The Van Buren press., 1912-07-27
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS k2Ne2.,s s. s.

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The Bov had often wondered no"
It would seem to have a mother as o1n,
er boys had. But they did not tAiIIA u
so wonderful, even when they were
kissed and caTessed in that iona loo'
lsh way some mothers have.
Tho Boy remembered one eApe''
ence. an experience so wonderIuI Una,
tie could never forget it, one co'u
morning in January when on his way
TO school, he called for Jack, ms 90!
friend Jacks mother, a sml"nS'
sweetvotced woman, had insisted upon
her son wearing overshoes, mucn
against his Will, and had buttoned ms
coat and tucked around his neck
warm soft mufder
Jack had objected, he could not see
the need of so much fuss on MS
mothers part. and he was IN hurry
to try his new sled on the hill back OIL
the school house before the morning
session opened.
The Boy had watched with serious
blue eyes as the mother drew her son
to her and kissed his round rosy
cheek. Perhaps she noticed his Wist-
full gaze, for she slipped her other
arm around him, and kissed him, too
His pale thin face flushed with uneX-
pected pleasure And then they had
gone out into the snow. Jack wore an
expression of annoyance at what MS
mother had done but the Boys face
shone with a new happiness, while his
heart was warm with a glow that II
had never felt before.
That night he had gone to sleep
with his small pillow clasped in his
arms, his cheek pressed close to 1t
in a most pathetic way He had whis-
pered to it tender words Of love, and
had called It Mother"
Ellen, his nurse, coming to tuck him
IN for the night, found his pillow tight
ly clasped in his arms. She could not
understand this, and had thought him
"just a strange little boy" The moth
er IN her had never been awakened;
she knew nothing Of boy nature.
81 wonder what ever he is doing
that for? Doesn't he know how to use
his pillow? It's too dreadfully foolish
She carefully removed it from the
Boys arms, smoothed and put It in its
proper place. She then turned out the
light and quietly left the room,
As the boy became familiar with the
use Of the pen, he began to compose
little letters to an imaginary mother,
Dear Mother" he would begin, 81
wish you was here to see your little
boy at school beat em all IN spell.
in today and teacher said ! was doin'
fine, | wish you could see me coastin'
down hill on my new sled father gave
me my birthday Father Is dretful
busy, he has no time to play with his
little boy as you wood, mother Your
own little boy. Robert"
Or
My own loyn' Mother; Jacks
mother kst him six times cause he is
six years old ! wish you Good kiss
me six times when | am six years old
which viii be next week-doar mother
can trow ball farder than most eny
other boy | no Of ! wish so much /
Good see you and love you Goodby
from your own-Bobby."
One day the Boys father found one
Of these piutul little letters. lie read
It through with eyes that were wet
and IN ache IN his throat lie went
70 the Boys room 10 place It carefully
In the drawer Of his small desk. Here
he found other little notes that plainly
showed painstaking effort In correct
ness and noatness, There vast a
blot Of any kind TO mar the simple
whitoncss Of the page. Poor little
mothcrloss Kid" he said half aloud.
Father didn't know"
lie went down 10 the library and
locked himself in lie drew from n
drawer IN his desk a faded photo.
grHph OF woman Long md earnest.
ly he looked at her faco, thcro were
the same serious blue eyes and sonsI.
tive mouth which he could see oyery
day IN the small face Of his son. lie
wondered n he had loved h,r enough,
II he hod always been the thoughtful,
consldoroto and kindly companion. Unt
those were busy years. one continual
grind FOR the ever nooduI dollar Yes.
II was n patient face. but mll of wIgt.
ful sadness Strange he had never no.
tlcod Il before IIo wondered n she
had not often been lonely whom he was
gouo all day, or many times too weary
TO RIyo her tho many little alton.
tions 90 door 70 every VITO. He sat
n long tlmo In reyorlo, and with real
pain IN his heart He wondered lf my
possible neglect Of the happiness IN
this llttlc woman's lllo could account
for the Boys serious pcnaIye express.
sion, lie glanced from the photograph
IN his hand to tho lnrGor one IN lts clt
Franc that stood on Ma desk the mo.