LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2326, 17 September 1881, Page 4

LITERATURE.

Hid MOTHERM BLKB3ING,

[“ Louisville C.urier Journal.”]

Thera was tho ususl crowd at the depot. Som-i harried hither and thither with satohals, bundles aud shawls, and all the other paraphernalia r.f the well equipped traveller, not excepting the lunch basket, which filled the mind of the beholder with a vague appetite as his vivid imagination pictured a tooth j cme repast of cold chicken, tongue, preserved sweetmeats, pies and the like, oloaattid in their dark recesses; and if of a bibulous turn of mind, a thought of hidden bottles of some ‘cheering’ and ‘ inebriating beverage ’ lent an additional glow to the invitiog picture, and to think that all of there dainties were secured (?) by only a simple piece of twine, with which (maddening thought - the truceuloat baggagomsster was reokltsfly familiar. Noticeable among the passengers which filled the 1 idles’ waiting-room and overflowed on the platform, were a distinguished pair —notable anywhere, but more particularly here in this heterogeneous miss of human beings. Seme strong emotion held them both with its deep and earnest spell, but in one the feeling, while deeper, was at the same time under better control There are few spectacles more touching than the appearance of deep feeling with evident effort at strong and continued restraint

The two persons were mother and son, the former a widow, clad in the sable weeds which mutely and sadly told tho story of her bereavement, and it required but little pene tration to perceive that this was her only son, and that her heart, sore perhaps from recent affliction, was altogether bound up in him. She was tall, slender and st tc-ly, and on her white brow, touched here and there by raven tresses, ming ed with silver, and in the soft, dark eyes, there slumbered, rather than shone, that expression of patient resignation, that ■jerenity of heart which comes alcne to those for whom affection has been sacrificed ; those who have learned in the midst of crushing sorrow tho sublime meaning of those words, *To suffer and be strong.’ Ecr sou was a taT, slight and graceful youth of about eighteen summers, with the same clear, honest eyes, and cheeks bronzed by the sun ; but a forehead wh ta as alabaster, surmounted by a waving mass of nutbrom curls, which defi :d the touch of the hair-dressers’ pruning scissors, and showed here and there a rebellious lock, as irrepressible, alas 1 as the owner, the irresolute curve of whose scarlet lips betrayed him an easy dupe to those who cared to lead him astray. The preparations grew more huniid as the hour for starting approached. A middle-aged gentleman, portly and good nature’, made his appearance, and seeing our travellers, exclaimed heartily : 1 How d’ye do, Vrs Balfour ; how are you, Fred? Are you on this train V ‘ I am going to try my fortune in Colorado, Mr Lawson ’

‘And your mother?’ he said, turning to

‘ Sho remains he-e for the present ' ‘ I thought perhaps it would ba better for him to leave home for awhile, especially as he has an uncle there who has often urged me to send him, a- 4 has already pictured a bright future for him there,’ said the lady in clear, sweet tones, though it was with an effort she kept back the tears. ‘Quite right,' responded Mr Lawson, ‘it wi l make a man of him to depend on himseT. I’ve no donbt it will be quite lonely for you, madam for a while, at least.

