Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-06-12

Her lad, she tells us, is her only re
naming child She had six, and this
the youngest, is the only one who dlt
not die of want during the Lancashire
cotton famine. He grew up fine, likel.
boy, the comfort and pride of his moth
er's heart and the stay of her declining
years But a ssstrike'' threw him out Of
work, and unable to endure the privatior
and misery, in fit of desperation he en-
listed. His regiment was quartered a
Fort George, and he wrote regularly t.
his mother, his letters getting more
cheerful and hopeful every day, unit
suddenly he wrote to say that his regi-
ment was ordered to India, and begging
her to send him her blessing, as he had
not enough money to carry him to Liver
pool to see her The widowed mother,
widowed and childless, save tor this one
remaining boy, felt that she must look on
his face once more before she died. She
begged from few ladies, whose kind
ness had kept her from the wOrkhOuSe,
sufficient money to carry her by train to
Glasgow, and from thence she had made
her way, now on foot, now begging lift
from a passing cart or wagon, to within
few miles of Fort George, when she was
caught in the snow storm, and wandering
from the road would have persisted in the
snow but for Laddie.
| My wife is in tears, and Mary is sobbing
audibly as the little old woman concludes
her touching and simple story, and l
walk to the window and look out before
| ask her what her sons name is. AS
tell her we are but few miles from Fort
George, and that 1 will send over for
| him, smile of extreme contentment
| illumines the withered face.
ellis name is John Salter,' she says,
che is tall and handsome They will
know him by that
| hasten down stairs and write short
note to Col. Freeman, whom know in
timateiy, informing him of the circum-
stances, and begging that he will allow
John Salter to come over at once; and
l dispatch my groom in the dog-cart
that he may bring him back without loss
of time
AS return to the house after seeing
him depart, 1 met Dr. Bruce leaving the
house.
''Poor old soul9' he says; cher troubles
are nearly over; she is sinking fast. al
most doubt whether she will live till her
son comes"
elbow she could have accomplished
such journey at her age cannot under
stand" observe.
stNothing is impossible to mother"
answers DR.. Bruce; "but it has settled
her,"
go in; but cannot settle to my usual
occupations My thoughts are with the
aged heroine, who is dying upstairs, and
presently yield to the destinations that
draws me back to her presence.
AS DR.. Bruce says, she IS sinking fast.
She lies back on the pillows, her cheeks
as ashy gray as her hair: She clasps my
wife's hands in hers, but her eyes are
wide open, and have an eager, eXpectant
look in them.
cat what time may we expect them?"
whispered my wife to me.
''Not before A. answer in the same
tone.
"He will be too late, [ fear" she says;
"she is getting rapidly weaker"
But love is stronger than death, and
she will not 90 until her son comes. All
through the winters day she lies dying,
obediently taking what nourishment is
given her, but never speaking except to
say, 'sMy lad! my lad! God is good.
He will not let me die till he comes
And at last [ hear the dog-cart. l lay
my finger on my lip and tell Mary to go
and bring John Salter up very quietly.
But my caution is needless; the mother
has heard the sound, and with last eff
fort of her remaining strength she raises
herself and stretches out her arms. ''My
lad, my lad!" she gasps, as with great
sob, he springs forward, and mother and
son are clasped in each others arms once
more.
For moment they remain So Then
the little woman sank back on my wife's
shoulder, and her spirit is looking down
from Heaven on the lad she so dearly
loved on earth.
She lies in our little churchyard, under
spreading yew tree, and on the stone
which marks her resting place are in
scribed the words, "Faithful unto
Death.' Our Laddie has gained far
spread renown for his good works, and as
l sit finishing this short record of a tale
of which he is the hero, he lies at my
feet, -FOUR ever watchful, faithful compan
ion and friend.