South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1880-04-30

pid's bow, and the chin strong without
being unseemly-seeing this without
the dregs, the boy was handsome. Mrs.
Walsh. thinking Of the little mounds in
the churchyard. prayed God that she
might be happy mother; and if boy
was to bless her maternity, she could
not ask that he should be handsomcr
than she could make this boy.
Jim finished eating and stood up.
James said the little woman-for
she was little woman and perfect
picture Of lovable and loving little
woman-'James. when you are hungry
and have nothing TO eat, il you will
come TO this door l will feed YOU.
don't want you TO GO hungry
Il should like to come, ma'am.
And If | feed you when you are
hungry, will you not try to be good for
my sake 2
The boy hung his head an consider
ed. Some might have wondered that he
did not answer at once. as a grateful
boy ought but Mrs. Walsh was deeper
than that. The lad was considering
how he must answer safely and truly.
IF they'd lie, me be good, ma am,
but they WON'T h, said, a. length.
will you try all you can p
'Yes'm, I'll try all cam
Mrs. Walsh gave the lad a small
parcel of fool in paper, AMI patted
his curly head. The boy hal not shed
q tear since the pain of the wound had
been assuaged. Some might have
thought he was not grateful; but tue
little woman could see The gratitude in
the deeper light of his eyes. The old
crust was not broken enough yet for
tears.
Afterwards Mrs. Walsh TOLL her hus-
band what she had done and he laughed
at her.
Do you think, Mary. that your kind.
ness can help that ragged wait p
Il do not think that IL can hart him,
Silas'
1t was not the first time Mrs. Walsh
had delivered answers to the erudite
doctor which had etfec,ually stopped
discussion.
After that Jim came often to the
door and was fed and he became clean
er and more orderly With each succeed
ing visit.
At length Mrs Walsh was informed
that friend was going away into far
Western country to take up land and
make frontier farm. The thought oc.
Cured TO her that this might be good
opportunity for James Ammerton. She
saw her friend and brought James to
his notice, and the result was that the
boy went away with the emigrant Cd.
ycnturcr. And she heard from her
friend year later that lie liked tho boy
very much.
Two years later the emigrant wrote
that jim was treasure. And Mrs.
Walsh showed the letter to her hus-
band, and he smiled anil kissed his lit.
tie wife and said that he was glad.
And he had another source OF glad
ness. Upon her bosom his little wife
bore robust, healthy boy-their own
son who gave promise OF life and hap
piness in the time to come.
The years sped on ard James Am
merton dropped out from the life tina,
Mary Walsh knew. The last she heard
was five years after he went away from
Ellsworth, and Jim had then started for
the golden mountains on his own ac>
count, to commerce in earnest his own
life battle.
But there was joy and pride in her
little woman's life which held its pace
and grew and strengthened. Her boy,
whom they called Philip, grew to be q
youth Of grea: promise "a bright, kind.
hearted, good boy, whom everybody
loved, and none loved him more than
did his parents. In fact. they worship
ed him, or q. least his mother did.
AT the age or seventeen Philip Walsh
entered college, and AZ the age or TWEEN
ty'one graduated with honor. But the
long and severe study had taxed his
system, and lie entered upon the stage
OF manhood not quite 30 strong in body
as he should have been.
His mother saw IL anil was anxious
his father saw it and d scided that lie
should have recreation and recupcration
before ne entered into active business.
DIR. Walsh was not pecuniarily able
to send his son Off on an expensive
travel, bat he founl opportunity for his
engagement upon tho staff o. an explor.
ing expedition which would combine
healthful recreation with an equally
healthful occupation.
The expedition was bound for the
Western wilderness, and we need not
tell Of tho parting between the mother
and son. She kissed him and blessed
hin. and then hung upon his neck with
more kisses, and then went away TO her
chamber and cried.
Philip wrote home often while on his
way oat, aud he wrote after he reached
tue wilderness. His accounts were
glowing, and lis health was improving.
Three months Of frosty life and forest
labor. Of which Philip wrote in letter
which had to he borne more than a
n hundred miles TO the nearest post,
and then followed months or silence.
Where was Philip Why did he not
write
One day DR.. Walsh came home pale
and faint, With a newspaper crumpled
anG crushed in his hand Not imme.
diatoly, but by and by he was forced TO
lot HE NJ rnn1 rs -