Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1900-06-20

Leaving Paris by railroad, I entered {
| compartment already occupied by two
elderly men. intent upon their newspa-
pers, and a woman and boy, from their
semblancc to one another evidently moth
er and son. From the moment took my
seat these two filed me with interest.
The young man spoke to me, and
| recognized him as some one / had met
| once or twice, hut he did not offer to
introduce me to his companion, in whom
he was completely absorbed.
The conversation between mother and
son was so animated that one could not
choose but hear, and as they were per-
fectly oblivious of all save each other,
listened with undisguised interest to the
| exchange of confidence which proved
how well each knew the other, how COM
pIetely each trusted, how deep was the
devotion existing between them.
1t was very beautiful to see, this per-
feet confidence between mother and son,
and l felt that there was no need to fear
for that boys future life. The memory
Of his mothers love would grow forever
in his heart long after she should be gone
from him, keeping out evil and fostering
good.
He had evidently finished his first year
in the university, and she had gone to
Paris to meet and accompany him home.
"How glad your father will be to see
you again." she said. "He will not be
at the station, as his knee is hurting him
again, but he will go as far as the gate.
will wager that he is there already.
And Jeanne and Claudine. too, all eager
to see you. All, my boy, we have missed
you sorely. Madeline will be there. too.
most likely"
At the mention of this last name the
boys eyes left his mothers face for the
first time, and he looked out of the win
dow without replying This did not es-
cape the mother, and faint, troubled
look crossed her face. She changed the
subject.
"And did you pass your examinations
well, Jean?"
Fairly well, mother" replied the boy.
bringing his gaze back to her again.
II suppose we ought to begin to plan
for your future. Every advantage we
can give you you shall have, and it is our
hope that you will take up profession.
Do you think you would care to study
medicine?"
"Not as well as something else. How
would you like to have me an engineer?'
Anything you like, dear, is sure to
suit me-"
They talked on, planning details of
study and work for the next few years.
Suddenly the mother said:
81 am happy to have you again, Jean,
and yet this talk of your future fills me
with something like sadness and fear.
You know every mother is jealous of her
place i'm her boys heart and anxious that,
IL she should ever be displaced by an
other, that other should be worthy. Just
now we spoke of Madeline, and | saw a
change in you that made my heart con-
tract with sudden little spasm of fool
ish jealousy"
The boys face flushed painfully, but
his eyes remained steadfastly fixed on
hers while she continued:
"If you ever love, and you are sure to-,
my hope and prayer are that she may be
good and true, loving you as you love her,
that you may taste to it's full the cup of
happiness found in the marriage Of two
congenial souls With that | will con-
tent myself when | am no longer first in
your affection"
The boy leaned forward and took her
hand.
"No one shall ever take your place." he
said. IF there should ever be any one
else, she will have to make new one
and occupy that"
Both laughed, the woman's eyes moist,
and the conversation flowed on happily
again.
AS evening drew on the train stopped
at little station where we three were
the only ones to alisht, and where hop
ed to make connections with another
train. l found we were two hours late,
and my train had not waited. | would
have to remain there in the little station
for three hours. | was greatly annoyed
and asked the guard il there was a cafe
in the town.
The young man, who had overheard
our talk, approached me and begged me
that l accept his mothers invitation to
go home with them to dinner.
81 cannot let you wait here three long
hours" she said kindly. "If you will
come with us and partake Of simple
family dinner. we shall be very glad to
have you"
accepted gladly. and together We
walked along the country road.
At the gate of the pretty little house,
as the mother had predicted, stood the
father Beside him were three young
girls, two Of whom dashed through the
gate and down the path as we came in
sight.
was forgotten in the first greetings
between brother and sisters. father and
son. When Jean turned to the figure in
white standing little apart, the mother
remembered me. and / was introduced to
the others.
Never have | enjoyed a dinner as did
that one. The repast was simple, the
dining room cool and fragrant with flow
ers. and the faces gathered about the
snowy cloth radiant with happiness.
Jean sat next to Madeline. and saw
that the mothers suspicious were well
founded by the glances the young people
exchanged. Well might she be content
with her sons choice. thought l, for a
sweeter. more womanly face l never saw
than that of the young girl opposite me.
My three hours flew by. and | took
leave Of the family. thanking them heart
lily for their kindness to me.
AS l walked along the road to the sta
ton the stars were coming out in the
pale sky and an utter peace seemed to
descend over all nature, whose spirit per-
vaded my being. felt refreshed.
strengthened by the atmosphere of fam
lily love in which had so recently been
enveloped.
"And they form but one of many"
thought, and the reflection thrilled me
with joy. Nowhere in the world is the