Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1886-07-01
MOTHER AND SON.

He was cabinet-maker, who worked
all day in beautiful sheets of rosewood
and black walnut. She was a book
folder. They had become acquainted on
that stormy autumn night when the
wind turned her umbrella inside out,
and she had to run half block after her
flying dinner-basket.
1t was lucky that he was on hand to
adjust the umbrella and recapture the
dinner-basket from whooping gang Of
street-arabs.
And then they met once or twice at
church, and at the Bible-cIass of Sun
day afternoon, and old Mrs. Tyson, the
minister's wife, asked them both to tea.
She had been young herself, and she
understood the signs and symptoms
So they were married, and hired neat
little fat, furnishing it as best they could.
'Isn't it nice9" said Emmy. tOh,
Ralph, don't you wish we had some one
to visit us2n
sIf it would be company for you, my
dear" said Ralph Crystal, smiling.
s'But there's no one that know Of, y
mused Emmy, Except some far-away
cousins in Dakota And never knew
much about them. Oh, Ralph, haven't
yOu any relationsa''
His face clouded over.
81 don't know whether have or moi, .
said he. 'sOh, Emmy, God help me,
I've left my past behind me!'
He had sunk into a chair, with his
head in his hands. She went softly be-
hind him and laid her cheeks against his
forehead.
'Tell me, Ralph, = said she s'what is
ita Why have you never spoken to me
about it beforegp
sBecause,n he answered, sT didn't
want to appear like a savage. Although
don't think I've claim to be called
anything else.''
"What is it, RalphaD she repeated.
II ran away from home when was
sixteen, Emmy, " he replied, moodiIy.
'Father was strict and cross with me. I
don't say he was right, but now as 1
look back to it, know that / also was
wrong.
Il ran away from home, and came
to the city to fight my way for myself.
And when had earned enough to make
little home, came back to get my
mother out Of the atmosphere that wasn't
natural to her any more than it was to
me.
Il was q fool to suppose that time was
going to stand sti.l for my convenience.
When I got back to Hickory Falls,
father was dead and the folks had moved
away one knew where. Oh, Emmy.
can't tell you how l felt when heard
itr
"But Ralph, soothed the young wife,
you will hnd her. No one could ever
be lost
tive tried, Emmy-Tve tried my
best, and il is of no use, he sighed.
Emmy was silent for a second or two.
I'ye always wanted a mother . she
murmured, half to herself, and Ralphs
mother would bealI the same as my own. =,
After that, she secretly devoted her.
self to the task of restoring to her hus-
band the dear old mother whom he had
loved and lost.
She studied Mrs. Crystals photograph,
whose stiffness of detail and costume
could not obscure the sweetness of the
spectacled eyes and the gentle wistful
lines Of the mouth.
She visited all the Old Ladies' Homes
in the neif rhood; she asked questions
here, there and everywhere. Whenever
she heard of solitary old woman any
where, she made pilgrimage to see her
and ascertain her history.
She even ventured--of course without
Ralph's knowledge-to insert timid
title advertisement among the per
sonals" Of the daily paper, but nothing
ever came Of IT.
But I shall find her yeti'' she kept
repeating to herself 4 am sure that I
shall. =
Ofcourse, all this had its disadvantages.