The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-10-14
His Mothers Blessing.
Democrat.

There was the usual crowd at the de-
pot. Some hurried hither and thither
with sachels, bundles, shawls and ali
the other paraphernalia of the we'll
equipped traveller, not excepting the
lunch baskets, which filled the mind of
the beholder with a vague appetite as
his vivid imagination pictured tooth
some repast of cold chicken, tongue,
preserved sweetmeats, pies and the like,
closeted in their dark recesses.
Noticeable among the passengers
which filed the ladies' waiting-room
and overhowed on he platform were Il
distinguished pair-notable anywhere,
but more particularly here in this het-
erogeneous 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
same time under better control. There
are few spectacles more touching than
the appearance of deep feeling with evil
dent effort at strong and continued re-
straint.
The two persons were mother and
son; the former widow, clad in the
sable weeds which mutely and sadly
told the story of her bereavement, and
it required hut little penetration 10 per-
ceive that this was her only son and
that her heart, sore perhaps from re-
cent a1h ctiou, was altogether bound up
in him. She was tall, slender and
stately, and ON her white brow, touched
here and there by raven tr, sses, min
gled with silver, and in the soft, dark
eyes there slumbered, rather than
shone, that expires ion 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: To suffer and be strong"
Her son was a tall, slight and graceful
youth of about eighteen summers, with
the same clear honest eyes, and cheeks
bronzed by the sun, but a forehead
white as alabaster, surmounted by a
waving mass of nut brown curls, which
deficd the touch of the haifdresser's
pruning scissors and showed here and
there a rebellious lock, as irrepressible,
alas as the owner, the lrresOlute
curves of whose scarlet lips betrayed
him an easy dupe, to those who cared
to lead him astray.
The preparations grew more hurried
as tie hour for starting appro lched.
A middle-aged gentleman, portly and
good-natured, made his appearance, and
seeing our,travelers, exclaimed heartily !:
Il1lW u Nbs JliSs D1liout, lOW Ill Z
you, Fredg Are you going on this
trainP"
81 am going to try my fortune in
Colorado, Mr.. Lawson"
"And your m,therP" he said, turning
to her.
"She remains here for the present"
81 thought perhaps it would be better
for him to leave home for awhile, espe'
cially as he has an uncle there who has
often urged me to send him, and has
already pictured bright future for him
there" said the lady, in clear. sweet
tones, though it was with an effort she
kept back the tears.
FQuite right" responded Mr.. Law
son; - it will make a man of him to de.
pend on himself. I've no doubt it vii
be quite lonely for you, madam, for {
while at least"
Il do not take my own feelings into
consideration, | assure you, sir, else
would never give my consent. 1t is only
that | feel that there are better oppor
tunities in the West for a young mar
who has to make his own fortune, anC
there are surely no openings for hin
here. We have tested that pretty
thoroughly" she added, with sigh.
The presence of II third party at thi:
last interview between mother and Sol
was felt to be a relief, for, when tn,
heart-strings are about to be shattered
the untold agony is inexpressible ant
each utterance is telt 10 be pang. Th
trio beguiled the time in conversation
on unimpOrtant and trivial topics unit
the bell rang. Then the pale mother
clasping her treasure once more in he
embrace, and secretly and withou
ostentation placing a plain gold ring o
his finger, while with trembling lips SD
invoked silent blessing on his youn
head, bade him goodbye and saw tn
swiftly-moYing train bear him out
sight.
A year had PASSED, and with it ha
brought many changes. Surrounded b
the temptations which, in strange an
dis ant city, are SO apt to lead youn
feet astray, Frederick soon became a
easy prey to more than one vice. II
uncle was immersed in business care
and, having no children OF his own, v;
not calculated to scrutinize the action
of his nephew. Besides, most of h
derelictions from the path of rectituC
took place out of business hours, wht
the old man was sleeping the sleep
the Just" leaving his ward to do tl
same if he chose. AS Fred was for ii
most part attentive to his mercanti
duties, and his uncle over-indulge
(for the former was really lovable al
prepossessing youth), he took it
granted that all was as well as could
expected. and if not. why, boys W
be boys" he asserted to himself witt