The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-07-02
THE ADVERTISERS
 DAILY SHORT STORY

I had been reported she had smiled wist. | fully. but hopefully Sammys young. | a good. boy an will do better when he's older. Him an mes goin' to live together l ag'in some time; hell be laym oy Tor | 1t pretty Soon.
 throat as he remembered now many | times he had heard her say that and how many times he had declared in moments of boyish repentance, that he was going to take care of her when he was man. Even after he left he had once written home that he was 'goin' to git some money laid by pretty soon.' All through these three years she had written regu. answered only briefly and at long. inter vals. her faith in him had not for an instant wavered. Even now he had a letter in his pocket received three days before and not yet opened.
 Down here in the depth of the hold. alone. with everything he had known about to be left behind, his heart had suddenly grown tender and sore U might be years before he would see the gentle old face again, 'an' at the thought his fingers reached for the letter and drew 1t out softly and tenderly. But 1t was already dark in the hold and he could not see. .
 For moment he stroked 1t remorse- fully then he pushed the case aside and groped his way out among the po&es anu bales He would seek the hatchWay or
  to read the letter He must find out what the old mother had to say; and he would return-he would-and do everything that he had promised. He would go back 10 the little farm and take care of the moth CT in her old age. He could make ny ing there and that was more than ne was sure of in a city.
 For an hour there had been the final sounds of departure overhead, but he had not noticed this As he went forward, however he was conscious of peculiar sensation of rising and falling, which told him that the ship was under way. The hatchway was not closed, but even there it would have been too dark but for a light somewhere above, which sent a dull shaft into the hold. In this he opened the letter and read: Dear sam my-Pm down with the rheumattcs, an the doctor says t will be a long time fore I'm out. The nabors are good, but they can't leave their own work an do mine. I'm feared, sammy. if you don Faint wuth much, but l can't look out for 1t any more. But don't feel bad, dear boy, If you can't come. It's only rheumatics I've got. Ever your loving mother" The young man choked; there was an unmistakable sob. In a moment he had clambered up the hatchway. A few pas sengers were standing near the rail or lounging about: but no officers were Tn sight. It was nearly dark.
 Slipping back to the stern of the vessel, which was almost deserted, the young man glanced about wearly. The wharves were a mile away and were shadowy out lines; but he did not mind that, for he was strong swimmer and bold one. What he feared was the illustration of a plan which had suddenly formed in his mind.
 No one was watching him, however. and presently graspi rg a rope, he swung himself over the side and from the end of the rope he dropped into the water.
 Two hours later he drew himself up on one of the wharves. nearly exhausted, but with a look on his face that had not been there for years. Now for home," he said aloud; straight for home" Then he disappeared in the shadow of the great warehouses.