The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1877-08-15
Two Dollars a Year.

he wrote to say that his regiment was
ordered TO India, and 1eggint her To send
him her blessing, As he had not enough
money II carry him 10 Liverpool 10 SEQ
her. The aged mother. widowed and
chlldless, save for this one remaining boy.
felt that she must look upon his face once
more before she died. She begged from
few ladies, whose kindn $ had kept her
from the work house, sufficient money to
carry her by train to Glasgow and from
thence she had made her way, now on
foot now begging a lift in passing cart
or wagon, to within a few miles OF Fort
George, when she was caught i'm the
snow-storm and wandering from the
road, would have persisted in the snow
but for Laddie.
My wife is in tears and Mary is sob.
hing audibly as the little old woman con
cludes her simple and touching story.
and | walk to the window and look out
Cor moment before | am able to ask her
what her sons name is As tell her
that we are but a few miles from Fort
| George, and that | will send over for him
smile of extreme content illumines the
withered face. "His name is John Sal
ter" she says. ''He is a tall handsome
lad they will know him by that
L hasten down stairs and write a short
note to Col. Freeman, whom | know in
| timately, informing him of the circum-
stance, and begging that he will allow
John Salter to come over at once, an /
dispatch my groom in dog cart, that he
may bring him back without los of time.
As | return to the house after seeing
him start | meet DIR. Bruce leaving the
house.
Poor old soul, he says; cher troubles
are nearly over; she is sinking fast.
almost doubt whether she will live till
her son comes"
GLOW she could have accomplished
such journey at her age, L cannot un
derstand, | observe.
Nothing is impossible to a mother,
answers DR.. Bruce; "but it has killed
| her"
go in; but | find | cannot settle to
my usual occupations. My thoughts ar,
with the aged heroine who is dying up
stairs, and presently yield to the fascin
alton which draws me back to her pres
ence.
AS DR.. Bruce says, she is sinking fast
She lies back on the pillows, her cheek
as ashy gray as her hair She clasps m,
wife's hand in hers, but her eye
are wide open, and have an eager expect
ant look in them.
CAT what time may we expect them?
whispered my wife to me.
"Not before four" | answer in tn
same tone.
"He will be too late | fear" sh
says; "she is getting rapidly weaker"
But love is stronger than death, an
she will not 60 until her son comes. Al
through the winters day she lies dying
Obediently taking what nourishment i
given to her, but never speaking excep
TO say: "My lad, my lad 4! God j
good He will not let me die until h
comes"
And at last | hear the dog cart. | Ia
my finger on my lip and tell Mary to z
and bring John Salter up very quietly
But my caution is needless; the mothC
has heard the sound, and with a la.
| effort of her remaining strength, sh
: raises herself and stretches out her arm,
my lad, my lad :" she gasps, as with
great sob he springs forward, and mothe
: and son are Chased in each others arm
once more. For moment they remain S,
: Then the little old woman sinks back O
my wife's shoulder, and her spirit is look
: ing down from heaven on the lad sh
loved so dearly on earth.
} She lies in our little church-yard unde
a spreading yew,tree, and on the ston
which marks her resting place are in
scribed the words, Faithful unto Death
| Our Laddie has gained far-spread renow
| for his good works; and as sit fnishin
) this short record of tale Of which he
; the hero: he lies at my feet, our eve
, watchful, faithful companion and frien,
Chambers Journal.