A JOYFUL SURPRISE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1598, 15 August 1916, Page 3

A JOYFUL SURPRISE.

WHEN THE llt SON CAME LACK,

There was something very touching in the deep and obviously hear! - belt thankfulness shown by an elderly couple in welcoming back their son, who arrived at Port Chalmers by the Xavua on Tuesday owning. The mother’s affection evidently centred upon her son in a very genuine manner, and this found expression in her naive assumption that everyone should be aware that the returning soldier lad was “Sydney, the baby of the family.” By some unfortunate meaus, the old eorqffe had been informed that their son was coming back to them bereft of his sight as well as his hearing, and there was, therefore, something apprehensive in the eagerness of their expectancy. The mother was much more courageous of the two, and, difficult though she found it to maintain her spirits, she was not unmindful of her husband, who was visibly affected, and she was observed to give him several kindly nudges, with the remark; “We must be cheerful, dad, for the boy’s sake.” The old lady was no whit downcast when she discovered that she could not got past the harrier, and her high-souled thankfulness was linely exemplified when she remarked, “I did not expect, to get on hoard to-night, hut we will ho quite satisfied it we can only sec the boy. Wc are very lucky to have oar son coming back to us, while plenty of mothers will never see their boys again.” Good news, however, was in store for the old couple, and a kindly medical man brought hack the information that their son was not blind, hut his hearing was partly affected. Later in the evening the young soldier came flown to the bows of the ship, and then, and not till then, did Ids mother break down. The words,“ Thank God,” came from the depths of her heart, and in response to her son’s inquiry if she was able to recognise him she replied, “Yes, I would know you amongst a thousand.”