Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-03-21

MOTHER WHO WILL NOT BELIEVE HER soN
persisted IN THE ARCTIC SEA.
A correspondent OF the New York Tribune
writing from Springfield, Mass, says: This
city has not lacked a share I'm the sad romance
of the late arctic explorations. Several years ego
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 expeditions. For a time
all went well, but as has so often happened,
the ships were frozen in and the men were
forced 10 take TO the ice TO make their way out.
On their dreary march TO the nearest
station, cake OF ice on which the Spring
field boy happened to be was detached from
the main Zoe aud he was carried out
him and he driIted off into the darkness as
they were only too sure, TO certain death. The
Ielnalnaer Oh the party arrived safely at their
the young mans loss was sent to his mother
but she obstinately refused TO believe that be
was dead. Her faith was strengthened by tho
arrival, some months later, of q letter her SON
had written her on Christmas day preceding
the abandonment of the ships, In which he
spoke confidently of being with her almost a.
soon as the letter reached her. As IL had been
sent Sent by a roundabout way across siberia and
mother saw in 1t fresh confirmation OF her
hopes.
monomania, and she determined to leave no
means untried OF ascertaining IL her son really
lNeu- WITHOUT the knOWledge OF her family.
she went 10 medium" who happened to be
In Springfield al the time and consulted her as
to the whereabouts OF an absent friend. Her
excitement was increased by being told that
the person OF whom she asked had been cast
away in a far country among savage tribes who
had nursed him tenderly through long illness:
that he was still weak, but was on the road 10
health. Almost beside herself the poor mother
tried In vain TO convert her family to her belief
Finding IL impossible to shake her faith in her
sons existence by argument, they finally tried
change OF scene and travel But while In Bos-
ton she once more visited a clairvoyant who,
strangely enough, confirmed the statements OF
the former medium. This one described, in
dramatic terms, first, a young man picked up
In m1d-ocean by q passing vessel; then q port In
q distant land, ships in q harbor, figures Ia
strange costumes moving about the streets,
speaking foreign language small house near
the water, In II the same youth, once more re-
covering from severe illness and longing for
home, but unable to find the means TO return
to his own country.
OF course, after this second experience, ft was
useless TO try further diversion, even had the
broken-hearted woman not insisted upon re-
turning home 70 be ready In case any news
should come OF her boy. The deluston Wa 90
strong that as q last resort her friends wrote
begging the commander OF the expedition
to come to Springfield and let the mother hear
from his own lips the story Of her sons dis
appearance, hoping that in this manner she
might be convinced that be was really dead
The kind-hearted captain came and told the sad
story, and for q while the mother seemed 10
accept the inevitable. But the old belief coon
resumed its sway, and she ID again watching
and waiting for udings that can never come.