Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1885-10-03

When the news came to his fathers |
ears he refused to give his son aid or
countenance.
II am done with him. Let them
send him to the State prison; he de-
serves it,"
But the mother, her faithful heart
going out in yearning pity for her
erring boy, stood and pondered how
she might save him.
In little while she turned, and
entering the pleasant cottage went
slowly upstairs and into the cham
Der in which her daughter Rose was
sewing on her bridal robes.
Sitting down beside her she told
her the story of her brothers. trouble.
Rose understood her mothers mean
ing even before she could put it into
words. There was a little box on
the table which contained her mar
riage dowry. Little by little the ia
Their and mother had boarded it in
their only daughters name, that she
might not be dOwerless on her we'd
ding day.
Pretty Rose took the box and put it
in her mothers hands.
"Take it, mother, and do with it as
you think BEST" she said.
"Heaven bless you, my daughter
but it's hard to deprive you of your
dowry, and your wedding day 50
near"
Roses cheeks bloOmed like her
namesake's in the garden below and
her blue eyes lit up.
"Never mind that, mother" she
said. Charlie will be willing to take
me without the dOwry; Pm sure Of
it."
So Mrs. Arnold took the box and
went her way. Before the day ended
she refunded the money to Mr.. Rob
insOn, the charge was withdrawn and
her boy out of prison.
81 can't go home, mother. Father
doesn't want me; he told me So"
said Dick, as they stood under the
green locust trees beyond the cottage
lawn.
"Let me get out into the world and
work my way up, and then I'll come
back"
She put her arms around his neck,
and looked up at him with streaming
eyes.
"Oh, Dick, my boy, my darling,
you will do better-you will, Dick,
for mothers sake"
eyes, mother, God being my help
er, will. Tve caused you so much
trouble, and you've always been good
and gentle to me, mother. Forgive
) me now; Pll come back and be a
comfort to you yet"
"My boy, 1 forgive you, and l be-
| lieve in you. Here, Dick" and she
drew purse and little worn Bible
, from her bosom, "yOu may need the
money; the Bible is mine, Dick
mothers Bible, don't forget that.
, Mother has read it every day and
night for the last thirty years. You'll
, think of that, Dick, and you'll read
= it, for mothers sake"
eyes, mother"
f "Every night, no matter where you
, may be, you'll read chapter, and
. get down on your knees and pray the
little prayer mother taught you, if
| nothing else? Promise me, Dick.
Every night at ten o'clock-at that
+ hour / shall be on my knees praying
, for you, my boy. shall never miss
Y a night, Dick, while live; promise
+ you'll do it, for mothers sake"
Dick tried to promise, but he let
4 his handsome head drop on his moth
K er's head and wept there like child
= AS the sun set they parted.
It "Good-bye, my boy, and God bles,
k you. You will keep your promise p
: eyes, mother, with Gods help
d Goodbye"
r, Across the fields with the little Ri
l. BILE in his bosom and his bundle OF
n his arm, went poor erring Dick, anC
down the pathway Mrs. Arnold re
turned to the cottage.
d "I'll never give up my boy" sh,
declared. MY prayers shall prevail
|, with God for him. He'll return t,
r us yet and be the comfort of our oil
le age"
er But her husband, bitter and re
le mOrseful of heart, laughed her t
e scOrn.
y Month followed month summer
came and went /; harvests were sow