheeks.
II WONDER l haven't thought Of it
before" she said musingly. After
this I'll put light in the window. Io
be sure it won't show far, but when you
get to the top Of the hill it will be
pleasant to see it and know that l am
watching for you"
For three years the lamp was placed
in the little window every night. Peo'
pie often remarked it: and "as bright
as Mother Locke's little window, be
came q favorite saying.
At the end of that time young Hen
ry was offered a good chance on board
Of q whaling vessel, and resolved te
accept it. 1t cost him none knew wha
q struggle to part from the being h'
loved with an almost worshipful affec
ton. But he knew that the time hal
come when he must 60 forth into tht
world to do battle for himself and her
and sailors life was his co veted call
ing.
1T seems to me, Henry" said tn
mother, when, with trembling lips, she
parted from him. "ss if l must still
put the light in the little window.
shall think sometimes hear the sount
Of your footsteps, the click Of th
latch and your pleasant voice. Oh
Henry, Henry. if l could but light yo
over the stormy waters!"
"Mother, God will do that" sal
Henry, pointing to the glowing heaven
I"God will light me through storr
and through calm but mother, l shal
think every night that the lamp is i
the window that you sit near it /; tha
} somebody blesses you for the guidin
> ray. and above all that you are pray
ing for me-"
The long voyage was almost endet
but another voyage was to end befol
that. The widow Locke was taken il
Yet with unfailing regularity, with fe'
} h1e aton and tremh1inO hand u;0htI