The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1892-02-12
HIS MOTHER.
A Devoted Son and a Sensible
Sweetheart

The cold-gray shadows of the wintrv
twilight hal enveloped tree and
meadow and sluggish forest streams in
their uncertain mist. and factory Chin
neys flung their fiery banners OF
smoke against the leadcn sky, a basso
relieve that would have made Rem
brandt himself rejoice, and the hum of
nevcr-ccasing machinery in the little
town rose above the rush OF the river,
like the buzz of gigantic insect.
Charles Emery, the day foreman in
the rollingmills, was just retiring to
his home, having been relieved by
John Eltcr, the night official. and as he
walked along, his feet sounding crisply
on the hard-frozen earth, lac whistied
softly TO himself IS Iight-heartcd Us a
bird
You're going with us tonight,
Charley" cried a gay voice, and two or
three young men came by
DO yOu mean,
Il mean to the opera
For upon that especial evening
there was to be an opera in the little
town of Crvstalton, 4 genuine New
York company with chorus, fun
orchestra and adj the Paraphcrnalia of
scenery and costume which provincial
residents 50 seldom enjoy. and the
younger population were on the qui
vivc of delighted expectation.
Il am going" said Mr.. Emery, slow
ly, but not with you,''
But you VIII change your mind,
though" said Harrison Vail, when
you hear that Kate Marcy i To- bc of
the party. Kate Marcy and the Miss
IIallowclls and fanny Hewitt. There
ere eight of Us going. We've kept n
seat ON purpose for you"
Il have tagged myself TO another
lady" Emery replied, after n second or
SO of hesitation
Nall laughed.
.-Wcn, Ina sorry for it." said he.
but Miss Marcy Is not g,rl who need
pine for a cavalier. Well keep the seat
for you until quarter Of eight, in ease
you should see tit to change your mind.
Only let Inc give you i word of warn
ing, old fellow. Kate Marcy i a high
spirited g..I; 1t won't do to trifle too
much with -.cr.''
Charles Emery went on his way
rather gravcr and more sclf-absorbed.
He had asked his mother the day be-
fore to go to see The Mascot" and
his mothers eyes had frightened with
genuine delight.
our uScu me,
Charley" she said, ''whcn we were
young people and lived in New York.
But it's twenty years and more since
/ have been to an opera And If YOU re
quite sure. dear that there i no young
girl whom You would rather take
AS if any young girl in the world
could be to me what my own darling
little mother is.' replied Emery, smil-
insr 1crpS. IN. hl,a a hnr
Then i shall be delighted to go,
said Mrs. Emery.
And her voice and eyes bore happy
witness to- the truth of her words
But now that a regular party had been
organized. and Kate Marcy had prom
ised to join it, things looked very diff
fcrently 10 the young man For Il mo-
ment nc almost regretted that he had
engaged himself to take his mother.
She would be as well pleased with
any concert" he said to himself ''and
l should have the opportunity of sit
ding all tlc evening next t. Kate
Marcy. I'll ask her to let me off this
time. She won't care
When tc went into the little sitting
room OF their humble domain. and saw
his mother, with her silvcr-gray hair
rolled into puifs on either side of her
almost uIrwrinl.led brow. her best
black silk donned, and the one opal
brooch which she owned pinned into
the white lace folds at her bosom, his
heart mIsgave him
Il have been trimming my bonnet
over with some violct-vclvct flowers"
said she, smiling, so as to do you no
discrcdit. Charley; and l have a new
pair of violet kid gloves. And now
|ou must drink your tea I've made
.oIne of your favoritc cream biscuit.
and the kettle is nearly at the boil.
Oh, Charley, you'll laugh at me. I'm
afraid, but | feel exactly like a lit
lie girl going to her first childrens
party. It's 50 seldom, you know, that
Il bit OF pleasure comes IN my way
And then Charles Emery made up
ms mind that his mother was more to
niIa, in her helpless old are and sweet,
,tffcctiouatc dependence, than any
looming damscl whose eyes shonc
like stars and whose checks rivalcd
the September peach.
Going with some one else said
Kate Marcy, rather surprised and no:
Exactly pleased
She was "A tall, beautiful maiden, the
belle of Crystalton, and rather an
hcireSs in her own right, with al the
rest She certainly liked Charles
E:nery, and she rather surmiscd that
he liked her also And when she had
| bern studying up her toilet for tic
( opera. she had selected 4 blue dress.
! with blue corn flowers for he, hair and
| ornament of turquoise, because she
| had once heard Mr.. Emery say that
blue WIS hi favoritc color
Going with some one cisco she re-
| pcatcd Wei. of course lac has
| right TO suit himself
And She kept within her own soul
the fevered fire of girlish resentment,
the gnawing pangs of jealousy that dis
turbed her all the while that she was
sitting waiting for the great green cur
tain To be drawn up.
Until, of a sudden, there was d
slight hustle on the row of seats be-
! yond. aud Mr.. Emery entered with has
| mother.
And then kate's overgloorled face
! grew rritritt a.~tin. .-h,. drew a. l,,5lc