The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1883-04-05

AVA L AA0W AAO WoAvCu w say 6OUA0
Earmer.folks are generally: very silent.
Silence is the rule, conversation the ex-
ception. And when they do speak they
have something to say. So + waited,
and he said, after clearing his throat
and looking out of the open door:
"If she would just cry or sleep. She
has not shed q tear since the baby died.
thought she bore up real we'll, but q
woman who came over to help Law 1t
out said she hoped she'd have 4 CRYING
spell soon.' l didn't think 10. much
about it then; but l reckon 'twould haye
'Has she no mother or sister to come
and stay, with her?' Iasked. He shook
his head. -. -, -, r. 50
"Her mother died soon after We were
married, and she was an only child, I
have sister. but she has little children
and could not come, even if Minnie
wanted her. Our farmhouse is unusually
far away from any neighbors, and those
nearest have never been such as she
was used to, or cared to see much.
never realized until lately how lonesome
she's BEEN"
Thought of the years spent in this
isolated life. The leaving of all girl
hoods associations and friends in the
distant New England State, and coming
TO this new, strange life; of the babies
who had come like CLEANS Of sunshine,
and then were snatched away to leave
the lonesome monotony almost unen-
durable; Of the settling down t. hard,
unceasing work that filed the empty
hands but got the aching heart; of the
last baby Who had come like 4 food of
sunshine to the lonely house and mother
hAopk 0r1 thu fh~nn sn1~<hc TIL,
she held her darling close-so close! and
then-oh, how could it be! the bright,
beautiful boy must be laid with the
others. in the grassy slope. thought
Of all this as left the dining room and
crossed the hall to her door. The warm
sunset came in through the western
window. She was lying with her face
toward it, the far-away, hungry look in
her eyes.
Mrs. o." I said, ash took h
thin, feverish hand in mine, lis there
no one who could come and stay with
you, whom you would love to have near
you and care for your"
"No 0ne," she said, YEARLY.
"HoW you must wish for your mother
now" went on.
Mother" she repeated, catching at
the word; Mother? Yes. It Is mother
l want now. How l do want herl I
need my mother now"
1t was a woman of thirty five lying be.
fore ME, yet it did not sound childish.
1t came to her like fresh thought-as
of something SO impossible it had not
occurred to her. If I Could only bring
the tears to her eyes, thought, as re-
membered her husbands words, "Ifshe
would only cry or sleep! A silent prayer
went up from my heart to the plying
Father in Heaven, and like an inspira-
tian came those beautiful verses of Eliza
beth Akers Allen.
"Do you care for poetry2" I asked,
as she started to turn the subject.
II used to-" she answered.
"Now. if you'll close Your eyes and
try to sleep, I want to repeat some to
you l know you'll like" She smiled
sadly, but shut them and rested her
cheek on her other hand like tired
child. And I began:
Backward, turn backward, O time, in your
flight,
Make me child again justIfor tonight;
Mother. come back from the echoeless
shore, -.
Take me- again to your heart as of wore,
Kiss from my forehead the burrows of care.
SIN Doth the silver threads out of my hair,
Over my slunl Der your loving watch keep,
Rock ae to sleep, mother rock me to sleep.
How still she was! It seemed as if she
hardly breathed.
Backward, flow backward, O tide of the
am so weary Of tolls and oftears, 49,.
Toll without recOnlpense, tears all in vain,
Take them and give me my childhood again.
! have grown weary of dust and decay,
Weary of flinging my soul-we away,
Weary OF sowing for others to reap;
Was it the echo Of sigh that trembled
on the air? And ah! her lips culver.
fired of the hollow, the base, and untrue,
Mother, y mother, my heart calls for you.
Many summer the grass has grown green,
Blossomed and faded our faces between;
Yet with strong yearning and passionate
Long I tonight for your presence again;
Come from the silence so long and so deep,
Rock me to sleep mother, rock me to sleep
Can it be tears tnat glitter on the dark.
lashes? And-oh, they come! Stealing
under the lids, down the pale cheeks,
though the thin fipgers sinking softly
in the pillow:
Come ,3.; let your brown hair just lighted
Fall on your shoulders again as Of old;
Let it fall over my forehead tonight
Shading my faint eyes away from the light.
For with Its sunny-edged shadow once more
HAPPY will throng the sweet visions of yore;
Lovingly, softly, its bright pillows sweep,
Rock ME to sleep, mother, rock me to sleep.
Still the tears came. Silently, steadily.
Great warm, refreshing tears, that had
long refused to flow. Ny voice was
very unsteady as 1 began the last verse:
Mother, dear mother, the years have been
long
Since last listened thy lullaby song;
Sing then, and unto my soul it shall seem
Womanhood's years have been only dream
Clasped to thine arms in loving embrace,
With thy light lashes just sweeping my face
Never hereafter to wake or to weep.
r ok me to sleep mother, rock me to sleep,
hardly dared stir lest break the
spe !, and repeated the last verse over
and over again though there was no
need, for the hand held relapsed its
hold, and-she slept! Was ever poem
sent on more direct mission?"
The sunset had faded into twilight.
heard the low twinkling of the COW bells
as the herd-boy drove them. slowly
honey ward. Some latebird called to its
mate from .neighboring tree. rose
softly to 60, and turning, saw Mr.. c.
standing in the doorway. The tears
were in his eyes as we'll, and look
shone from their honest depths that was
not for me to share. AS passed him /
whispered, ''She is safe" And she was.
Mr.. Jonathan Bowers, ofBlancheste:, O.,
writes: II am " years ofage. keep Guy
sott's Yellow Dock and sarsaparilla always
tite and keeps me from having dYspe psia.