The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-01-30
LIGHT AT LAST.

Paul MlnshIp and Mary Archer sat III
the small comfortable sitting room of an
humble cottage, not far from the great
city 1t was late III the evening of a
spring day, and they had not been long
IN from stroll III the by-ways, by the
gimmer Of quaI terly moon. Paul had
seen only week Of life since leaping the
bound Of selfowned manhood -t that he
was Just a week beyond oue-and-twent
Aud Mary was one year younger. And
they we're both of that mould and that
temperament which nature bestows upon
those who are to be made thereby capable
Of enjoyment. Their sympathies were
quick and active their sppetites natural
aud healthful their affection true and
strong their aspirations worthy and hon
orable and their hearts warm and gen
eruus. and steadfast AS the mountain be-
hind which the moon was dipping.
And as these two had been schoolmates
and companions for years, they had loved
each other while yet children, and thelr
love had gone on growing stronger from
day to day. Pauls father and mother had
both died while he was vet an apprentice,
and he had only been left with the love OF
Mary Archer "a give bright sunshine t.
his life. And Mary had lost her father,
and now labored with healthful cheer
fulness to assist her mother IL gaming a
livelihood And she labored the harder
because a poor crippled brother depended
upon her for support He was not able tc
help himself
Paul Winship had resolved to 20 to sea
An uncle was captain Of a large ship bound
for the East Indies, and had offered him 3
good position He thought he would Dc
better so than to deive at a trade whici
would never yield more than a bare sup
port. He and Mary had talked the mat
ter over, arid had at length become recon
ciled To the step, believing it to be for hi:
good
And on the morrow the ship was to sail
and this was to be their last evening to
gether for long, long time. They knew
now how strong and yearning their low,
was. and how independent they were anC
must be, upon each other for JOY anC
| blessedness and they tried to look acros
the chasm Of separation to the full fruitioI
beyond.
Mary had worked into fanciful brai,
slender tress Of her glossy dark BROW
hair, and while they talked, she fixed |
into a small golden locket, and shut dow
upon it a glass cover.
!" There, Paul" she said, when tn,
work was dome" there is the lock of IN,
hair, as you wished. 1t is a poor thing
| hut YOU will think Of me when you Loo
upon it.
Paul took the locket, and pressed it t
his lips.
"I shall look upon it often, darling
and think, while | look, Of the deares
treasure for me this earth can hold.
"Oh, Paul r
Darling don't weep. But a few shor
months. and we will be happier than ever
know that | shall prosper. We sha
suffer this separation as the seed is hidde
in the ground, 1t is to be the gem Of bel
ter things to come.
81 shall try and think SO, Paul. wi
think 50.
Paul found a piece of blue ribbon
Marys work basket, with which he SUI
pended the locket about his neck, an
v hen he had placed it once more to h
lips, with murmured blessing, he hid
away in his bosom.
And, by and by, they stood at the doc
locked in the parting embrace.
Until long past midnight Mary sat
the window and gazed out upon the star
She knew that Paul was on his way, G
foot, to the city, and that it would tai
him two hours to walk the distance. !
she sat there until she thought he hs
reached the ship, and then she went up
her chamber, and sought her pillow, b.
not to sleep. Her heart was too hea'
and sad.
Bot Mary Archer was young and stroI
and ere she long she brought reason to Il
aid of hope, and was content to look al
pray for the good to come.
At the end Of three months a lett
came to her from the sea, brought by
homeward- bound ship which Paul HI
met on the trackless deep. 1t was a lett
full Of love and hope and promise
spoke brave words, and he was pleasant
! situated
The weeks and months passed off, n
another letter came. II was written frc
Calcutta, and Paul was well, and IN 8
r. rious spirits. From there they were gol
to Canton.
Again at Canton he wrote, and the l
ter came home, by way Of England, af'