MY HERO.

Otago Witness, Issue 2663, 29 March 1905, Page 66

MY HERO.

By E. Gladys Harvey.

I call him my hero, although he wears no dazzle of gold lacs nor gleam of bright unifoim. In his pathway there is no strain of stirring music to lighten his step — no plaudits from a mighty throng to gladden his heart. To-day he is fighting along through life, silent and alone. The foes of youth have gathered around him with force and strength, but he has conquered them, one by one. He has .stepped forward and proved himself a victor, without battle trophy or clash of steel. And to-night, from the shadows of thought, old memories come with their subtle charm, and all the olden past is woven into a fanciful chain. Through its strange glamour visions of a long-gone time rise before me. I see my baby son carried to the nrystic portals ; but the Great Father heard my heart's cry of agony ; and He bade His angels draw back and leave my child a little longer in my keeping. And' the child is a child no more. He has trod the path that men must tread. He is fighting the battle of life with true heart and strong arm.

Xoblebse oblige. Th© old phrase may mean little to most of us, but it has its significance to one, my son. As the knights of old bore their crest on banner and shield, so my best beloved carries his ; but not on his headpiece or stamped upon has mail. