The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1885-05-27
A Mothers Dclusion.

This city, writes a Springfield (Aiass.)
correspondent to the New1 ork Tribune,
has not lacked a share in the sad ro-
nance of the late Arctic explorations.
Several years ago promising young
man here, the only son of a widowed
mother, and a general favorite in social
circles, caught the ''Arctic fever. and
against the protests of his family and
friends Joined one of the relief eXpedl-
tions. For a time all went well. but as
has so often happened, the ships were
frozen in and the men were forced to
take to the ice to make their way out.
On their dreary march to the nearest
station cake of ice on which the
Springfield boy happened to be was de-
tached from the main foe and he was
carried out to sea. His comrades were
unable to rescue him, and he drifted
off into the darkness, as they were only
too sure. to certain death. The re-
mainder of the party arrived safely at
their destination. As soon as possible
the news of the young mans loss was
sent to his mother, but she obstinately
refused TO believe that he was dead.
Her faith was strengthened by the ar
rival. some months later, of letter
her son had written her on the Christ
mas day preceding the abandonment
OF the ships. in which he spoke conf
IDENTIFY of being with her almost as soon
as the letter reached her. As 1t had
been sent by roundabout way across
Siberia and Russia, the delay was only
natural. but the mother saw in 1t 5
fresh confirmation of her hopes.
II L. . =.
to a monomania, and she determined
to leave no means untried OF ascertain
ing if her son really lived Without
the knowledge of her family. she went
to medium who happened to be il
Springfield at the time and consulted
her as to the whereabouts OF an absen
friend. Her excitement was increased
by being told that the person of whom
| she asked had been cast away in ia
country among savage tribes, who hae
nursed him tenderly through long i'll
ness; that he was still weak, but wa
ON the road to health. Almost besid
herself, the poor mother tried in yail
to convert her family to her belief
| Finding it impossible to shake he
| faith in her sons existence by argu
ment. they finally tried change OF seen
and travel. But while in Boston sh
once more visited a clairvoyant, who
strangely enough. confirmed the state
ments of the former medium. Thi
one described in dramatic terms-firsi
young man picked up in mid-ocea
by a passing vessel; then port in
4 distant land, ships in harbor, figure
in strange costumes moving about th
streets, speaking in foreign Language
a small house near the water, in it th
same youth. once more recovering frol
J a severe illness and longing for hom'
but unable to find the means to retur
to his own country
OF course, after this second exper
) ence. it was useless to try further d
) version, even had the broken-hearte
t woman not insisted on returning hon
4 to be ready in case any news shou
| come of her boy. The delusion was .
J strong that as last resort her frien,
! wrote begging the commander of Il
/; expedition to come to Springfield al
J let the mother hear from his ov
! lips the story of her sons disappea
' ance, hoping that in this manner 81
/ might be convinced that he was real
i | dead. The kind-hearted captain can
0 and told the sad story, and for viii
4 the mother seemed to accept the i
d eyitable. But the old belief soon I
! sumed its sway. and she il aga
v watching and waiting for tidings tn
r can never come.