The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1902-08-02
i The Gunmaker
4 OF Moscow ~
: 70 ~ ~ BY SYLVANUS COBB. Jr. |


~ ehdh NhCi upOD llcI DOY
She had seen the SHOWS of so win
tiers, and if they had left some sill
yer upon her head and some age
marks upon her face the sunshine
OF full as many summers had left
her with a thankful, loving heart
and prayerful, loving soul
1T is showing again, faster than
ever" remarked Paul as he took his
seat at the table.
All" returned Ruric, resting his
knife few moments while he bent
his ear to listen to the voice of the
storm. 81 had hoped 'twould snow
no more for the present. The snow
is deep enough now. And how it
blows p
''Never mind" spoke the dame in
a trustful, easy tone; cit must storm
when 1T listeth, and we can only
thank God that we have shelter and
pray Tor those who have none"
Amen responded Ruric fer
vently.
After this the trio remained some
minutes silent, seeming to be busy
In listening to the storm notes that
came pealing about the cot The
wind was high, and the snow was
now dashing upon the windows with
a dreary, melancholy sound. The
meal was at length eaten and the ia
BILE set back, and shortly afterward
Paul retired to his bed. 1t was his
wont to retire early, for he rose
early to build the fires and prepare
for the labors of the day.
Ruric drew his chair close I'D TO
the fireplace, and, leaning against
the Jamb, he bowed his head and
pondered again. This had become
a habit with him of late. Some
times he would sit thus during a
whole hour without speaking or
even moving, and his mother did
not interrupt him, as she supposed
he might be solving some mechanic
al problem that had arisen to bother
him. But these fits of thought had
become too frequent, too lengthy
and too moody for such a conclu-
sion, and the good woman was fore
ed to believe that they were caused
by something more remote than the
business of the forge or the lathe.
The youth now sat with his brow
resting upon his hand and his eyes
bent upon the hearth. For half an
hour he had not moved, and his
face wore nm anxious, troubled look.
"Ruric, my son." spoke the moth
er at length in a low, kind tone.
what is it. that occupies your
thoughts SO much ?"
The young man started and turn
ed his gaze upon his mother.
Did you speak to me, my moth
er - he asked after having recalled
him mind to things about him.
YES, my boy" she said, 81 did
peak to you. l asked you what it
vas that occupied your thoughts"
"Oh, nothing, nothing" Ruric an
wered after some moments of hest
alton. 81 was only thinking; that
vas ALL"
- know you were thinking, and
know that was all at the time, but
# what, Ruric? Come, hide no Sc
'rets from your mother. / have no.
iced you of late, and | know YOU
Ire changed That old smile is
zone from your face, and sometimes
have feared the gladness has
zone from your heart. ] have seen
'ou bent in thought over your work
when knew that of your work you
we're not thinking, and | have seen
'ou buried in deep thought when
Tou should be reading or convers-
ng with me-"
"Have |. then, offended you,
ny mother?"
NO, no; oh, no, my noble boy. !
Never did such thought enter nv
mind If ! have been made uneasy
hereby, it was only in love for thee
nd the fear that thou vert not so
Iappy as in the past Will you not
ell me all? oh, / hope my boy [
ears not to trust his mother with
is thoughts"
As she spoke thus she moved her
eat close to where Ruric sat and
laced her hand upon his arm.
TEL me, my boy" she added in {
low, persuasive tone, ''what it is 6
hat dwells thus upon your mind" ,
Ruric reached out and took his ,
,other's hand, and, having gazed 6
or some moments into her face, he |
aid: {
Surely, my mother, 1 have moth c
lg in my soul that / would hide {
rom thee If 1 have kept my '
loughts to myself with unseeming /
lence, it has been because l feared I
on would laugh at me if / told you h
{ them" '
"Ah, no, my son." the mother re- t
he'd almost reprovingly. Nothing
lat could claim such deep and alb y