‘ I do not taka my own feeling into consideration, I assure you. sir, else I would never give my consent It is only that I feel that there are better opportunities In the West for a young man who has to make his own fortune, and there are surely no open ings for him here. We have tested that pretty thoroughly,’ she added, with a sigh. The presence of a third party at this !a=t Interview between mother and son was felt to be a relief, for, when the heart strings are about to he shattered, the untold agony is inexpressible and each utterance la felt to be a pang The trio beguiled the time in conversation on unimportant and trivial topics until the bell rang. Then the pale mother, clasping her treasure ou ra more in her em brace, and secretly and without ostentation pUcing a plain gold ring on his finger, while with trembling lips she invoked a silent blofslng cn his young head, bade him goodbye'and saw the.-swiftjy-moving train bear him cut of sight. To those who go away the parting is not so bitter as to those who remain behind. The rapidly-moving panorama of scenes, the hurry and bustle and departure, and the conlitcmtly appearing and receding landscape cheer the wounded sensibilities, and with th-rr soothing influences distract the attention from sorrow, and by flow and almost imperceptible degrees check the tear, and on the cheek it h’S lately bedewed place the glow ef hope and lends the eye the faint luster of a bright anticipation. Snob were the feelings of Frederick Balfour as he was conveyed on the wings of steam towar.; his distant destination. Ho was a warm-hearted and generous lad, strong’y and deeply attached to his mother, with that chivalrous devotion which so often sprmgi into existence when a father has been tak' n away and the remaining parent clings for support and affect’on to her cherished offspring. With all the enthusiasm of youth—fond of novelty and excitement—he, after his first emotions of grief had been subdued, entered Into the spirit of the scene, and, in oonve-sing with the other passengers, viewed the ever.changing kaleidoscope nf scenery without, and meditating on the bright pictures of the future pr-sperity which continually fed his imagination, the day passed rapidly and cheerfully away. Whan the twilight shadow began to fall a cloud, faint and small, slowly gathered on his boyish brow, his spirits began to droop, and thoughts of home and the dear ones there crept slowly around his heart, stilling the gay laugh which arose to his lips, and quelling the brightness of his clear, honest eyes.

His downward glance fell on the ring his mother had placed on his finger while bidding him good-bye Without pausing for thought, he drew it off, and as the waning light sunset stole through the window It revealed this inscription, engraved upon the inside : ‘God bless you.’ That was all, but as he read it tha tear unbidden, yet unrebaked, rushed to his eyes, and a prayer, pure and fervent, rose to his lips that the sacred wish, wrung from the aching desolate heart, now far away, might be fully and truly answered. *#***#

A year had passed, and with it had brought many changes. Surrounded by the temptations which, In a strange and distant city, are so apt to lead young feet astray, Frederick soon became an easy prey to more than one vice. His uncle was immersed in business cares, and, having no children of his own, was not calculated to scrutinise the actions cf his nephew. Besides, the most of his derelictions from the path of rectitude took place out of business hours, when the old man was ‘sleeping the sleep of the just,’ leaving his ward to do the same if he chose. As Fred was for the most part attentive to his m rctntile duties, and his i.ncle overindnlgent (for the form was really a loveable and prepossessing youth), he took it for granted that all was as well as oould be expected, and if not, why, * boys will be boys,’ he asserted to himself with a chuckle of amused satisfaction. When some of his male friends told him that his nephew was ‘ cutting rather a wide swath,’ his goodhumored countenance would cloud up for a while, and then he would say, ■ Oh, he will turn out all right. Sowing his wild oats, you know. Blood will toll,’ and mention other proverbs which can often be made to point many inferior jests and strengthen many a weak argument.

But there was one sentinel that kept ■watch and wa d over the fatherless boy. Night and night, while the pale stars looked down with their solemn, serious eyes, the anxious mother knelt by her conch, and the name of the distant, wayward, but beloved one, was borne aloft on the pinions of those pure and holy orisons which enter into the Court of Heaven and plead with strange and unearthly sweetness there. T;me passed and the letters which had at first been regular, affectionate, and satisfactory, were few and brief, and there was a notable lack of information about his duties, pursuits, and ploasures, in great contrast to the confidential communications of the past. A deep anxiety took possession of her, when after a long delay she wrote a letter of Inquiry to his uncle, to which she received

a reply rather evaaive, yet cheerful enough for any but the Argus-eya of maternal aff otlon. Deeming herself perhaps too solicitous and prone to look on the dark side of events on account o ? past vicoissitudes, she waited with what patience and resignation she could command for further particulars concerning the success of his business ventures

