The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1880-12-02
HIS MOTHER 5 BLESSING.


HIS MOTHERS BLESSING.
There was the usual crowd at the
depot. Some hurried hither AMI
thither with satchels, bundles and
shawls and all the other paraphernalia
IF the well-equipped traveller, not eX-
.epting the lunch baskets. which
filed the mind OF the. beholder with
a vague appetite rs his vivid imagina-
ton pictured toothsome re past of cold
chicken. tongue, preserved sweetmeats,
pies and the like, closeted in their
dark recesses; and if of bibulous
turn of mind a thought of hidden
bottles of some cheering and I" in
ebriating beverage lent an additional
glow to the inviting picture-and to
think that all OF these dainties were Sc
cured CD by only a simple piece oftwine,
with which (maddening thonght) the
truculent baggagemaster was reck-
lcssly familiar 81
Noticeable among the passengers
which filed the ladies' waiting room
and overiiowed on the platform, were
distinguished pair-notabie any.
where, but more 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 spectac.es more touch
ing than the appearance of deep feel
ing with evident effort at strong and
continued restraint.
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 but little penetration to
perceive that this was her only son and
that her heart, sore perhaps from re-
cent atfiiction. was altogether bound
up in him. She was tall, slender and
stately, and on her white brow,
touched here ard there by raven
tresses, mingled with silver, aud in the
SOFT. dark eyes there slumbered, rather
than shone, that expression of patient
resignation, that serenity of heart
which comes alone to those for whom
affection has been sacriticed; those who
have learned in the midst of crushing
sorrow the sublime meaning of those
words, TO suffer and be strong"
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 curls,
which detied the touch of the hair
dresers' pruning scissors, and showed
here and there a 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-natured, made his appear
ance, and seeing our travellers, exclaim-
ed heartily: .t
How dye do, Mrs. Baltour: how
are You. Fred? Are you going on this
train?"
II am going to try my fortune in
Colorado, Mr.. lawson
"And your mother?' he said turning
to her.
''She remains. here for the present."
81 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 bright future
for 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, lit will make man of him to de-
pend on himself. rveno doubt it will
be quite lonely for you, madam. for .
while, at least"
Il do not take my own feeling into
consideration, assure you, sir, else I
would never give my consent. It is
only that l feel that there are better
opportunities in the West for q 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 q sigh.
The presence of third party at this
last interview between mother and son
was felt to be relief, for, when the
heart strings are about to be shattered.
the untold agony is inexpressible and
and each utterance is felt to be pang
The trio beguiled the time in CONVEX
sation on unimportant and trivial topics
until the bell rang. Then the pale
mother, clasping her treasure once
more in her embrace, and secretly and
without ostentation placing q plain
gold ring on his finger. while with
trembling lips she invoked a silent
blessing on his young head. babe him
goodbye and saw 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. The rapidly.moving panorama
of scenes, the hurry and hustle and de-
parture, and the constantly appearing
and receding landscape cheer the wound
ed sensibilitles, and with their soothing
influences distract the attention from
sorrow. and by slow and almost imper-
ceptible degrees check the tear, and On
the cheek it has lately believed place
the glow of hope and lend the eye the
faint luster of q bright anticipation. =.
Such were the feelings of Frederick
balfour as ne was conveyed on the
wings OF steam toward his distant desti-
nation. He was q warm-hearted and
generous lad, strongly and deeply at
tachcd to his mother, with that chival-
rous devotion which so often springs
into existence when . father has been
taken away and the remaining parent
clings for support and affection to her
cherished offspring. Tra
With all the enthusiasm Of youth
fond of novelty and excitement-he,
after his first emotions of grief had been
SubduCd, entered into the shirt Of the
scene, and, in conversation with the
other passengers, viewed the ever
changing kaleidoscope of scenery with
out. and meditating on the bright pic.
lures of the future prosperity which
continually fed his imagination, the day
nassed rapidly and cheorfullv AWAY.