Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1894-05-02

go-and XII his mother? Should he STAY

go-and XIII his mother? Should he stay
and kill his own pride and ambition
and bright prospects? Finally all hi.
learning seemed to resolve itself into
the memory of Captain Lawrence's no
bic words, Don't give up the shipr
And at last he said aloud, II will not. >
and the long struggle vas ended. The
canal life, with its small, slow gains,
its homely duties, would be his while
his mother needed him.
He went straight to her bedside. She
heard him and reached out a hand
through the darkness to clasp his.
Mother, | have decided-Pn stay
and help you," he said, bending to kiss
her withered check. To his surprise il
was wet with tears. What, you re cry.
ing-you haven been awake all these
hours?"
Il coult:n't sleep joe, but 1 will
now. Thank you, my boy. You'll never
be sorry. Good night, Joe'
Good night, MOTHER - he said ten
derly, and then, tired out, he sought his
bunk and fell soundly asleep
An hour or two afterward he found
himself sitting up i'll bed, tearing the
clothing from his throat and gasping for
breath. III q moment he discovered that
the cabin was full OF dense smoke.
Hurrying On some garments, he dashed
out eiiid saw that the whole after part
OF the boat was i'll flames, past all chance
OF saving. The lantern had exploded
and the ignited oil had scattered far and
wide He loudly called Jenny and the
men, and taking his mother in his
strong young arms carried her on shore.
Then he went back for quantity of
bedding, folded it carefully round her
and put her gently down Oh the ground.
her head against a tree Jenny sprane
ashore. Joe helped the two men to re-
lease the mules, quivering with terror,
and in few minutes men and mules
were safely off the boat Then Joe.
though it was Drawing death to do it.
rushed back through the binding, sting
ing smoke into his mothers cabin and
brought out the old daguerreotype and
the little chest full of relics. He car
ried them to where she sat motionless
against the tree.
Here they are, mother - all the
things you care for!" he cried.
"All but the boat itself, Joe-nobody
kin save that, kin thcy:" She looked
at him with helpless appeal
Nobody, mother, y he said sadly.
Indeed the poor craft was already from
stem to stern one sheet of flame. The
Wandering Willie would never wander
more But we can build another
She shook her head and made no an
swer. Anything like the tragic despair
OF her set face Joe had nc yer seen.
"'Tain't asked Of you to stay, Joe.
But you'd made up your mind to any.
how. You was willin. I'm glad o. that. :"
So was Joe; so would he always be.
''The insurance, Joe-it's all right.
It's all yours, - she said quietly.
A strange fear crept over him. He
knelt by her and rested her head oil his
shoulder and covered her closer from
the chill night i;ir tiih :. l:verlilze ten
derness. The ::elGs str tcked wide and
black around them-the solemn stars
shone dimly above
will it jest burn to the waters edge,
Joe, Or will it sink:"
Il don't lrow. mother, said Joe hus- |
lilly. The tears were running down his
cheeks, but her eyes were quite dry.
81 jest couldn't bear-to see il si!l1--
clean out o sigllt-frllover- She |
A slight shiver ran over her. Ha
head lay 4 little heavier On Joo's shoul-
Ter. He locked into her face and saw
hat he was motherless. Julia Ditto
Young il. Romance