The San Francisco call., 1897-11-13
Her SON is ON THE OECA.
LIS Arg sIes Mother Gratifled for
the Hope Now Held
Out 20 Her,

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 12.-In neat
lit cottage at S4! South Olive street
there resides Mrs. George J. Johnson.
Her hair has been si!verei by the passing
wears, but her mind is just now troubled
and borne down bv a weight oi woe as /:
never was before. Until Mrs. J johnson once
again feels the clasp OF the strong arms OF
Ter son, Eugene as he gathers her in his
loving EN- brace she will never rest in
peace.
The son IS on the ice bound steam
wha!er Occa, and the mother is fearful
lest he sail never return. She has pic
tureI in h-r mind a possible fate for her
loved one which IS terrible TO contem-
plate-dea by starvation in the frozen
regions OF the Arctic.
But she has one ray of hope. 1t has
been gwen by THE CALL. The humane
proposition to proYIsl,n II a ship TO be sent
10 the relief of the 400 American seamen
whose lives are in danger IN the far north
has given 10 that heart broken mother the
only sunlight she has seen for a number
of davs. She feels that there is now a
ross litv that the life of her BOY will be
-ayed. and that he will be spared TO COM
frt ana sustain her in her Old age.
To The CALL and its proprietor Mrs
JOHNSON is most prOfISe IN her express
>ions OF gratitude f)r what she terms one
OF The raude,t acts OF humanity she has
ever rea or heard If. To q cores pondent
Of the raper Mrs. Johnson last evening
detailed he story OF h boys departure
lor he Arctic AMI how ne came 10 GO.
She Is a pleasun; cOnvers satiOnalist, and as
she told OF her son the expression of her
face was lishted up by The fires OF the
mother love. She said:
This was to have been Eugene's last
voyage. His father and his fathers
father before him were sea captain s. My
boy was only 26 years of age and he did
not like TO follow the sea. But he did not
find any profitable occupation on shore
SO one day he came 10 me and said:
Mother l have decided 10 make one
more trip to the Arctic. But this will be
the last l viii be back about Novem Der
10, and then will be able to obtain en-
ployment on shore. 1 have shipped be-
fore the mast on the whaler Orca'
1t was sad intelligence, but l could not
do anything 10 prevent his going. NV
boy was taking the great risk OF an Arctic
voyage for my sake ana so | helped to
outfit him and bade him good-by and
God speed.
"And now l shall never see my noble
boy again. He has gone forever. And to
think hat he Will probably die of starva-
liou- O4. IL Is AWFUL. DO you tllDk
thew can save MIN?
Il know that everything possible will
be done. but in the las, letter [ had from
him he told me that the food the sailors
were receiving was simply awful. He
said that he would send me the bill of
fare, only he knew that il would make me
Sex.
Furthermore he told me that the pro-
visions on board would last only until
November Is but he said that he would
be one before then.
Il wish you would tell the proprietor of
The tALL that l snail never forget the
grand noble work he has done in en-
deavoHng 10 send relief TO The poor sailo,s
in the north. Tell him that in the hum
bic prayers Of one mother, at least, his
generous act will ever be remembered for
u my boy life Is saved it Will be through
his efforts and eXertlons. Tell him that
he has given me the only hope l have that
] will ever see my boy again and that
hope Goa may ble5s him for ali that he
mas done"
And then Mrs. johnson could restrain
herself no longer. A flood of tears came
and for several moments the grief-strlcken
mother allowed her emotion TO have full
sway. Some kindly nelghbors who were
with her endeavored 10 comfort her,
but 1t was some time before she regained
her com posure. Friends are doing all
they can TO tighten the heavy burden Mrs.
johnson IS carrying, but the task is a
difficult on.