Rocky Ford enterprise., 1897-06-24
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feeled down the stairs like drunken
man. with all my pulses beating fu-
riously. The detective caught my arm
and steadied me- and the action re-
called me to myself. placed the en-
velope In his hand, and asked him II
he was acquainted with the place.
We'll" he answered; 'it 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 II know she
Is my wife. That is enough. is 1t
not?"
It's no business of mine" he re-
piled, taking his cue from my sullen
manner Il 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 heard
the sounds OF music as l entered.
I'VE shall find her in the dancing
room." said the detective. after eX-
changing a few words with the land
lord. IAN old woman answering to
your description comes here every
night. and sells nuts
l followed him into the room, where
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 her.
placed my hand on her shoulder. and
looked in her face.
"Some nuts. my lad?" she said, in n
thin, piping voice.
And without waiting for an answer,
she filed n measure and held 1t out to
me. I received the nuts in my cap.
and gave her n shilling. She pressed
her fingers over 1t, and put 1t 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 measure. mother" said
n sailor.
She laughed in n childish way as
she filed her measure again.
"The lads. bless them?" she piped,
know that was sailors wife and
sailors mother. Here. my lad.
Where's the gentleman who gave me a
shilling? Bless you. my lad! you don't
think l am rich enough to change
that?"
Keep 1t, mother" l said, in a
rough, fearful voice.
mo, no. my lad," she replied. You
mustn't be overfree with your money.
'Tis 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 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.
1 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
him!" they said, and gave me and my
mother many sympathizing look. But
one, less cautious than the others, cried
out, What! Amos Beecroft alive! l
knew him, and served with him in the
Indiana. Give us a grip of your hand,
mattel"
l waved him back with warning
gesture. My mother dropped her bas-
ket, and in a feeble, querulous tone
cried:
who spoke of Amos Beecroft, my
son, being alive? He is dead! The
hest 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
sou.'
Mother" I whispered, still disguis-
ing my voice. will you listen to me
for moment, and try to be strong?"
Il listen with my heart. my lad"
she answered, with my heart! Was
it you sailed in the Indiana with my
SON? Nay, my lad, don't cry. 'Tis n
woman's business to suffer. They lit
tie know-oh, they little know?"
"a sailor, mother" l whispered,
through my tears, ''is 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 deep sigh she would have fallen
to the ground, but that supported her
in my arms.
CHAPTER XXVII.
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