The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1884-01-17

Yet with it mingled the longing to find
my mother and tell her of my happiness
One day told old Aunt Betsey, who
was counting my cuffs and collars.
"Aunt Betsey," / said, "pernaps /
shall be married some day"
Lord bless us!' cried Aunt Betsy,
"you seem such q boy"
1t will not be at, once" said, "bui
after | am we'll on in my profession.
love her dearly. She is Charles Rush.
toms daughter."'
"Miss Rushton!' said Aunt Betsey.
She folded her hard little hands togeth-
er and stood looking at me. "The very
| top of the ladder" she said. erich and
stylish. anil aigh family, and 80 pretty.
But you'll have your things done in the
family then, and see no more of old
| Betsy"
"I'll give YOU my collars while have
| one lett, and all my wite's ruffles, too"
al don't want hers" said Betsy, cross.
| ly. "Wish you joy, Mr.. Arthur Var.
ley. Pm sure it's fine match-but her
| things / don't care for"
"Too, much trouble, l suppose" l
said, as the door closed.
But thought of my mother more and
more. and as that day was the one on
which drew my allowance, went up
| to the doctors house, intending to
make one more effort TO move him to
tell me where to find my mother.
The doctor sat nlone II. his study. An
envelope lay before him. As he saw
me he drew it toward him, took out a
parcel of hank notes, and with them
letter, which he at once returned to the
| envelope and thrust into his vest pock-
| ct.
"a letter from my mother" l said and
looked at the vest.
1t was an ordinary black vest, but the
cut was lower than that usually wore.
He paid me my weekly allowance,
said that my mother sent her love, and
heard of my hopes and wished me joy.
And after few words more took leave
sought Mrs. Sartain at once.
Mrs. Sartain," | said, cts growing
very cold, and noticed that the doctor
has low-cut vest on. Get it off of him
or he may have an attack of pneumonia.
A gentleman I know caught cold which
resulted in consumption in that way.
Take high vest into him and insist on
his wearing it at once"
"You good boy" cried the doctors
wife; show thoughtful of you" And
away she ran. l followed.
"Only to look at this en- 'yclopedia a
moment" l said, and buried my face in
the book, while the lady urged the ex-
change of vests, and the gentlemen pro-
tested; finally | saw, the treasure borne
away, and followed. Good Mrs. Sartain,
little did she guess that, as walked be-
hind her, 1 picked the pocket of the
garment she carried under-her arm.
| had the letter, and could scarcely
wait long enough to get to q place of
safety before opening it. At last, in q
little ice cream saloon, sat behind a Ia
BILE shiny with oil cloth. and plentifully
adorned with the marks of saucer bot
toms, and opened the note. 1t began
thus:
~ haye heard my boy is to be married.
my heart aches. almost wish / had
not done what l did, but how could let
the poor fellow bear the shame OF his
fathers crime? And now I'd rather die
than have him know; but my heart
aches, my heart aches. No, no, no.
say again, never tell him. 1 am sick
with sorrow and fear. Write and tell
me you'll never tell. Do you remember
my number? 1t is 20 Bloomington
road"
had at last, my mothers dwelling
place, and clew to her conduct. MY
father had in some way shamed us both,
but now I would 60 to her; we would
know each other, and this good moth.
er.
Bloomington Road was in the suburbs
of our city. She was near me then
only an hour or two lay between us. /
flew home, dressed myself and called
cab. / had not patience to walk. As l
drove onI pictured my mother-a grace.
full lady in middle life; her hair touched
with gray; her smile sad, though sweet.
There was picture in the doctor's
drawing room which fancied resembled
her--the portrait of an English duchess.
Bloomington Road number 2O.' cried
the cabman opening the door.
stepped out and looked about me.
Number 20 was plain, two-roomed cot
tage, with long shed attached. I had
always believed my mother to be rich
handle of the little bell. A girl with her
sleeves rolled up from her wet arms and
rubber apron opened the door.
Mrs. Variety" asked, "does she
live here?"
"I'Il call her." said the girl, and left
me alone; and heard her voice repeat
ing the name IN the distance.
Then another voice, crying, eyes
I'm coming" and q quick step approach.
ing, and before me stood old Aunt Betsy,
and ON the instant the truth rushed upon
me, and l cried out:
"Mother.'
There was my mother, little and
wrinkled, and strong eyes and red
cheeks, and her calico dress pinned up
over her flannel petticoat; and when /
said "Motherp she shut the door and
held up both her hands, and said in 8
shrill whisper:
sHush! hush! hush! Who told your
Keep it to yourself. You're a gentle.
man. You're to marry Mr.. Rushton's
girl. Don't say that again. Go away;
60 away. And keep it secret, as will
Col"
But I took her hand and drew her t.
"Mother, why did you do this? What
did my father do?" asked.
"He was porter in bank, Arthur"
died in prison, He came near being
hung, for he killed man trying to gel
away. And l thought I'd spare my boy
the shame, and sent you TO the oocrors
school. I've made money, lad, but a
laundry is not genteel. I know it WELL
Think of Miss Rushton. Co."
But I answered.: kiss me, mother.
I shall tell Ada Rushton the truth, and
you shall toll for me no more"
No, Ada Rushton did not marry me,
and some of my friends dropped off, but
l bore it very well. his is Is years ago
and / am 40 now; hut yesterday l mar
ried, and who so glad as my old mother,
who kissed me tenderly on my wedding
morning ard said:
''She's the wife I'd choose for you
Arthur, and not a proud, insolent thing
like that Miss Rushton' And you are
happy, dear"
And 1 answered truly: "No happier
man under the sun, Observation-Disclosures.