The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-09-19

Didn't these four years seem long?'
Poor mother. You are coming all the
way from home 10 see me- All alone
you are comin~ on foot. i'm this burning
sun-to this city 10 large and So full
OF strangers. You'll have 10 inquire for
these barracks and knock about and be
on your feet all the time poor. sicklv.
lonely old dear that you arei And sun
pose you lose your way and go around
crying for fear you may not be bile 10
find me, you poor old. little darling?"
He sat on his bed. his arms folded
biting his lips and blinking his eyes 10
keep back the tears.
Poor mother Poor mother!" he
murmured.
All at once ne leaped to his feet and
fell To pacing the floor. Then hating
for a second. he dashed up 10 the win
dow and looked out into the street
There was no one there. and the blood
rushed 10 his head
"Ill try TO think OF something else.
he said TO himself. In order 10 ease
The torture OF suspense he set about
driving the image Of his mother from
his brain. but the very attempt TO do
SO almost broke his heart, and he gave
IL up.
Look here. mother" he then said
audlbly. DO You know how I love
your He looked around seeing no one
ne went on: Il love you more than
any one IN this world could ever love
you. Nobody. nobody could love YOU
like that And unfolding his arms and
letting them drop to his sides. he shook
his head. as though repeating: mo
body. nobody in the whole world,'
Again he ran up TO the window and
again he turned back disappointed
You shan't look out again" he said
hlmGnlf ufbpraaf h.. 4
as II repeating more emphatlcally:
You shan'tV" and then he smiled. as
much as TO say: Yes bu; that's more
than can bear 20 keep away from"
He abandoned himself To his reveries.
He beheld his mother making up a par
Gel of shirts AID handkerchiefs for him
she was bidding her neiRhbors goodby
and telling them that she was off 10
meet her son. The soldier fancled HIM
SELF Following his mother on her way 10
town. He could see the clouds of dust
raised by the passing wagons. Behold,
those wagons We're brushing past his
mothers skirts. The weak old woman
mas scarcely lodged one wagon. when.
mark ano;aer one COMES up rumblng
Ike mad and ready 10 knock her down
Look OUT" escapes her sons lips, and
without being aware OF IL. ne reaches
out his hand. as IL to grasp his mothers
arm and 10 draw her out OF harms way
Next he sees her In the city stagge ing
under the weight of her parcel. IA ygej
out and parched with thirst. The image
breaks his heart and he murmurs: lie,
me have the package, poor old dan~'
rake my arm,' Whereupon he holds
our his elbow and almost feels bis
trembling arm I'm his.
When he awoke from his revarie II
seemed az though he were becoming
aware OF his approaching happiness FOR
inc ilrst time. His eyes frightened his
lips quivered. his every feature was Iit
up with JOY. He alternately smiled
laughed, choked with sobs Danted for
breath and at last flung himself down
on his bed. face downward. all SHAKING
Win the tumult Of emotions he was
TO hold back.
What has got into you?" asked a
.orporal who happened TO cross the
'oom at this momen,
The little private started nm and
ne intruder "A look. his eyes fulI OF ,nars
ma MS lips parted in a smile.
tie must be crazy" murmured tbe
orporal as he passed out.
Leit 70 himself. the private stood
nuSing for while. and then ae ~ q
hought had dawned upon him. he
eached out for his knapsack. which Law
IN shelt nearby. and from which hc
re" brushes, combs, boxes and what
iot All this he arrayed on the blanket
u ms bed. II want TO be clean as a
'hisle, he said TO himself. as he pro-
eeded to shine his boots. u want IN ne
hamdsome soldier | do" The shoe
rush was superseded by a clothbrush
nd THIS by comb. Finally. after some !
umbling i'm his knapsack. ne prodnce1 |
little looking glass. Therein he 5er1eld |
Ne reflection OF his happiness on his |
ace and smiled joyously.
Suddenly he heard footsteps coming |
asuly up the stairs. He listened with |
afed breath. The steps drew nearer |
hd nearer AT last, 10 and behold!The |
cor HES open and in comes the cor. |
oral.
ihere is a woman at the gate wait.
1g 20 see you" he says.
My mother!" cries out the prgvate
hd shooting out OF the dOrmitory. down |
ne stairs and across the COURTYARD he
ushes St the old woman i'm the gate
'aS. She throws open her arms AMI he
les INTO them. and both utter a CRY
ie takes her head i'm his hands and |
lung IL back looks into her eyes. Then
9 gathers her head TO his bosom. en-.
loses II in his arms and presses his
ps against the white hair. from which
ne white cap has glided off. Smother
lg her sobs on his shoulder shs clasps
I'M 10 her heart and passes her bonv
and over his cloak. which seems g.
or more beautiful and sweetpr 60 the
,uch than the robes OF king
The sentinel stood reverently back.
lute witness OF the holy embrace of the
ia peasant woman. and her soldier
oy. The officer of the day TOO, saw
le indescribable spectacle.
Brace no, mother. brace up" said |
~ private. What are you CRYING
bout he added. genderly as he care
illy readjusted her deranCed hair Rut
- old woman continued to sob. until |
navy she raised her eyes to her sons
zee smiled. heaVed "A deep sigh. as II
great burfon had at last been lifted
.om her heart, and wiEh whispered
MY SOM she once more clasped him
her embrace.
Are YOU tired?" he asked disengag-
" himself
only a little bit" she answered
niling AMI looking about for a place
drop her parcel
step IN here said the officer Of
le day. opening the door Of his room
oh. an officer" she said. facing
bout and bowing deeply Thank you
'er so mISch."
the private stood embarrassed.
Just sep In and make yourselves al
me. the two Of YOU. repeated the
They entered bimidlv aud nun IN.