Mower County transcript., 1890-12-17

| way, and kissed my forehead. could
! almost catch the gentle tones with which
knew sho would address me, were she
present now. > ~
Courage, my child; and remember
that mother's prayers are always with
you, and that He who cares for the spar
row will also watch over you and give
you strength for the battle OF life. 1t
is hard, know"
"Can you write letter, Miss?"
The bridge and its great panorama had
long since vanished from my physical
senses; the village home swiftly fol-
lowed now. I came out of my dream.
life with painful shock which left me
for = moment speechless. looked at
| the man dumfounded. Heseemed what,
| in my limited experience, Western
miner ought to look like A broad
brimmed SLOUGH hat, coarse trousers in
side OF heavy boots ana fur coat gave
him the appearance OF grizzly bear,
such as l had seen pictured In my
school-books His face, however, was
kind, pleasant, and wore respectful
expression. lie was man probably
not more than thirty-five years of age.
| Can wri 70 letter?' interrogated,
mechanically, still gazing at him
blankly.
That's about the size Of it, Miss" he
assented, with slight relaxation of his
sad look. "You see, Miss, I've just
come on from Leadville, where I've been
for about ten years. I've made lots OF
money out there in the mines and I've
come back to settle down. Two got to
stay in the city for week or two on
some business. and so thought I'D just
get some one to write letter Cor me to
my old mother"
'l'll write your letter." I said,
promptly. The ''old mother had
settled the matter with me.
But" said l, thoughtlessly, ''why do
not you write it yourself? Your mother,
am sure, would value it more IL writ.
ten by YOU"
Guess couldn't do it, Miss" he
said, with panied look. "1'm learn
ing to write. but I'm afraid the old
mother couldn't read my writing now."
lie had picked up my pencil, and was
scribbling on piece of paper. Gould
You read that?" he asked, handing it to
me.
I managed to decipher mother" hut
that was all could make out.
You used your left hanu," said I;
''why do not you learn to write with
the question was put. and it produced
deeper pain on his face.
ooh! know how to write with that"
said he, hesitatingly.
noticed his increasing pcrplexity,
and also the fact that be did not with
draw his right arm from his coat
pocket.
Then why do you not use that hand?"
l urged, still blunderingly.
swell, Miss. you see left that hand
out in Leadville. An explosion took it
off,"
lie had put the pencil down. and
looked quite discouraged at his efforts.
l longed to make amends for the pain
had thoughtlessly occasioned; so l went
to the little typewriter, saying: II will
write your letter on this"
But what is that?" he asked, with a
puzzled look, laying his hand on the
machine.
Iexplained by showing him . sheet
Of the typewriting. He looked it over
Quizzical'y and handed it back to me
with negative shake of the head, say
ing: mot any for me, Miss. The poor
old mother wouldn't like it. She'd
think it was newspaper work. want
her to have = real, genuine, hand-writ
letter; something more sociable like,
you know"
I hesitated for an instant l was
tired and wanted to get away from the
office. OF course could write his letter
with pen AMI ink; but it was only ques-
tion whether I should humor him or
not decided in his favor. l had been
musing. had long-absent friend
also, out in the Western country some
where. lie had left a mother-and me
years ago. We were very dear to each
other once, buta light cloud separated
US; and yet loved him still. Perhaps
we might yet meet under more Joyous
circumst starces. Who knows?
The stranger noticed my hesitation,
momentary though it was, and VEN
tured: Mother would be so pleased to
have"
''Yes, of course" interrupted, fully
decided. seized pen, and, placing a
sheet of paper before me, said l was
all ready to proceed.
Il want it to go something like this"
he began, thoughtfully: "'Dear old
mother
II want it writ kind and tender like;
just like I'D talk to her if she was
here"
YES" assented, holding my pen
poised.
''But to tell it all to stranger"
'Yes, l understand; but how can
write it for you unless you do?" urged.
Then added: "You can speak freely to
me. have mother, too; good way
from here, and Can imagine am writ
ing to her."
That's so," he replied, Frightening.
while something almost like q blush
overspread his bronzed face.
Then I'll go ahead. Say to her:
Your boy, who left you ten years ago.
on whose head you laid your dear hand
and gave your parting blessing. and
told him to remember you always, and
l ~ IL