Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-09
A MOTHERS sELF1sHNEss.
(Original.)

Mother, my country calls. | must
so. am sure they will take me. al
though I am but nineteen years old"
These words were said by Harry Clay
ton. who was very good looking. Har-
ry had asked his mothers permission
to- to Join the army; His mother abso-
go. Harry ended their conversation
by saying: Even against your wishes,
VIII go. For, mother. dear. my coun-
try needs me more than you do" Mrs
Clayton did not have time to reply, for
he had gone TO register.
oh. dear; oh: dear; how will 1 live
without Harry" cried the mother. IT
Will stop him from registering" she
continued, and she put on her hat and
Goat ,;nn and and went to the nearest regissra.
In time TO- hear the officer ask her
aon this: Have your parents given
consent" She saw the perplexed look
and said, mo. they have not Mrs.
Clayton told the officer who she was
"Mr. Clayton, do you think you ought
Yes. sir; for my country needs me-"
Right you are, but IL you go you
wishes"
MY mother can do without me. for
she does not look to me for support"
went out followed by Harry. who said
Mother. you know II father was alive
ne would consent to my going" She
her dead husband. but only said: "Oh.
Harry, what am to do without you?
do not know. but think Will die
him on the forehead.
Mother. you will not die. but il you
do. we will meet in Heaven, but do
Harry" pushing him away. what
do you mean by that If die. II will
not be for you. Go. and never enter
| my house again
| But, mother"
mo butts. sir; go at once
| Good bye. mother. you will regret
having sent me away with such words
Tears stood in Harry's eyes as he left
the house he was never to enter again.
Harry has only, two more weeks of
training before he is to go to France.
He never speaks of his mother to
Bales young man a 'r Of the e Same a aTe
sent TO give his life for his country.
the Battle E sld s R phseo his a frIsna d.
James" he said, III die and you live
viii you tell mother it's her fault she
sent me away downhearted."
Yes. dear friend. and il II is the
other way. tell mother l gave my life
for my country"
Bling. Bang! Bullets whistled from
all sides.
Bling! bullet went through Harry's
!es. The only words he managed to
say were. Don't forget. James,"
II won't" answered James, 81 live"
James did live. as we will see later.
Meanwhile. after all the lighting ceas-
ed all the wounded were brought to
hospitals. Harry was among them.
Four months passed before Harry was
entirely we'll. BY that time the war
was over.
James came home safe and sound
TO his beloved mother: who trusted in
God. after hard lighting. He sought
Mrs. Clayton and gave her the mes
sage sent by Harry. "Oh, no one can
imagine what ] have suffered. ! will
TO Heaven" cried Mrs. Clayton. If
you do Harry will never forgive YOU"
said James.
Although James did not know it, but
Harry was at that moment in front OF
| that very house arguing with himself.
| decided to. He was admitted by n new
| servant and found himself facing
James and Mrs. Clayton.
Harry" they both exclaimed in one
Yes. am safe and sound back
"Oh. Harry" Interrupted his mother"
can You forgive your poor mother"
Yes. mother. IL you will forgive me-"
There is nothing i can forgive you
for.'
James. you are q true friend; give
me your hand"
They took each others hand and
looked in one another's true eyes.
And so you see mothers must not
trust In God He will watch over them
ana spare nose ROSA LEvE Es On