The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-08-14
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
A SOLDIERS MOTHER.
BY DOROTHY DOUGLAS.
Copyright, 1918, BY the Mcclure

anu EbOurIk DDNlAAk lAdA WaH"t4rA
her ever since be had settled him
self IN his comfortable Pullman seat in
the great station. He vas certain that
she was somebody mother, for u was
the striking resemblance 10 his own
mother that had at first attracted his
attention 10 her
Now the train was sidetracE.
somewhere IN the Middle West 30
order 10 give right OF way 70 loads O.
coal and trainload after trainload OF
food stuitS being speeded on their way
10 the soldier boys across the sea.
As one hour followed another. The
pretty woman. whom Robert seldom
permitted his eyes 20 leave, began TO
look anXiousl 1T her little watch, then
ogs OF the win 'oV. then a. a letter
which she had read and re read fire.
Qutntly during the trip.
"a last the young man summoned
the temerty 10 20 over and speak
do you mind my sitting down by
YOU" he asked leaning over the sweet
face and looking into the lovely blue
eyes 30 Ike MS own dear mothers in
expression.
Mrs. PenbCrton moved toward tie
window and smiled wonderful smii2
q th0 young men. There Is nothing
at this moment that would please M
more" she said. IT is for q boy just
. little younger than you that ! am
lnXiously travelling 70 get sight o.
che said.
"Oh-then I vas right knew you
we're somebody's mother Ny own
mother was much ike you i your
boy in--in the service. perhaps"
Indeed he IS" the wom1n answered
proudly. "And he is on his way across
country now on one Of the trucks OF
the Commissary Department. There
vas q good chance OF my seeing him in
Detroit II ou train had gone through
end" her voice trembled a little
sut she steadied II bravely and resum.
"a and ] have made this long trip
% that one chance Of seeing him be-
lore be sails for the other side. They
gave him no furlough. He wrote me
that the government felt that these
lest minute furloughs we're the undo
Ing Of many OF the men and so-hereI
an. What won't a mother do for 4
glimpse OF her son.
Robert Bowling asked a number OF
rapidly formed questions. where the
COmmissary Corps was coming from.
what she believed fits destination TO be.
when II left, the name Of her son and
ell the other points he considered es.
sentlol In the carrying out Of the plan
he had Just made.
Then, excusing himself for a short
time and promising 10 return, he left.
He found the conductor and ascer.
tiained the distance from the station
he knew to be not very far away, and
then he started out. in bad weather
and showbound roads. 10 find IT, He
was q strong walker and accustomed
10 cold, 50 he soon found the depot,
lnd after a long time and much delay,
10 managed to learn that the big com.
missary trucks had not reached the
points they we're scheduled to reach,
owing 10 the same snow.storm that
made the roads in the vicinity OF the
slde-traeked train almost impossible.
bowling left word at one or two
points that he found out the com.
misary Corps had to touch and then
he sought out a country hackman, who
took him back to the siding in a one.
horse sleigh.
Mrs. Pemberton was watching for
him, for she had already guessed the
purpose Of the young mans absence.
"You are too good, my boy" she
said, whcl Robert had told her OF the
messages he had left for her son. Il
only hope may be able to see my
son and have him thank you himself.
He aud | are alone in the world now
and he instantly feels indebted to
anyone who is kind TO his mother"
Robert laughed. I'm sure OF that"
ne said.
Mrs. PembertOn and Robert talked
ubtl we'll into the evening, and when
at last the engine began to spit and
loot. and the bell began to ring. they
both found that the time had not been
long nor weary.
Once in Detroit. Robert took Mrs.
Pemberton to her hotel and hurried on
10 make his own business calls. 81
shall come back tonight and / hope 10
have word OF the wandering soldier
boys BY that time" he said. as be left
her.
''lIl be looking for you, and shall
not try TO tell you what your assist.
tnce and eompanionShip have meant
to me"
Mrs. Pemberton watched him hurry
sway and could not help wondering
Why lie. too, was not in the service OF
us country. She could not tell to look
II him that he had valcular heart
trcubie which. much TO his sorrow.
KEEP: In from passing physical eG.
sallnal.Ons.
Late that afternoon, the mothers
Eyes we're getting weary for = sight
u her son. when she saw Robert Dow.
Ing hTrrying into the hotel foyer, Sp.
parenlly for some one.
"Oli ne bFeOthed. nervouSly. here
you ne" He said T. half IN relief,
talt In distress.
Mrs.. POmbeFton scrutlniEOd his q.
preston. What Is II, boy"
Lets cit down" he began. taking |
Be Fagm kindly and leading her 20 q !
, comfortable seat on which there vas
nom tor him also.
"F'iTst-youF son ID OII riGht. I'm
yeIbg to take you 10 him in a moment. i.
~ was afraid, when first saw you
.hli-that You HAD heard"