It was some time before I left the church-yard. On my way homeward I
met with the woman who had acted as comforter: she was just
returning from accompanying the mother to her lonely habitation, and I
drew from her some particulars connected with the affecting scene I
had witnessed.
The parents of the deceased had resided in the village from
childhood. They had inhabited one of the neatest cottages, and by
various rural occupations, and the assistance of a small garden, had
supported themselves creditably and comfortably, and led a happy and a
blameless life. They had one son, who had grown up to be the staff and
pride of their age.- "Oh, sir!" said the good woman, "he was such a
comely lad, so sweet-tempered, so kind to every one around him, so
dutiful to his parents! It did one's heart good to see him of a
Sunday, dressed out in his best, so tall, so straight, so cheery,
supporting his old mother to church- for she was always fonder of
leaning on George's arm, than on her good man's; and, poor soul, she
might well be proud of him, for a finer lad there was not in the
country round."
Unfortunately, the son was tempted, during a year of scarcity and
agricultural hardship, to enter into the service of one of the small
craft that plied on a neighboring river. He had not been long in
this employ when he was entrapped by a press-gang, and carried off
to sea.
Pages:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12