The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1906-04-14
FOR MOTHERS SAKE. %
By Emma Garrison Jones.

ne end Was that they made a nigh
Of i, ana when the morning dawned
poor Dick found himself alone, for
saken by his friends. ana the scale,
envelope and its contents gone.
The shock sobcred him. He got up
ana with his head beating like trim
hammer, walked back 10 his native
village and, seeking his employer, con.
f"ssed all that had happened. Mr.
Robinson was greatly provoked and
al once put the matter into the hands
OF the law and Dick Arnold was arrest
ed and sent to prison
When the news came TO his fathers
ears he refused 10 give his son either
! ald or cGuntenance.
I'm donc with him. Let them send
MN TO the State prison; he deserves
/ it,
Hnt the mother, her faithful heart
gong OF il yearning pity for her
erring boy. stool and pouGered how
She might save him.
IN little while She turned and on
terms the pleasant cottage, Went slow
" mp stairs and into her chamber
where her daughter Rose LIT SEWING
on her bridal robes
Sitting down beside her She toIa
Her the story Of her brothers trouble
Rose understood her mothers mean
ing even before she could put ii into
words. There was 4 litAe box on the
tan.e. which contained her MARRIAGE
doWry. Little BY little the father and
mother had boarded il in their only
catghter's name. that she might not
be doWerless on her wedding day.
Pretty Rose took the box and put
il in her mothers hands.
Take il. mother" she said. land
90 with II as you think best"
Heaven bless you. nv dauchtar
but i IS hard to deprive you of your
marriage dowry and your wedding dav
50 near
Roses fair checks bloomed like her
namesaEe in the little garden below.
and her blue eyes lit.
Never mind that. mother" she said
Charlie will be willing to take me
without the dowry-I am sure of it."
50 Mrs. Arnold took the box and
went her way. Before the day ended
she had refunded the money to Mr..
Robinson and the charge was with
drawn. and her boy was out Of nrison
cant go home, mother. Father
doesn't want me: he told me So" said
DICK. as they stood under the green
locust trees beyond the cottage lawn.
Let me go out into the world and
work my way up, and then Ill come
back"
she put her arms about his neck. and |
looked up at him with streaming eyes I
On, DICK, my boy, my darling, YOU |
VIII do bettcr-you will, Dick, for
sake?'
Yes, mother. God being my helper.
VIII. I've caused you so much trou-
Die, and you've always been good and
sehtie 10 me. mother. Forgive me.
lo"; III come back to be comfort
o you yet
My boy, l forgive you. and | be-
leve in you. Here Dick" and she
rev purse and worn little Bible
rom her bosom, take these. You NAV
iced the money; the Bible is mine
Bible, don't forget
nat. Mother has read in it every day
nd night for the last thirty years.
QUILL think Of that. Dick, and you'll
cad it-for mothers sakeo"
Yes, mother
Every night, Dick, no matter where
GU may be, you'll read a chapter. and
ct down on your knees and pray.
ne little prayer mother taught Won. if
othlng else? Promise me. Dick.
very night at ten O'Clock. at that hour
snail be on my knees praying for
on. my boy. | shall never miss a
light, Dick, while live: promise me
gu won't. Dick. Promise me you'll
o it for mothers sake"
Dick tried to promise but he let his
head drop down on his
Others bosom instead and went there
Ike child
AS the sun set they parted.
"Good-by, my boy. and God bless
~. You'll keep your promise, for ,
Others sake?'
Yes, mother, with Gods help.
ood-by!"
Across the fields, with his little BIZ
e in his bosom, and his bundle in his 2
and, went poor, erring Dick. ard a