Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1876-09-28

"fOR HER DEAR SAKE"


The first vacation of David has passed
like dream to his mother. and now that
the last day has arrived she feels as II only
a week had sped.though she has so regret
fully and hungriiy counted-each morning
aud each night-both the days that have
been spent aud those that are TO come.
Another long absence follows; another
bright home-coming-in the frosty Christ
ma. darkness now; another absence and
50 on, aud on, until David comes home
from school for the last tune OF all
He meets his mother just within the
porch, where the flowers bloom that sum
mer as they have bloomed through every
summer OF his life, and he has no cloud
upon his face. But later on his mothers
anxious question is answered a little sadly
Yes, mother, heard from the lawyer
yesterday. Grandfather's will does not
mention either OF US. lie has given me all
the help he meant 10 give. Well. he has
make my own start In the world; but |
must go at once; one delicious day with
you here, then for London. Don't look SO
sad, my mother; this shall not be long
separation; not even as long as the old
school terms, for will soon come back TO
fetch you
So after this one day he goes, laughing
over his scanty purse, because his hands
are strong-his fortune, hope and courage.
But when he looks back it is only through
q mist OF tears that he can see the little
cottage where he leaves his mother in her
loneliness.
After David's departure the days pass
for Mrs. Sullivan just as the old school
days have done, except that now she has
q daily excitement in his letters. Never
can she settle to anything until the post
man has come up the garden path and CIV
en- into her trembling hand the letter Da-
vid never fails to send; the letter-full of
love and bravery and hope-which does
his mothers heart such good.
At last one letter comes in which he tells
her he has found employing in an account
ants Office; employment which is very ca
sy to him, and which he likes, though the
salary he Is to receive is much smaller
than he anticipated when he SO hopefully
began his search.
But l will work So Well he writes,
that the firm will raise my salary soon,
and then will come for you. Ah,moiher.
can indeed work hard aud long and stead
lily for that good end
So in the cottage Mary works hard. too,
confident In the realization Of his plan and
living with him-through her long day
dreams-in London which exists in her
Imagination only "a wide, calm city where
all the young men have Dayid's face aud
David's nature and guide skillfully the ma
chinery of the world.
But the time goes on. and David only
earns what he has earned at first. And
So he writes little sadly now. the home
with you is still out OF my reach; for pow
erty here, mother, would be to you hun
dred times worse than poverty at home
When he has been absent for year he
comes home 10 spend his birthday with his
mother; a summer day which they have
spent together for all the eighteen years of
David's life. Then he goes back to his
work still hopeful of the rise which his
earnest and untiring servitude is to win.
Six months pass, and then-One Sunday
night-David walks Unexpectedly into the
cottage kitchen where his mother sits be-
side the fire softly singing to herself a
HYMN which she has heard In church that
day.-When she starts up,-her face. in
that moment OF surprise. white as death
David sees how little able she Is TO bear
any shock where he is concerned. But her
delight one minute Afterward makes up for
all. and that Sunday night Is one which
both will love to remember.
Can you not stay one dayg the mother
row, Davy?'
To-day you mean, mother Look. we
| have chatted till after midnight already
| Never mind, we have four whole hours
more. thanks to the new railway. Don't
| 90 10 bed. mother; cannot spare you for
that time
| She has never thought of leaving him SO
beside the cheerful fire they sit and talk
| Hrst of the lives which they have separate
ly led, and then of that life which they 81 {
presidently to lead tOgether-for David has
come home on purpose 70 bring joyful IL
diugs. The long talked of home will bt
| ready soon. for he is earning q high salary
now, and oil the old bright plans are to b
carried out. ..a ...-.-..
But. Davy,' Mrs Sullivan says when sh,
rises to prepare the early breakfast. how
very hard you must be working; only t
be spared for one day after whole twelv'
months OF service?
Il cou Id have had one holiday between,
he answers. but would not take it. !
was wiser lot to, mother, IS this 10 an ex
pensive journey even now that We have tn
railway ..,.-.....
And you have been sending me you
money. David?
Bot l am earning so much now,' tn
young man says with . bright excitemer
10 his eyes. -A-
And are you happy, David7'
Very happy, mother-thinking ho'
soon everything will be as planned 1t Ion
, ago. ......, ,...
But for yourself alone, are you happ.
, dearr she asks wisttully.
| II oh yes. mother. quite happy
y Another goodbye. But the last D'