Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1880-10-14
His Mothers Blessing.

There was the usual crowd at the de-
pot. Some hurried hither and thither
with sachels, bundles, shawls and all
the other paraphernalia of the we'll
equipped traveller, not excepting the
lunch baskets, which filed the mind of
the beholder with q vague appetite as
his vivid Imagination pictured tooth
some repast of cold chicken, tongue,
preserved sweetmeats, pies and the like,
cIoseted in their dark recesses-
Noticeable among the passengers
which filled the ladies' waiting-room
and overfowed on the platform were 3
distinguished pair-notable anywhere,
but more particularly here in this het-
erogeneous 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
are few spectacles more touching than
the appearance of deep feeling with evil
dent effort at strong and continued re-
straint.
The two persons were mother and
son; the former a widow, clad in the
sable weeds which mutely and sadly
told the story of her bereavement, and
it required but little penetration 10 per-
ceive that this was her only son and
that her heart, sore perhaps from re-
cent affliction, was altogether bound up
in him. She was tall, slender and
stately, and on her white brow, touched
here and there by raven tresses, min
gled 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-
ton has been sacrificed; hose who
have learned in the midst of crushing
sorrow the sublime meaning of those
words: ITO suffer and be strong.n
Her son was a tall, slight and graceful
youth of about eighteen summers, with
the same clear honest eyes, and cheeks
bronzed by the sun, but q forehead
white as alabaster, surmounted by q
waving mass Of nu5 brown curls, which
defed the touch Of the haifdIesser'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 appro iched.
A middle-aged gentleman, portly and
good-natured, made his appearance, and
seeing ourItravelers, exclaimed heartily:
''How dye do, Mrs. Balfour; how are
you, Fred2 Are you going on this
trainP"
81 am going to try my fortune in
Colorado, Mr.. Lawson"
"And your mother?" he said, turning
to her.
"She remains here for the present"
thought perhaps it would be better
for him to leave home for awhile, espe-
cially 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; sit will make man of him to de-
pend on himself. I've no doubt it will
be quite lonely for you, madam, for a
while at least"
Il do not take my own feelings into
consideration, assure you, sir, else
would never give my consent. 1t is only
that 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
thoroughly" she added, with 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
each utterance is felt to be pang. The
trio beguiled the time in conversation
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 a plain gold ring on
his finger, while with trembling lips she
invoked silent blessing on his young
head, bade him goodbye and saw the
swiftly-moving train bear him out ol
sight.
A year had PASSED, and with it had
brought many changes. Surrounded By
the temptations which. in a strange and
dis ant city, are SO apt to lead youne
feet astray, Frederick soon became an
easy prey to more than one vice. His
uncle was immersed in business cares
and, having no children OF his own, a:
not calculated to scrutinize the action,
of his nephew. Besides, most of hi
derelictions from the path of rectitud,
took place out of business hours. wher
the old man was sleeping the sleep o
the just" leaving his ward to do tn,
same if he chose. As Fred was for tn,
most part attentive to his mercantile
! duties, and his uncle -indulgen
(for the former was really lovable an,
prepossessing youth), he took it fo
granted that all was as well as could b.
: expected. and if not. why, :" boys vii