Part 41 (1/2)
”Then he is dead!”
”No; he is alive and well.”
”Heaven bless you for the news!” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed the poor woman.
It was indeed a day of gladness to her.
”He is coming home soon.”
”I am glad to hear it. Where has he been?”
”He has been at the mines.”
”I haven't heard a word from him since he first reached San Francisco.”
”He has written several times; but the means of communication with San Francisco and the diggings were very uncertain. I suppose his letters miscarried.”
”But tell me about him. Has his health been good?”
”Very good; and he has been remarkably lucky. Folks say he has made over a hundred thousand dollars digging and trading.”
”Indeed! I am so glad!”
”I suppose you don't remember me, do you?” asked the stranger.
The widow looked at him sharply.
”You have got such a sight of hair on your face, that I declare I do not,” said the widow, laughing.
”You don't?”
The gentleman spoke these words in a different tone of voice--so different that the widow started back in astonishment.
”Have I altered so much, mother?”
”George! O George!” exclaimed the widow, as she folded her lost son in her arms.
They both wept in each other's embrace.
”Heaven be praised, you have returned!” cried the widow.
”And my father is dead?” said George Weston sadly.
”Yes, George, you have no father now.”
The young man trembled with emotion.
”I had hoped to smooth the last years of his life; but G.o.d's will be done.”
”Amen!” said the widow solemnly, as she wiped her eyes.