The morning call., 1893-03-26
A MOTHERS VIGIL.
Watching for Her Son Who Was on
Big Steamer.

Big steamer.
little before o'clock Yesterday after
noon there were a few people on the
Oregon dock at the foot of Main street.
They were in pairs and in groups of three
and four waiting for the steamer Oregon
from Portland, which at that time was
moving in the direction of Mission Rock,
preparatory to swinging around so as TO
come head on 10 her berth.
Those on the dock were watching the
huge black vessel slowly moving toward
the swinging point.
Among these was a little old woman, at
tired in neat but plain clothes, and in her
company WAS q young girl, who OCCASION
ally called her mother. and another, a young
woman, who was friend Of the mother ami
daughter.
The watchers waited patiently for the ap-
proach OF the monster of the deep and in
the meantime gazed at the new steamer
ROsalie as she passed the dock galyy
decked with flags and streamers, then
directed their attention to trim little
launch bearing customs flag. having on
board a party of ladies who were waving
their 'kerchiefs to those on board the new
steamer, and watched with eager eyes the
approach of big tug of the Redstack line
that crossed the bow of the ROsalie and
saluted her with two tOots of her whistle,
which courtesy was duly acknowledged.
These aud other scenes interested the
waiting ones on the dock, including lady
in silks and furs who held In her hand
prince Schamyl." which she intended
reading until the vessel dOcked.
All hnt one were deeply interested in the
passing events; that one was the little old
lady who was with her daughter aud friend.
Her eyes were watching the steamer, and
the nearer it came the more she strained
them, in the hope of discovering some one
whose coming she was awaiting.
The steamer Will be up here in a few
minutes" suggested the daughter.
Yes. yes" mechanically said the mother
still stralniug her gaze toward the Oregon.
~ wonder if Tom is on board? He must
be; he wrote me he'd come"
HE certainly is on board" consolngly
said the friend.
On came the big ship-sl0wly. it is true.
The people on the dock, who were distin-
guishable only in outline. became more dis
tinet, and ii was not long before faces could
be recognized.
The anxious mother looked again, her
eyes scanning the faces on the deck from
stem to stern.
Suddenly they rested on one form, and
grasping her daughters arm, exclaimed.
There be isp' She had seen him, and a
sigh escaped her; her face became radiant
with smiles. and in each eye there giIsIened
a tear of Joy.
She tried to attract his attention. when
the grutf voice of the captain of the dock
called out: stand back there; give the
men n chanceP
The trio moved to another portion of the
dock near where the sangplank was ready
to be showed on board. just then Tom
caught sight OF the waiting one aud raised
his hat.
When the vessel had been made last and
the passengers walked down the gang
plank Tom was among the number He
was handsome young fellow. As soon as
he reached the dock he walked toward the
old lady, put his arms around her, uttered
one word, the most tender one tn at man
can speak-it was mother" He then
saluted her with kiss, which she returned
time and again and exclaimed, "Oh, Tom,
Pm so happy u
Tom, after saluting his sister aud her
friend, tenderly placed his arm around hi s
mother and led her from the dock.
The mothers vigil was ended and she was
happy