The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1891-04-16

| the mantel-piecc, but it was ..thc dead
OF night" to the village of Meltonburg
| whose silent streets at this hour showed
| never a light. save when in some cot.
| tage window. where sickness was, q
lone lamp CLEANED likc solitary star.
The visitor was handsome woman OF
forty years. who carried her age so well
that She might have passed for decade
Younger, Notwithstanding her tear
stained checks.
She ignored Grace's caressing greet
ing and Miss Ruth's inquiry, and turned
the battery of remonstrant eyes on the
minister. who stood uncomfortably ex-
pectant.
accents. she said:
''lou have dope your work well. sir
my Frank. my boy. is going to enlist
lie has told me the bitter truth tonight
have gone down on my knees before
him and prayed him not to leave me;
but he is obdurate."
The minister was speechlcss. Even
the consciousness Of having simply
done his duty.was ontbalanced by the
infinite pity he felt for the unhappy
mother: but Ruth was actuated by no
such delicate sentiments. and, with a
sniff of defiance. boldly advanced to her
brothers rescue.
"IIoity-toity.' she said. Here's a
pretty to-do about nothing. Mary
Besant. Id be ashamed of myself. if |
were YOU. making such a fuss over the
lad Is he made of different clay from
other young men. that he should be
tied to his mothers apron-string. when
his country needs his services? DO you
think that Stephen Williams and
Johnnie Black. and Il score Of others in
the place who have gone to the front,
hadn't mothers to weep for them-just
as fond of them as you are of your
Frank-aye. and proud to think they
have strong sons willing to defend
them. Not go to the front, indeed!
Pslfaw, elf it wasn't for the absurd pre-
JUDGE of the age, I'd shoulder .
musket myself. You have done your
living best to spoil that boy of yours,
and tell you to your face that | am
glad you've failed If Frank is going
a-soldiering he is doing just what he
ought to do. and you should go down
on your Bonded knees-not to him, but
to God. to thank Him for. having given
YOU son with such spirit. Tears. in
deed. If he was my lad, this would be
the prondest moment of my life"
This was day of surprises to the
minister's friends. In the morning he
had astonshed those who had known
him for years by his display of oratory;
tonight he literally paralyzed Miss
Ruth. whose tongue heretofore had
been accustomed to wag in perfect I'M
restraint. by a sudden assumption of
authority.
.Silence, Ruth" he commanded.
"Mrs. Besant came here-where she had
a right to come-for consolation in the
hour of need and l will not have her
annoyed by,your senseless gable"
Senseless gable. For thirty years
Ruth Brentwood had ruled her brother
with uncontrolled austerity. and now
he had turned upon her with rude
ness and vnlgarity which SO over
powered her that she sank upon sofa
in speeehless Indignation.
And now. Mrs. Besant." the pastor
began. soothingly, turning to the
widow. ''let me ask you
Ask me nothing, sir" was the pas.
sionatc reply: Tell me, simply, will
You try To undo the evil You have done:
1t is not too late even non': you have
great influence over nv boy, and a