The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1880-11-03
His Mothers Blessing
Rochester Democrat.

There was the usual crowd at the de-
not. Some hurried hither and thither
with sachels, bundles, shawls and all
the other paraphernalia of the we'll
pniIipred traveller, not excepting the
lnnch baskets. which filed the mind OF
.4he beholder with vague appetite as
his vivid imagination pictured tooth
some rerast of cold chicken, tongue,
preserved sweetmeats, pies and the like,
nloset6d in their dark recesses.
Noticeable among the passengers
Hhich filed the ladies' waitiDg-room
4nd overflowed on the platform were 3
aistinguished pair-notable anywhere,
. but more particularly here in this het-
ernveneous mass of human beings.
Some strong emotion held them both
with Its deep and earnest spell, but in
. one the feeling while deeper, was at the
ehme time under better control. Ihere
Arp few spectacles more touching than
f,,e arr earance Of deep feeling with evi'
dont effort at strong and continued re
slraint.
The two persons were mother and
aft the former widow, clad in the
: sahle weeda which mutely and sadly
bold the story Of her bereavement, and
ID required hut little penetration TO per
raive that this was her only son and
that hnr heart, sore perhaps from re-
cent affiiction. was altogether bound up
III him. She was toll, slender and
+ etately. and on her white brow, touched
here and there by raven tresses, min
ried with silver. and in the soft, dark
ewes there slumbered, rather than
shone, that expression of patient resig'
nation, that serenity of heart which
comes alone to those for whom affec.
tion has been sacrificed; those who
have learned in the midst of crushing
sorrow the sublime meaning of those
words: Ito suffer and be strong.
Her son was a tall, slight and graceful
youth of about eighteen summers, Will
the same clear honest eyes, and cheeks
bronzed by the sun, but forehead
white as alabaster, surmounted by ;
waving mass of nut-brown curls, whicl
defied the touch of the hairdtesser'
pruning scissors, and showed here ant
there a rebellious lock, as irrepressible
alas as the owner, the irresolut
curves of whose scarlet lips betraye'
him an easy dupe, to those who care'
to lead him astray.
The preparations grew more hurrie'
as the hour for starting approached.
A middle-aged gentleman, portly an
good-natured, made his appearance, an
seeing ouritraYelers, exclaimed, heartily
"How dye do, Mrs. Balfour; how ar
you, Fredp Are you going on thi
trainP"
81 am going to try my fortune /
Colorado, Mr.. Lawson"
"And your mUtberP" he said, turnin
to her. =,
'sShe remains here for the present. !"
81 thought perhaps it would be bette
for him to leave home for awhile, esp
cially as he has an uncle there who III
often urged me 10 send hlm, ana ~
already pictured bright future for hi
there. j. said the lady. in clear, swe
tones, though it was with an effort 81
kept back the tears.
E'Ouite right" responded Mr.. Law
son; lit will make a man OF him to d
pend on himself. I've no doubt 1t wi
be quite lonely for you, madam, Tor
while at least"
81 do not take my own feelings in
consideration, l assure you, sir, else
would never give my consent. 1t is on
that feel that there are better OppC
tunities in the West for a young mi
who has to make his own fortune, al
= there are surely no openings for hi
here. We have tested that pref
thoroughly" she added, with sigh.
The presence OF thlfd party aL u
last interview between mother and s
was felt to be q relief, for, when t
heart-strings are about to be shattert
the untold agony is inexpressible a
each utterance is felt TO be a pang. 1
trio beguiled the time in conversati
on unimportant and trivial topics ur
the hell rang. Then the pale moth
clasping her treasure once more IN
embrace, and secretly and with'
ostentation placing plain gold ring
his finger, while with trembling lips
invoked "A silent blessing on his yoI
head, bade him goodbye and saw
swiftly-moving train bear him out
sight.
A year had PASSED, and with It
brought many changes. Surrounded
the temptations NNRich. in strange
dis ant city, arc 50 apt to lead yol
feet astray, Frederick soon became