Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1880-06-04


more at rest, beginning TO look around
and wonder and admire, little feeling
of irritation began TO grow at his heart.
Why had she Gomez Had he not made
all comfortable for her at homeP Here
she would be constrained, unnatural.
And Violetl lie could picture the as
tonished look which would creep into
her eyes when he said to her, "This is
my mother;" nay, more, the naughty
curve which would gather about her
mouth, so rich and ripe and sweet. So
the question at his heart found words,
and he scarcely himself knew the innate
irritation they betrayed.
Mother, why did you not let me
know you were comingP"
al meant to surprise you, my boy"
she answered, fondly. "Can it be that
l have done wrongP"
"No, no." he hastily replied. "Come,
you must cot and 60 to bed. You need
a rest"
But long after he had hidden her
goodnight he sat and thought.
His mother had come to make her
home with him. That was clear. II
he told her he willed otherwise, she
would obey.
For time he planned it outflow he
would tell her the city life was not
adapted to her needs; and then Violet
need never know of the plain, humble
little woman who was not ashamed TO
toll with her own hands that his
hands might be the hands of gem
tleman.
o, shame on himl Could he ever
wash them clean even of the thought
No; Violet should know the truth lie
could bear the scorn now in her eyes
and in her voice as she would question
him how he dared look up TO her, but
his mother should share his home and
his heart to the end.
1t was too late now to visit Violet to-
night, but he went up stairs, and, softly
turning the knob of the door of the room
where his mother slept, he noiselessly
approached the bed, and, bending down,
touched his lips to the old withered fore
head, reverently.
She started up with a glad sob of Joy.
"My boy! my boy whom thought
was not glad to sec his mother"
He quieted her at last, wondering why
his own heart felt so light, and she fell
asleep with his hand tightly clasped in
hers.
"You did not come last night" said
his betrothed, when, next morning, he
stood in her presence.
No, Violet,r he answered; "but |
come to-day to tell how unworthy am
of your love. Last night my mother
came to me. Nay, do not stare. 1t
was no visitant from the spirit land,
but an actual reality. have never told
you of my mother. Think of it--a man
so blessed, and yet dumb! All her life
she toiled with poverty-for whose sake,
think youP Her son's-that she might
make him q gentleman. God prospered
him, and enabled him to take all the
burden from her old shoulders, and so he
thought he had done his duty. He fed
the body, but he let her heart starYe.
Last night, in the desperation of her
hunger, she sought me out. For mo-
ment7O, bitter humiliation my heart
rebelled Think of it, Violet-the cruel,
unnatural pride which would bring into
a mans cheek blush for the woman
who bore him. thought of you, with
your pretty, dainty ways, side by side
with her plain and homely ones. Iknew
the two could never be reconciled; and
so, Violet, / have come to ask you to
forgive and forget me. My heart and
my home are my mothers henceforth
and forever.n
Had the man some lingering hope that
the girl before him would refuse the sac
rificeP Certainly an added look of suf-
fering grew into his eyes as she an
swered nothing, only laid her hand in
his a moment as if in farewell.
His visits seemed very long, very
weary all that day; but, as he crossed
the home threshold at nightfall, he
smoothed the frown from his brow, as
he remarked:
"She must suspect nothing"
He would find her, he knew, in his
study. AS he softly opened the door he
anticipated her cry of "My boy" as
she tremblingly rose to greet him; but,
ah, he had not anticipated the picture
which met his gaze.
His mother was sitting, indeed, in the
armchair by the fire; but at her feet,
her head resting in her lap, while the
old fingers caressingly stroked the
luXuriant chestnut-colored hair, was an
other figure, which rose, instead, to
welcome him.
" Bernard" the sweet voice whis-
pered in his ear, 81 lost my mother
when was baby. 1t has been so
sweet to find one again. You said
'Henceforth your home and heart were
hers o, my love, may we not share
the boonP"-LondOn Paper.