Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1882-02-27
My Mothers Secret.

member anything. I had been edu-
Gated at DR.. Sartain's school, and
from thence had gone to college.
There had never been any lack of
money. The bills had been paid
promptly. had pocket-money and
good clothes, but never went home
for the holidays, and no one ever
came to see me. On my thirteenth
birthday watch was sent to me,
with 'sFrom your loving mother" en-
graved in the case, and then I said
to DR.. Sartain
"When am to see my parents? !?
This seems as though my mother low
ed me. Does she never care to see
me?''
DIR. Sartain answered:
'sYour mother is very fond of you,
and an excellent mother, but your
father is compelled to remain absent
from home"
I supposed from this that my par
ents were both abroad, and asked no
more questions.
-Four years after this the news was
sent me that my father was dead, but
there was no alteration in my posi-
ton. I went to college, chose my
profession-the law-and finally en-
tered the office of Gay & Brothers,
with every prospect of success in my
career. / had but one anXiety-my
strange position.
My parents, it appeared to me,
must be wealthy. If they were also
respectable, why had my father never
sent for me? Why did my mother
never give me any token of her de-
sire to see her son? I was a man
now. l had the right to ask the
question and to be answered. But /
feared the answer, and | delayed.
My acquaintances were many; my
friends four-the doctor, his wife,
my old fellow-pupil at his school,
Roger Wharton, and my laundress.
Yes, the laundress, Aunt Betsey,
ss every one called her. humble
though she was, was one of my
friends. and not the least valued of
them.
She was a good old woman, straight
and thin, but strong and hearty. She
had taken ''the boys things to wash
ever since | could remember. A boy
drove little donkey cart to the door
with the great baskets on it, but she
came once week to bring her bills
and get her money, | suppose; and
the doctors wife made much of her,
and told her about the children's do
ings, and the boys were pleased to
see her round little face. She had
taken a special fancy to Roger Whar-
ton and to me, and our linen always
came home mended and our stockings
darned. OF course, she took my
washing home, now that | lived indie
pently, and the moderation of hel
prices was novelty in the laundry
world.
"You ask too little" l sometimes
said. But she always answered:
II charge quite enough-quitt
enough, Mr.. Arthur
She kept up her interest in m,
studies still, admired my law books
and wondered at my knowledge.
was more pleased to see Aunt Betse,
come into my room than | was to SCI
many a fine acquaintance whose rec
ognition was an honor. | shall al
| ways be glad to remember that.
l confided in her a little, and on
day she looked at me solemnly, shool
her head and said:
''Ah, boys need mother. D.
you ever think of yours, lad"
''More than she does of me-" / an
swered.
''Don't dare say that, lad,' sal
the old woman. Your mother is sore
hearted to be parted from you lik
this
GLOW do you know?" l cried
starting up. ''Do you know m
mother, Aunt Betsey?"
She gathered up her basket, look
ing at me askance.
"Whatever I know 1 keep to my
SELF" she said !; ''but remember you
mother loves you, always has, an
always will. Remember that" An
she went her way.
That evening thought her word
over until / could bear it no longer
and putting on my hat, | went to Dl
Sartain's house, determined to as
him who and what my parents were
The doctor and Mrs. Sartain So
| together in his study, and l took th
chair which was offered to me, an
drew it between theirs.
Il have come to ask you som
! questions, [ said-''questions that
have right to ask. Will you prom
D ise to answer them?"
: sPromise, my love- said Mr.
e Sartain.
u will decide when | have hear
E the questions" replied the doctor.
t 'sThey are simple" I answered
}, "Who was my father? Who is n
o mother? Why have never seen n
! parents? Where does my moth
live?"
= l paused for reply. The doct'
d put his finger-tips together, and I
: piled thus:
) 'Your father was named, lii