, 1874-02-26
A Real Romance.

Il
relates the following:
Whatever were the terms of separa.
ton between herself and her first hus>
band, the child remained with its father,
who told his son that his mother was
dead.
For years the boy believed the story.
but one day, on going to the Postoffice
for his fathers letters, he found one ad-
dressed to himself. 1t was from his
mother! Overpowered by the sudden
knowledge of her existence, he dropped
upon the curb-stone and read his moth
er's letter. 4'if -'
1t related how ill-treatment had driven
her from his side; how. poor, alone and
with the reprobation of theCvorld upon
her, she had struggled for existence;
but happier days had at length come
she was married to Mr.. Williams and
was going to Europe. She enclosed her
photograph, and bade her son never for
get his mother. o-
The boy sprang up, vowing to do more
| than remember-to devote his life to
finding her. He went to his father,
showed him the letter, and asked him
the reason of his deception. He coldly
replied that he had thought it best-that
if he had known his mother was alive
he would have wanted to see her, and
that he would never have permitted.
The boy followed his mothers exam
ple-- he left the rich mans house; and,
although not twelve years of age. he
went to work in foundry. Steadily he
worked, with lbut one purpose in his
heart-to earn money enough to go and
find his mother. That moment came at
length. and he went to Europe, with
nothing to identify her but the photo
graph and letter.
Failing to find her in Europe. he re-
tdrned to the United States, and hunted
through city after city, unavailingly.
His procedure was simple. He copied
from the directory the addresses of all
in the place named Williams, and called
on them in turn till the list was exhaust
ed.
Many aquiet family he started from
their serenity by raid upon them, pho
tograph in hand, inquiring for his moth
er. At last there was but one city left
to search Washington. He pursued
his usual course there. visiting all the
williamses in the capital save that of
the Attorney General. i
He was now SO near despair that he
had half mind. he said; not to- call on
them. But it was the last Of the name
whom he had not seen, and his search
would be incomplete without it. The
youth resolved to make his last inquiry;
SO. photograph in hand. he entered the
National Hotel. and asked the clerk if
Mrs. Williams lived there. :" Yes, 2 was
the reply. "Does this look like her ?"
"Ihat's the lady," said the clerk. II
am her son; can you give me a room
near her?" Eyes" "Say nothing of
my being here; I want to surprise her."
"An right"
The young man went to his room. ar
rayed himself in his best, then knocked
at his mothers door, his whole frame
trembled with agitation and with hope
deferred again realized.
Her voice bade him enter. He flung
open the door, and, exclaiming. "Moth-
er, don't you know me?" he rushed
frantically into her arms.
She was at that time an invalid, and
the shock almost proved serious; but as
joy never kills. they say, she recovered.
He had worked his way almost all
through Europe and America; conse.
quertly his education had been neglect
ed; but, as he was only twenty. one years
of age when he found his mother. she
hoped to overcome that defect. She put
him to school at once, and he gives
promise Of becoming as brilliant in mind
as he is loving of heart.