Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1914-12-18
HAS LONG JOURNEY.

the t-other day, and put in every
thing / could think of that you might
need, but I'll just bet anything you'll
fergit somethin'. A body allus does,
seems ter me. Now, think, and if
anything has been left out fer good
ness sake say what it is, and I'll put
it i'll yer trunk. You know, too,
there's something you'll need on this
long trip besides the things in yer
trunk. I'll put these in yer little grip.
You know you can't git in yer trunk
after its checked, and put away on
the boat. So, I'll put your other things
you'll need on the way in yer little
satchel which you will take along in
yer hand. It's bad e'nuf to have yer
goin' away so fer by yerself and leav-
in us all, anyhow, and we want you
&c have everythin' you need on the
way" The daughter spoke with n
sort of choke in her voice and full
ness in her throat. Her mother was
to leave that day to join her father
in the West, who had gone there some
months before to settle a new home.
The mother had been written for to
come on to join him and son, lcav-
ing the rest of the family to come 50
soon as the crops were all harvested
and disposed of. There was quite nat
Grally, sadness in the old home
"Yes," said the mother, ave got ev-
crything / b'lieve, and l am ready to
go now. Everything is in the trunk
except the dress l finished Yesterday,
and that folded ready to pack up. You
can put it in the trunk when yer
please now. Pm ready to start. OF
course I've known of this trip Il long
time, and figgered out just what IA
need, and now haint got nuthin' to
do but to pick up and go when the
time comes. When your Pa went
away, you know he said he'd send for
me, but didn't know just when, and so
| began right then to get ready, and
his last letter, you remember, he said
the time was near when he expected
TO call me, and to be ready at short
notice. He said he didn't want me to
leave until | was ready, and fully pre-
pared for the journey, and you all in
good fix. So l was ready, you sec,
when his letter came last night. | am
sorry to have to leave you all here By
yourselves, but you mustn't git lone
some. You'll have e'nuff to do 20
keep you busy, and you won't have
time to worry about yer Ma. reckn
I'll enjoy the trip on the boat tho
amt never been on boat, but they
co say it is mighty nice, easy travelin'
if a'body don't git seasick. I'll be
thinkin' about meetin' yer Pa and lit
tie Jim all the way, and this'll help to
short'n the journey mabbe. They
have good beds on the boat they tell
me, and I'll be only travelin' one
night and part o two days. That
aint long, and the first thing you know
I'll he there and know your Pa and
Jimmie III be glad to see me. You all
must be good children and take good
eyer O. each other, and it won't be
long, you know till you all come"
What time does the boat leave, Ma ?
fergit," the daughter asked. "a dun
no exactly. The driver said he'd call
fer me at the right time, and l aint
vorryin'. I'm leavin' it all to him.
know him. He'll do what he says"
And this mother who was to take
her first trip away from home, went
about the house she was to leave for
ever, without worry and anxiety. She
had thought it all out weeks and
months beforehand. Every detail
had been arranged for her journey.
To get the consent of her mind and
heart to go was the hardest fight, but
she had fought it, and was ready to
go. When the final moment came,
ard the trunks were loaded it was
the children who did the crying, those
she was leaving behind. They all-two
daughters and son, went with Their
"Ma" down to the landing, where the
river steamer lay. The children stood
by, trying to be cheerful. One by one
they said goodbye, Ma" She hug
ged each one and left mothers kiss
or their tear-stained faces. The gang
plank was hauled in. Bells changed.
The ship moved off quietly, and disap-
Feared "around the bend"
This little story is an illustration.
1t won't do you, dear friend, any
harm to think, as another year of your
life closes, of the long, long journey
you must soon make, alone. Have
you tried to learn anything definite
about the new country to which you
are going? Are you well equipped for
the journey? Surely, if you are SEN
sible you will not neglect preparation
tor the journey until the boatman
calls!
Sunset and evening star.