Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1890-03-06
TEMPERANCE NOTES.
MOTHER AND SON.


My first kiss is waiting FOR him,
For since his goodbye that sad morning
Past the years my tears have made dim,
No kiss has lain over his kisses,
No love has come into my life.
But he-who has had his caressesf
ask you this-you, his wife.
"He's not here to welcome his mother.
What's wrongi Is my dear son ill.,
You Gamer Yes dear, but remember,
Archies place none other can FILL
Twas business detained him. reckon.
Well, well, l won't let it annoy;
No doubt he is climbing the ladder
or fame he dreamed OF as boy
ale used TO rehearse his ambition
At my feet, with his hand on my knee.
Iwish-out perhaps he is keeping
tenderer welcome for me.
Prince of sons he visits my siumbers
And his kisses awake me at morn.
Forgive me, my dear do grieve your
loved him before you were born.
"You are sweet girl don't blame you
For taking first place in his heart.
1t has seemed TO NEEDN'T be offended,
I'm his mother and know every part
OF his nature. and somehow his letters
Have been rather downcast of late,
He is writing so often for money,
And hints at things sad to relate.
81 thought you were childish and giddy
Extravagant, too confess;
But see no reason TO chide you
For extravaganza In your dress
Your pretty print frock is quite tidy
Your collar as white as the snow
But II you don't spend them for laces,
Where is it the dollars all gos
~The carriagei Oh, well, never mind it,
We'll walk II IL isn't far.
I'm qsite numb and weary with sitting
So long In the dusty car.
Thanks, dear. Archie arm would be stronger
To think / shall see him to-day.
Ny tall, handsome sonl How is babyi
Are his eyes blue like yours, or grayi
"Not overly strongf It's mercy
came to you now for / know
All about the needs OF baby,
And the food that will make him grow.
My Archie was puny and siclSly
For years, the most OF the time;
kept the breath OF life in him
BY doses Of brandy and wine.
"Yes, brandy and wine are great blessings
To mothers, in many a way;
Without them couldn't have raised him
TO love us and bless us to-day.
And the little rogue learned to like them;
Why, hed take the bitterest pill
To wash it down-Dear, are you III
You're not going to lose your baby;
just give me plenty Of time,
And he shall be strong and rosy,
I'll cure him as I cured mine
"'Pou'd rather ned di.i Alice Dutton,
I'm surprised, nay, shocked, confess.
Are you Christian or pagan, wonder,
That you dare stand here and express
Such heathenish views VIII the Father
Work miracles think, for your SOM
Will He take your sick boy ana cure him,
Till youi part is faithfully doneY
"what harm can the medicine do himf
You fear for his futures Such fears
Are food for fools and fanatics
Those long-visaged, soothsaying seers
Who trail their prophetic horrors
Through all the bright places Of life,
Who sit, like Deaths head, at the banquet
To herald the oncoming strife
Tis shame on your son to suggest III
shame on your darling and minel
Why six generations Of buttons
Have proved themselves stronger than wine,
Not once disgraeing their manhood.
Don't mention IT, Alice, pray;
Your boy is the last OF the lineage
Do you think him less noble than theyf
"Disgrace is unknown to n Dutton
In all their ancestral line.
Do you fear that their blue blood is furnished
Ard weakened by mixture with timer
Nay, child, your grave apprehensions
Are shadowless as the wind;
Don't weep so, dear, Archies mother
Never meant to be unkind.
"You are like fair, gentle daughter.
Your face is so tender and sweet,
You are lilSe-but where are we goingf
Why turn down that terrible street,
This housed Why, child, tits a howell
See that drunken man stretched In the way
Don't show me runs wretchedness, Alice,
I'm worn out with travel to-day.
You surely don't seek your companions
Among those so wretchedly low
You, wife of my son, and the mother
OF my sons sons Let US go
To your home at once. Alice Alicel
Don't touch that vile drunken man,
The loathsome being has fallen
As low as humanity can.
His very breath is pollution;
Redemption for such there is none.
Hello my Cod it is Arohie
1t is Archie my son. my som"
Rose Hartwick Thorpe, in Demorest's Mag
azine.