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


There was the usual crowd at the de-
pot Some hurried hither and thither
with sachele. bundles, shawls and all
the other paraphernalia of the we'll
ecuipped traveller, not excepting the
.lnnch baskets. which filled the mind of
The beholder with vague appetite as
bis vivid imagination pictured tooth
epfoe repast Of cold chicken, tongue,
preserved sweetmeats, pies and the like,
I'nerted in their dark recesses.
Nnticenhle among the passengers
Which filed the ladies' waitinR-room
1ndOverflowed on the platform were a
psir-notahle anywhere,
.int more particularly here in this het-
Efo0eneous mass of human beings.
Some strong emotion held them both
viii its deep and earnest spell, but in
I'ie the feeling while deeper, was at the
5Hmefine under better control. There
4e few epectacles more touching than
ne arr carance Of deep feeling with evi
'enl effort at strong and continued re
&.raint.
The two persons were mother and
4tu. the former q widow. clad in the
Il weeds which mutely and sadly
I6Id the story Of her bereavement, and
Il required hut little penetration 10 per
eelve that this was her only son and
HAT hnr heart. sore perhaps from re-
cent affiiction. was altogether bound IN
b him. She was toll, slender, and
Stately. and on her white brow. touched
here and there by raven tresses, min
Rled with silver. and in the soft, dark
eyes there slumbered. rather than
shone, that expression OF patient resig-
nation, that serenity Of heart which
comes alone to those for whom affec-
lion has been sacrificed; those who
have learned 10 the midst of crushing
BORROW the sublime meaning of those
words: ITO suffer and be strong"
Her son was tall. slight and graceful
5 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
waving mass of nut-brown curls, which
deiied the touch of the hairdresser's
pruning scissors, and showed here and
there rebellious lock, as irrepressible,
alas ! as the owner, the irresOlute
curves of whose scarlet lips betrayed
him an easy dupe, to those who cared
to lead him astray.
The preparations grew more hurried
AS the hour for starting approached.
A middle-aged gentleman, portly and
good-nafured, made his appearance, and
seeing ouritravelaps, exclaimed, heartily:
Howd'Yaf RMrs. Balfour; how are
you, FredS Are you going on this
trainp"
81 am going to try my fortune in
Colorado, Mr.. Lawson"
And your mUtherP he said, turning
to her.
"She remains here for the present"
thought perhaps it5Vould be better
for him to leave home. Tor awhile, espe-
cially as he has an uncle there who has
often urged me 10 send him, and has
already pictured bright future for him
there,n said the lady. in clear, sweet
tones. though it was with an effort she
kept back the tears.
Quite right" responded Mr.. Law
son; q it will make man of him to de-
pend on himself. I've no doubt it will
be quite lonely for you, madam, for q
whileat least
~ do not take my own feelings into
consideration, assure you, sir, else l
would never give my consent. 1t is only
that-I feel that there are better oppor-
tunities in the West for a young man
who has to make his own fortune, and
there are surely no openings for him
here. We have tested that pretty
thoroughly" she added, with sigh.
The presence of third party at this
last interview between mother and son
was felt to be a relief, for, when the
heart-strings are about TO be shattered
the untold agony is inexpressible ano
each utteranee is telt to be pang. The
trio beguiled the time in conversation
on unimportant and trivial topics unit
the beh rang. Then the pale mother
clasping her treasure once more in he
embrace. and secretly and withou
ostentation placing a plain gold ring ol
his finger, while with trembling lips shl
invoked a silent blessing on his younl
head, bade him goodbye and saw tn
swiftly-moving train bear him out o
sight.
A year had PASSED, and with It hai
brought many chnnges Surrounded b.
the temptations 1NRicb. ia a slrange AM
dis ant city, ARC 50 apt to lead yOun