It had been her intention when he lift h- r to join him as soon as ciicumstancts would permit, and now she hastened her p oparations with greater rapidity, as wei ks passed aud she hea'd nothing save a few br t f hues informing her that he was well As the time of departure drew near a strange presenti ment of evil seemed to settle down upon her spir ts, and a deep gloom as of approaching danger filled her aching heart. # * * * *

It was night in Dinver. In one of those gilded haunts of vice so numerous and popular in that western city, the sound of drunken revels c'uld be heard. The waning moon shed a ’soft, mild lustre on the almost deserted street, for the nigut was far advanced, and the fresher breeze of approaching morning began to make Itself felt In the atmosphere without; but within, the fetid fumes of liquor, tobacco, and artificial light, together with the stifling warmth, offered a nauseous contrast and proved a sickening pabulum for lungs expanded and braced by draughts of th? purer evening air of heaven. And if the contrast was distinct in this respect, how much greater, alas! was It, eonsidored in a mental an’ moral respect? Within, the dice rattled, the glasses clinked, and rough and burly forms, associated with besotted and degraded faces, lurked around the table and handled the treacherous Ivory and the still more treacherous fluids with which the wearied bartender served the frequenters of the vde and des perate place. Prom many a belt gleamed the murderous light of a hidden stiletto, and the ready pistol was a necessary adjunct to to tho * apparel, ’ whi -h here, as elsewh - re, ‘ proclaimed the man.’ Many nationalities were represented among them—Mexicans, with dark, fierce faces, and sombrero hats; Chinese, smooth and oily, with outward stupidity concealing deep cunning and artifice, aud American youths, course and debased by habit, association and lack of restraining self-respect.

Amid this mass of human debris, near one of the card tables, his face flushed with intoxication, his hand trembling with nervous eagerness, and his form carelessly attired, s*.t Frederick Balfour, How like a fair flower amid weeds ho looked in spits of his haggard face, his reckless air, and his blood ohot eye. The graceful air so natural still lingered in his lithe movements, and on the b ow and month, onco so fondly imprinted with a mother’s parti g kiss, dwelt a shadowy expression of sadness as if his guardian angel, bidding farewell, and fanned him with her departing pinions and left the fleeting perfume of her holy presence on his guilt-st dned soul. Tho play was at its height when a quarrel arose among the men ; the intense eager looks of the players were exchanged for those of malice, haired, murder 1 In the dark, wicked faces gleamed a deadly light, as Frederick, with youthful pertinacity and abandon, heeded them not, and by continual contradictions added fuel to the dangerous flames. He hid no more money to stake, and foiled in their expectaticns they made threats, both loud and deep, and boldly accused him of fraud and oven theft. At this juncture, the eye of one of his adversaiies fell upon the ring which still adorned bis hand and glittered like a talismmic guard against evil and destruction. Its intrinsic value was little calculated to awaken the cupidity of any observer, but to a grasping mind the sight of gold, however insignificant, is In itself a temptation. ‘Stake the ring ’ the Mexican roughly exclaimed.

