Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1881-09-28
Look to the right. Do you see a

wisp, isn't it ?" [ said.
"No, it's too stationary. declare, I
believe we're actually turned round and
that's the Widow Mansells lamp. Five
miles out of our way, and the great salt
marsh not half mile off. IF we had got
in it, we never could have got out living.
in the lions jaws in spite of my boast
We must make for that light. We
shall soon strike light ridge now, for
that is certainly the widows house."
A little more foundering in the mud
and water and then the ridge was gained
The rain moderated and one or two
watery stars peeped out, to that the
darkness was not so intense. The light
grew brighter and brighter, and at last
we pulled up at the gate of large, COM
fortable-looking farmhouse.
you'll find Mrs. Mansel queer
woman" said my companion, as we un-
saddled the horses and turned them
loose in the yard. "TH you about her
when we get under shelter"
He knocked at the door, which was
opened by an elderly woman, evidently
a servant, who called Mr.. Bruce by name
and ushered us into large front room.
Standing in the middle of the floor and
bending forward in an attitude Of expec-
tation, was woman with snow-white
hair. She leaned on a stick, for she
seemed very infirm, and her eyes were
fixed eagerly on the door, which opened
to admit us.
ooh, it isn't Paul" she said, in tones
of disappointment. "What can keep
my boy? Mr.. Bruce, did you see my
Paul? Does the lamp throw out much
light ?"
"Oh yes, Mrs. Mansell," he answer
ed "you can see it nearly five miles
away on the ridge"
81 put two in the window, it was
such dark night" she went on. "My
boy must have plenty of light, you know,
or he might get in the salt marsh
What can keep my Paul? I want him
SO much, " turning upon us her piteous
eyes.
"Oh, you'll see him soon, ma'am,''
Mr.. Bruce said, cheerily. "Don't wor-
ry about him, for it will all come right
ooh, yes, he can't stray, can he, with
that ight?"
She tottered to the window and trimmed
one of the lamps, and then sat down in
an easy chair near it and took no more
notice of us. Every low and then she
els Paul never coming ?"
and at every sound would bend forward
in the attitude of expectancy.
"Is she worse than usual tonight ?"
Mr.. Bruce said, in low voice, to the
servant who had entered again.
"She's always worse stormy nights.
She won't go to bed tonight, but will
sit up there until morning. I've kindled
q fire in one of the bedrooms, Mr..
Bruce, and you and the gentleman had
better go there and dry your clothes.
She won't speak to you again tonight,
poor SOUL"
We had dried our dripping garments,
and were enjoying pleasant talk before
Mr. Bruce satisfied my curiosity about
our singular hostess.
"She had an only son, Paul, he said,
Z" and both mother and son had violent
tempers, and did not try to control them.
She adored Paul, but she did not allow
as she. She sent him away
to school. He returneda handsome, i'm
perious youth of nineteen, who refused
to content himself with the narrow life
in the old home, and insisted upon
wider field of ambition in some other
country.
"She refused positively. She was
we'll off, and all she had in the world was
his, but he must remain there and share
it with her.
GAS an old family friend, I was often
called In to their discussions.
"'I can't breathe here said Paul.
It's not life, it's mere stagnation. If
you want me to be satisfied in such
place and among such people, why did
you send me away and educate me?
Why give me taste of another life, and
then wall me up in this living tomb
I've no taste for cow-herding and hog
hunting, and that's what you want me to
do !"
"You've no taste for anything but
your own selfish will 7 she answered bit
terly. Not dollar of mine goes into
this craze of yours. The life that's good
enough for me is good enough for you;
and if it don't suit-well, you can go;
but without a cent, and you will never
return again, I can tell you! I'm no
silly mother to make ducks and brakes of
my money to crafty the whlms OF silly
boy
He flung out of the room in a fury,
and did my best to persuade the mother
to consent to his leaving her, and making
trial of the life he longed for. He
would probably fail think he wanted
to be an artist,-and then he would be
content with his pleasant home. The
nest of the old birds, [ told her, did not
restrain the young ones who wanted to
try their wings.
81 spoke to deaf ears. She only said,
He's my only son, and while live, he
shall never leave me with my consent. ,
"When left the bouse, Paul joined
me on horseback. I was interested in
the lad and saw that mother and son
were making themselves wretched by
their own wilfulness. [ counselled SUBJ
mission, and told Paul that his mother
might yield in time to his wishes.
"Neverp he cried. IF I can't be
happy her way, she prefers making me
miserable. You say she cloves me. Per-
hans she does h11t IFS q stranoa kind Of