The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-10-26
TIE MOTHERS BLESSING.

''Your home is inst beyond that point
S it not, Frank"
Eyes, captain
TT is too dark for you to see it"
Eyes; but shall be able to see the
signal"
"What signal, Frank"
'"The light in the window"
81 do not exactly understand you
Frank"
Then l will explain to you, sir
You know that l have been with you
seven years In entering your service,
nv mother gave me her blessing, and
committed me to the care of heaven and
yourself. I was seven years of age the
day first sailed with you, and l am
fourteen now. Have ever given you
any cause of complaint, sir?"
sNever. Frank. But what of the light
in the Window
"Have you never heard me speak OF it
before?'
81 have heard you speak of your sig
mails as you rounded this point; but L
supposed you referred to your mothers
cottage, or the lights burning in it,"
"It was light which burned in one
particular window"
How could you distinguish any par
ticular window at this distances"
81 will tell you, and then you may
Judge for yourself. When left home
nv mother said to me: Frank, you are
now going to sea. Most of your trips
will be made from New York to New
Orleans and return. When your are
homeward bound, you will pass that
point. If it be in daylight. you can see
our cottage; and if am alive and we'll
our flag will be waving over it. Ii il
should be dark when you come IN sight
YOU will see light in the window, fol
shall know about the time to look fol
YOU. and as soon as darkness comes on
the signal shall always be waiting"
"And you have always seen that ligh
as you passed this point?"
ALWAYS. This is the twenty -thir(
trip we have made, and never but once
have we passed that cottage in daylight
The signal is always there; and tel
you, captain, it always makes my hear
bound with Joy as 1 gaze upon 1t.
shall see it again in q moment"
Would you not like to be set ashor
opposite your home, Frank"
IF could be spared, sir"
s.Yes. We are from a Southern port
and though our ship is perfectly healthy
we will probably be obliged to remai
at quarantine for time, as the yello'
fever is raging below. You will hav
time to join us before we go into Ne'
York"
'eI would like to land sir" said Frank
his face becoming very pale.
''You can do so. But what is tn
natter"
"Look yonder, sir"
ST see nothing particular.
''That is it sir. cannot see it my
self"
1.-The signal?"
eyes, sir The light is not there"
''Are you sure?"
"Yes; and it should be, for we ar
several days behind our usual time"
Perhaps that is the reason of il
Your mother may think that We are i
port, and be expecting you to enter tn
house every moment"
"Csptain, something is wong, for sh
never removes the light until 1 set fee
in the cottage, after it has once bee
placed in the window"
Are YOU sure you are in sight OF tn
cottage.'
Eyes; for I can see it, although indi
tinot in the moons rays"
"well, we will land you, and you ca
see what is the matter"
It required but few moments to 81
Frank Ludlow upon the shore, and wit
heavy heart he bent his steps towar6
ne home of his youth"
Frank had reached little gro,
which adjoined his youthful home; b'
here he paused and stood for son
time in silence. Tears started into b
eyes, and he repeated the name of
mether in low tone. Then, as
afraid to go Harvard and satisfy himsel
he called in q louder voice, and ST
louder, but only an echo came back
greet his ears.
A faintness came over the lad and
sank back upon the ground. But
started to his feet again as if he hi
been stung by q serpent. He had s. at
himself upon freshly turned cart
and its damppess chilled lin.
turned TO look upon the spot. but t
tears blinded his vision. He b ush
them away, however, and then gaz
upon the earth where he had sank
A fresh mound met his gaze. IT "
newly made grave; and. with cry
agony, the boy fell upon it. He cali
upon his mother to come back, only
. moment, to bid him farewell. But
lsnce, desthly silence was around hil
Presently hand touched him. and
started to his feet. He recognized o.
r. 4 = ~~:<~lI ,-. o.J ha esLoJ.