Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1904-07-21

they fought for. Such a thing as a de-
mocracy never entered their heads.
And II you take this couese you will
be false to every tradition Of our past.
In my opinion the people are not fit to
govern, and you will find it so. In the
impious attempt that is being made to
reverse what l conceive to be the d.
vinely appointed polity and law Of God,
disaster must be the only end"
Mother, l must follow my convic-
lions in the present rather than any
examples in the past. But this is a
painful discussion. Should we not best
end it? / honor your opinions. ! love
you, but l must 60"
There was a long silence. She broke
it. "Well. my child" she said in de-
SPAR, you have reached mans estate,
and the men of the Talbot race have
ever been accustomed to do as their
judgment dictates. If you have decid-
ed to join Washington's rabble and
take part among the rebels in this
fratricidal contest l shall say no more
l annot further oppose you. l cannot
give you my blessing as | might in
happier circumstances nor can | wish
you success in your cause l, too, am
a Talbot and have my principles,
which / must also maintain, but at
least l can grid your sword about you
and express the hope and MAKE the
prayer, as l do, that you may wear and
use 1T honorably, and that hope, il you
q ra tr,.A 70 tho trnHitinnG of nnr hn1Sn
will never be broken-I feel sure of
that at least"
The young man bent and kissed his
mother, a new light shining in his
eyes. Mother, l thank you. At least.
as far as l am concerned, l will en-
deavor to do my duty honorably in ev-
cry field. And nov l think, with your
Katharine that / have at last made up
my mind and cast my lot with her-I
mean with our country" he said, blush
ing, but with the thoughtless disregard
Of youth as to the meaning and effect
of his words.
go, my son, and God be with you'll"
she said solemnly.
He stepped lightly out oil the porch
and, swinging into the saddle Of the
horse which awaited himwith the ease
and grace of an accomplished horse
man, galloped off in the moonlight
night, followed by the groom.
The little old woman stood rigidly In
the doorway a moment looking after
her departed son, and then she walked
quickly down to a rustic seat on the
brow of the hill and sat down heavily,
following with straining eyes and
yearning heart his rapidly disappear
ing figure. The same pang that every
mother must feel, those who have a
son at least, once In her life. If no more,
came to her heart. All her prayers
had been unavailing, her requests I'M
needed, her pleas and wishes disregard
ed. She had an idea, not altogether
warranted perhaps, but still she had 1t,
that the influence was not so much the
example of General Washington, nor
the eloquence of Patrick Henry, 0 the
force of neighborly example, nor rigid
principle, but the influence of a sunny
head, and a pair Of youthful eyes, and
a merry laugh, and a young heart, and
a pleading voice. These have always
stood in the light of a mother since the
world began. and these have taken her
son from her side. All her hopes gone,
her dreams shattered, her sacrifice
vain, her love wasted, she bowed her
white head upon her thin hands and
wept quietly in the silent night. The
deep waters had gone over her soul,
and the rare tears of the old woman
bespoke a breaking heart.