American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1880-12-04
HIS MOTHERS BLESSING.

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HIS MOTHERS BLESSING.
There was the usual crowd at tn
depot. Some hurried hither an
thither with satchels, bundles an
shawls and all the other paraphernali
of the well-equipped traveller, not ex
copting the lunch baskets, whic
vague appetite as his vivid imagina
ton pictured a toothsome repast Of coll
chicken, tongue, preserved sweetmeats
pies and the like, closeted in thei
dark recesses; and if of a bibulou
turn of mind q thought of bidder
bottles of some cheering and " in
ebriating beverage" lent an additiona
glow to the inviting picture-and t,
think that all of these dainties were Sc
cured (p) by only simple piece oftwine
with which (maddening thought) the
truculent baggagemaster was reck
1essly familiar.
Noticeable among the passenger;
which filed the ladies' waiting room
and overflowed on the platform, were
. distinguished pair-notable any
where, but moro particularly here in
this heterogeneous 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 touch
ing than the appearance of deep feel
ing with evident effort at strong and
continued restraint.
The two persons were mother and
At.n E<---rx IL Al
sable weeds which mutely and sadly
told the story of her bereavement, and
It required but little penetration to
perceive that this was her only son and
that her heart, sore perhaps from re-
cent affection, was altogether bound
up in him. She was tall, slender and
stately, and on her white brow,
touched here and there by raven
tresses, mingled with silver, and in the
soft, dark eyes there slumbered, rather
than shone, that expression of patient
resignation. that serenity of heart
which comes alone tc those for whom
affection has been sacrificed; those who
have learned in the midst of crushing
sorrow the sublime meaning of those
words, ITO suffer and be stronr.''
Her son was tall, slight and graceful
youth of about eighteen summers,
with the same clear honest eyes, and
cheeks hronzed by the sun, but fore
head white as alabaster, surmounted
by waving mass of nut-brown curis,
which defied the touch of the hair
dresers' pruning scissors, and showed
hero and there a rebellious lock, as
irrepressible alasi as the owner, the
trresolute curves of whose scarlet lips
betrayed him an easy dupe to those
who cared to lead him astray.
The preparations grew more hurried
- the hour for starting approached.
A middle-aged gentleman, portly
and good-natured, made his appear
ance, and seeing our travellers, exclaim-
ed heartily.
.s How dye do. Mrs. Balfour: how
are you. Fredp Are you going on this
train?"
II am going to try my fortune in
Colorado, Mr.. Lawson"
..And your motherP'' he said turning
20 her.
'.She remains here for the present."
II thought perhaps it would be bet
ter for him to leave home for awhile,
especially as he has an uncle there who
has often urged me to send him, and
has already pictured a bright future
tor him there" said the lady in clear,
sweet tones, though it was with an
effort she kept back the tears.
''Quite right" responded Mr.. Law
son, cit will make a man of him to de-
pend on himself. I've NO doubt it will
be quite lonely for you, madam. for q
while, at least"
II do not take my own feeling into
consideration, l assure you, sir, else
would never give my consent. It is
only that feel that there are better
opportunities,in the West for a young
man who has to make his own fortune,
and there are surely no openings for him
hero. We have tested that pretty
she added, with sigh.
The presence of third party at this
last Interview between mother and son
was felt to DO relief, for, when the
heart strings are about to be shattered.
the untold agony is inexpressible and
end each utterance is felt to be a pang.
The trio beguiled the time in CONVEX
safion on unimportant and trivial topics
until the bell rang. Then the pale
mother. clasping her treasure once
more in her embrace, and secretly and
gold ring on his finger, while with
on his young head. babe him
goodbye and taw the swiftly moving
train bear him out of sight
To those who go away the parting is |
not so bitter as to those who remain be- |
hind Tho rapidly panorama |
Of scenes, the hurry and hustle and de- |
pnrture, and the constantly appearing
and receding landscape cheer the wound |
ed sensibilitIes, and with their soothing |
Influences distract the attention from
sorrow, and by slow and almost imper-
ccptible degrees check the tear, and on |
the cheek it has lately believed place |
tho glow of hope and lend the eye the |
faint luster of bright anticipation.
Such were the feelings of Frederick
Balfour as he was conveyed on the
wings of steam toward his distant desti-
nation. He was warm-hearted and |
generous lad, strongly and deeply at
tached TO his mother, with that chival- |
rous devotion which SO often springs |
into existence when a father has been |
taken away and the remaining parent |
clmgs for support and affection to her |
offspring.
With all the enthusiasm of youth
fond of novelty and excitement-he. |
after his first emotions of grief had been |
subducd. entered into the spirit of the |
scene. and, IN conversation with the |
other passengers,s viewed the ever
changing Kaleidoscope of scenery with
out. and meditating on rAa bright mic
lures of the future prosperhy which,
fed his imagination, ff-s dsSa;
passed rapidly and cheerfully away.