Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1897-06-24

reelen down the stairs ike drunken
man, with all my pulses beating fu-
riously. The detective caught my arm
and steadled me, and the action re-
called me to myself placed the en-
velope in his hand, and asked him If
he was acquainted with the place.
WELL" he answered; ut is in the
sailors quarter-one of the common
dancing houses"
Let us hasten there"
you know the name the woman up
stairs goes by, | suppose?" he said.
you mean to ask me IL know she
is my wife That is enough, is it
not?"
"It's no business Of nine" he re-
piled, taking his cue from my sullen
manner 81 never interfere in family
matters. Peace and quietness Is my
motto"
In less than ten minutes we arrived
in the cab at the sailors home. 1t
was situated in the most squalid part
of the East End of London, and I heard
the sounds of music as | entered.
1--WE shall find her in the dancing
ROOM" said the detective, after ex-
changing few words with the land
lord. "An old woman answering to
your description comes here every
night, and sells nuts"
l followed him into the room, where
a number of sailors were dancing, and
there, standing by the bar at which
men were drinking l saw my mother,
an old, old woman now, with basket
Of nuts on her arm.
Not considering what might be the
effects Of the sudden surprise upon heg,
l placed my hand on her shoulder, and
looked in her face.
Some nuts, my lad?" she said, in q
thin, piping voice.
And without waiting for an answer,
she filed measure and held 1t out to
me. l received the nuts in my cap,
and gave her a shilling. She pressed
her fingers over 1t, and put it to her
teeth.
"she is blind" whispered the detec-
tive.
The shock of the news almost struck
Inc dumb; for her eyes were wide open
and seemed to be looking at me. But
alas! she was never more to see the
face OF the son whom she had loved
so truly and devotedly.
"Give me a measure, mother" said
q sailor
She laughed in childish way as
she filed her measure again.
'The lads, bless them?" she piped,
"know that 1 was a sailors wife and
a sailors mother. Here, my lad.
Where's the gentleman who gave me
shilling? Bless you, my lad! you don't
think l am rich enough to change
that?"
Keep it, mother" l said, in a
rough, fearful voice.
mo, no, my lad" she replied. "You
mustn't be overfree with your money.
IT'S too much the way of sailors, that.
"Tis true I've had the good luck, more
than once, to sell out my basket to
one man"
you shall do so now, mother. Meas
ure them all out to me-"
The landlord, at a sign from me-
gave me dish which stood on the bar,
into which my mother poured all her
nuts measure by measure.
"Thirteen-pence, my lad" she said
l handed the nuts to the landlord,
and gave my mother another penny.
The men would have crowded round
us, but that the detective, whispering
to them, kept them off. Good luck to
hlm!" they said, and gave me and my
mother many sympathizing look. But
one, less cautious than the others, cried
out, what! Amos Beecroft alive! I
knew him, and served with him in the
Indiana. Give us grip Of your hand,
mattel"
l waved him back with warning
gesture. My mother dropped her bas-
ket, and in feeble, querulous tone
cried:
who spoke of Amos Beecroft, my
son, being alive? He is deadl The
best of SONS and the best of sailors!
lie died doing his duty, as Beecroft,
Mariner, his father and my husband,
lads, did. Oh, Amos! my son, my
soul"
Mother" 1 whispered, still disguis-
ing my voice, Twill you listen to me
for a moment, and try to be strong?"
II listen with my heart, my lad"
she answered, with my heart! Was
1t you sailed in the Indiana with my
son? Nay, my lad, don't cry. IT'S a
woman's business to suffer. They lit
tie know-oh, they little know"
"a sailor, mother" l whispered
through my tears, lis never dead till
he's buried, as you have learned be-
fore tonight. Did not Amos, your
son, come home after he was sup
posed to be dead? And suppose he was
speaking to you now"
1t was useless saying anything more
for she could neither see nor hear me
With a deep sigh she would have fallen
to the ground, but that supported hel
in my arms.
CHAPTER XVII.
% III T was two O'CLOCK
| & ~ o&dBlH in the morning