The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1877-09-19

from the workhouse, sufficient money
to carry her by train to Glasgow ;
and from thence she bad made her
way. now on foot. now begging lift
in passing cart or wagon. to within
few miles Of Fort George. when she
was caught in the snow-storm /; and
wandering from the road, would have
perished-but for Laddie.
NV wife is in tears, aud Mary is
sobbing au,'ibly as the little old wo-
man concludes her simple aud touch
lug story, and | walk 10 the window
and look out for q moment before
am able to ask her what her sons
name is As tell her that we are
but q few miles from Fort George,
and that / will send over for him. q
smile Of extreme content illumines the
witbered face. "His name is John
Salter," she says. "He is q tall,
handsome lad; they will know him
by that"
hasten down stairs and write a
short note to Col. Freeman, whom |
know intimately, informing him Of
the circumstances, aud begging that
he will allow John Salter TO come
over at once, and | dispatch my
groom in the dog cart. that be may
bring him back without loss Of time.
As | return to the house after seeing
him start meet Dr. Bruce leaving
the house
Poor old SOUL" be says 'her
troubles are nearly over; she is sink
ing fast almost doubt whether she
will live till her son comes"
How she could have accomplish
ed such a journey at her age, can
uot understand )" | observed
Nothing is impossible t. a moth
err" answers DR.. Brace; "bat it has
killed her,"
go in; but | God | cannot settle
to my usual occupations My
thoughts are with the aged heroine
who is dying upstairs, and presently
/ yield to the fascination which
draws me back to her presence.
As DR.. Bruce says, she is sinking
fast. She lies back on the pillows,
her cheeks as ashy gray as her hair
She clasps my wife's hand in hers,
but her eyes are wide open, and have
an eager expectsnt look in them.
AT what time may We expect
them Z" whispers my wife to me.
Not before four" | answered in
the same tone.
"He will be too late, ] fear" she
says; ''she is getting rapidly weak
err"
But love is stronger than death,
and she will not go until her son
comes. All through the winters
day she lies dying, Obediently taking
what nourishment is given to
her, but never speaking, ex-
cept to say /; my lad, my lad God
is good; be will not let me die until
be comes"
And at last l hear the dog cart.
| lay my finger ON nv lip and tell
Mary to 90 and bring John Salter
up very quietly. But my caution ia
needless; the mother heard the
sound, and with the last effort of her
remaining strength, she raises her.
self and stretches out ber arms. "My
lad. my lad J" she gssps, as with
great sob he springs forward, and
mother and son are clasped in each
others arms once more. For q mo-
ment they remain So Then the lit
tie old woman sinks back on my
wiie's shoulder, and her spirit ia
looking down from heaven OF the lad
she loved so dearly on earth.
She lies in our little church yard
under spreading yew-tree, and on
the stone which marks her resting
place are inscribed the words,
Faithful unto Death" Our laddie
has gained far spread renown for his
good works; and as sit finishing this
short record of tale of which be is
the hero, be lies at my feet, our ever
wstchful, faithful companion and
friend-ChLmbers' Journal.