‘ Yes, the ring,’ stupidly echoes his com panions, who were more inebriated than himself and were ready to greet any brutal jest with oaths and applause. Frederick looked at his mother’s parting gift, and as he impulsively drew it from his tioger, the inscription which he had once read with such deep emotion met his fevered gaze—‘ God bicss yon.’ ‘ With what a thrill of anguish he read the words, and the unconscious little shining circlet seemed a sad and silent monitor pointing him toward the scenes of happiness and innocence now so far in the distance a d from which his all-too-willing feet had sadly strayed. ‘ I will not, Icannot,’ he answered hoarsely, as with pale and averted face and trembling hands he replaced the loving token on his finger. ‘ Then I’ll make yen!’ yelled the ruffian, and seizing him by the throat he made a ferocious lunge with a stiletto. The parties in and arrund the salom had by ttia time gathered near, and excitement deep and intense prevailed. No one heeded the fact that a carriage with a lady robed in mourning for its only occupant, had hdted near the door, as a boy rushed in and called to his companions without, ‘Balfour's gottin’ eat by Mexican Joe !’ At the sound of the name the lady in the vehicle called to the driv-r t-> permit her to alight and trembling with terror and aganiaed suspend, she found her way into the salocn where a crowd was rapidly collecting. With norv.us haste she threaded her way into the room from which the n use of strife pro ceeded, the gamins making way for her In silent wonder as she advanced And well might they gaze at her in startled surprise. Such a face and presence wore never seen in the purlieus of that jegion before, save to pass by in a public conveyance, perhaps, and then as rapidly as possible, as if to avoid contamination with the coarser elements of the degraded resorts. Tall, stately, with streaming eyes and quivering lips, her black robes sweeping behind her as she walk d, she entered and saw her son just as he reeled from the blow inflicted by the cruel knife of his vindictive foe. His glance, full of terror, despair and agony In that dreadful moment, saw and recognised her, and his bleeding form fell into her loving, faithful arms with the simultaneous exclamation, ‘ Oh mother !’ and ‘ My dear Frederick, my previous boy I’fell on the ears of the astonished multitude.

A hush of respectful sympathy moved those ruggel hearts as quickly and carefully th;y assisted in removing the suffer from the dreadful scene. Speedily summoning aid, the mother drove to the hotel with her cherished burden, once strong and athletic, n iw weaker and more frail than he self.

A physician was called in, and to her great relief the wounds, though dangerous, were not pronounced fatal. A faint hope still lingered, and with care and watchfulness he might survive. And need it be added that there would be no lack of affectionate care, when a devoted mother keeps sleepless vigil beside ;he couch of her suffering, yet youthful and only son. Header, would you follow the fortunes of Frederick Balfour, gs with mo to a great city In the West, where the leaping waves of a peaceful ocean carnsa the beautiful concave of the. Golden Gate ; where amid tha hum of business, the dreams of the moat are often a bright reality ; where fortune, like the far-tamed palace of Aladdin, rises in a night and gladdens the surrounding plains with its splendor at the rising of the morning sun. It is the holy Sabbath day, and as the voice of deep-toned bells, calling to tha cathedral and chapel, linger faintly on the air, the throngs of expectant and devout peop’o hasten to the temple of worship In one of these, the young minister takes his place behind the pulpit, and for a tew mo men’s bows his head in prayer. Tn this vast assemblage there is one whose heart throbs with far deeper and grander joy than it ever pulsated before. There she sits. Her paleface has borrowed from excitement a faint tinge of youthful bloom ; tha clear dark eyes are t ue and earnest as of yoro, and tha slightly curling threads of hair which touch her placid forehead so caressingly are now quite silvered, yet scorning to wear heaven’s holiest bonison, nestling among their waves of snow. The choir began their solemn anthem, ‘God Is the refuge of His people,’ and as the deep sonorous chords melt and mingle in the lofty temple, and then fl at away to heaven, a solemnity 7 broods over the hearts and minds of the eager and ■ xpactant congregation. The anthem finished, the minister rises. It is the same Frederick, changed more, perhaps, from within than without, for the frank earnest eyes are still there, the scarlet lips, surmounted now by a brown moustache, the waving looks are brushed back except where here and there a wayward curl will steal from its restraint, and hint that boyhood has scarcely passed, though stern yet noble manhood, c n the brow and In the heart, now reign supreme.

His voice, deep and musical, enchains and onrapta the hearers, as filled with reverence, fervor and holy enthusiasm, ho leads them in prayer, and points with unerring distinctness to the snares and pitfalls of the path ones trodden by fcis own youthful feet, and wi.h glowing z-al, invites them to a fairer road, where blossom the flowers of purity and holine'3, conducting the tired wayfarer to vha refreshing haunts of wisdom, ‘ whose ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her natbs are pea-e.’