Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-08-24
CAN MOTHER FORGET?
fBlacswood's Magazlne.i

London stands little whitewashed house,
differing from the squalid places round 1t
only in its perfect cleanliness: for on EN-.
ter,np nothing hut the plainest and most
necessary furnishings are 70 be found.
One bitter night early in February there
sat, in the hardly-furnisbed sittng-room, a
Voune priest. He was evidently expecting
some one and some one he loved Tor,
from time 10 time, he stirred the ire ana
looked with something like sigh at the
meagre meal which was prepared on tns
table. al must not put on Goals, ne sou
TO himself; for If the fire IL really oriehss
when he comes in, he will grudge hiiisen
the warmth. dare not make ready a CONF CONF
Portable meal, for he will grudge hli! Zen
HE food. II il Away so. for he THINKS tna5
he alone can do without rest wa, ntn, Hni
comfort: for oh, how tender ana thouehV-
full he IS about every one else
IA no sat down again the door opened 10
admit q fall poyerful man, looking weary
beyond words and Wet 10 the SKIN. ~
needed not his clerical dress 20 assure any
who saw HIM what bis calling was, Tor III
;rtere.t;ng as his face must have been
nnder any circumstances II was rendered
beautiful by the beauty Of holiness, and
The streupth and sweetness mingled III ~
made il like tho face of an angel.
"Dear brother" he said a. he came IN.
"I can 90 ont no more this night. Tor my
BODY is 50 weary and my heart so sore that
feel helpless and dispirited as l nave
rarelv felt before. The sin and the suffer-
ing. the wretchednesS and poverty. and'
above all. the cry OF the children are
breaking my heart. And If mine~,(h'
Thou loving Shepherd what must inc
suffering be TO Thee. IN Thy perfect purity
and uneoualled tenderness. How long,
Oh. Lord, how long ., ,..,-;.l 10
face in his hands for a few moments, while
the Younger priest looked 90 him sadly ana
anyiouslv II was so unusual for rather
Wsr,sp's face 70 be clOuded and 50 rare tor
his spirit 10 be dependent that he felt
eure something was wrong. anu that over
work and constant exposure were ~ last
beginnipr TO tell even on his magnincent
besith and frame. Now, dear father he
said beseechinglv, " do put on dry clothes
and rest this evening and take long quiet
sIeen for II YOU persist in this constant
.elf fcrretfulness. you will have to give up
work altogether, and | think no greater
trouble could befall You and us than that ~
Well. truly" replied Father warren,
al am resolved TO 60 out no more tnl s
NIGHT. for though the spirit Is wiling the
flesh is weak" He had hardly finished
speakinc when ring was heard at the
door and the servant entering said,
Father. q lady desires TO see you, ana
bees Won will not refuse her."
"Iet me GO" said the young, priest
iumping up. 1T Is too hard. TINS per
petual importantly. l VIII SPEAK 20 noi
and tel her how unfit you are TO DO any
Thing more or see any one this evening"
"Do 40. my SON" said Father warren
"but let il be courteously and gently saiu'
nc befts those who speak IN the name OF a
gentle and never-weary Master.
The voung man crossed himself ana leit
The room. lie returned. however, after O
few minutes. with disappointed ana soIlo-
what mortified air. r..,,ou
INT desires TO see you and you on y ana
On very truth feel myself asking for her
her nleoding il so touching and her long
inc so earnest that have gone over TO heI
AIDE and can resist her wish no longer"
Father Warren rose brskly and SAID
"Do not let her wait moment longer.
feel 10 blame that she has waited so long
.lreadv Rrinp her in at once, pray you.
and while the priest fastened 20 obey ne
nlaced a chair TO the fire and mutterng &c
himself Neither turneth "a deaf ear tt
any poor man. he put the teapot on th'
table and prepared TO receive cordially the
unexpected visitor. -
The door was gently opened by o, tai
iadv dressed in black. She was exceeding
iv fair TO see. beautiful IN feature and car
risee beyond most women; but there was
an luexpressible charm far beyond even
fbet-s dignity and perfection OF manner
md appearnnce such as rather warren
had never seen before.
Advancing toward him she SAID IN low
clear. and most melodiOus voice: or
Give me. dear father, for disturbing you So
fate and on such night. hut no other
could fulfil SO well the mission when i
ash Won 10 undertake. VIII you come
with me TO bring comfort and happines
10 departing and erring soul anu VIII
Won bring the holy sacrament WIN YOU
that having confessed ana been aosolVed
he nav 90 hence IN peace -
"Dear lady," answered Father warren
"I have not eaten since the morning My
clothes are wet through and l am very
weary. Another priest of God more
worthy than shall 60 with you.
NAY, she said, looking wistfully al
him. Il pray Won 60 with me yourself, tol
10 YOU was | sent, and the time i very
short. beseech you'to come WIN me aho
make no delay. BY tho love OF tue Blesse,
Mother for her Son, by the love Of that SoI
Tor all HIS erring children. lmpiore yo'
come with me. and come quickly"
She pleaded so earnestly and tenderiy
and vet with something of authority IN ne
tone. that the father yielded; ana forget
ting all but her anxiety and that some on
had need Of him, he hastily put on cioal
and left the house with her.
A strong, biting wind and sharp. sleet
rain made walking difficult and converse
ton almost impossible, so ne foli0weI IN
iodv silently as they sped quickly alon
,bs narrow streets. Father Warren coul
not but marvel exceedingly that the Iad
did not seem 10 be aware OF wlhu nor lal
nor ANYTHING round her, but with mr.
tread and head erect she walked caiihi
snd quietly though very rapidly on.
Sbe moved rs one with n set purpose
while a smile Of hope frightened her gray
face.
able distance, they came TO one OF thC,s
uuiet. old-fashioned squares, once III
chosen residence of the wealthlest IOi
donera. but now deserted for places III
tber from the crowded centre Of the hug
city. a. -. m,
Knocking firmly and decidedly ~ the doc
she turned round 20 the priest and SAID
~ have shown you the place ana told va
If the acre need of one who lives there
can do no more, and must GO now. Ma
The blessing of God the Father, the love
God the Son. and the help OF God Il
Spirit 90 with you now" ,...,,
She turned rapidly away and was quick
out of sight, leaving the priest niue %
wildered AT receiving so solemn oIessI,
from a lady and stranger, ana yet WI
the feeling that there was nothing unsuit'
ble or unhecoming in her giving II.
Before, however, he had time TO colie
his thoughts or explain to himself what
really felt about il all the door was opene
bv stout, comfortable, respectable Sc
want, who seemed rather astonished at h
appearance. II have been summoned
a dying bed, be said; pray take me
once 20 the room"
The woman looked perplexed and Al
,wered There amt no dying beds her
nor hasn't been this long time. Ihanl
be TO Heaven, we're all well In this hous
Er!n 1t,
"There must be some mistake" repli'
Father Warren. " for was conducted hel
by a lady who fetched mo herself to u
very door, and was IN much anxiety al
haste"
There's no lady got no right to tet'
any one here, and mistake there sure
h." said the woman, rather testify; b
looking at the priest and recognizing b
holy character, she went on: But "
had better come in and explain il TO d
young master--for sure am ! he wOuldI
ike a beggar turned from the door on
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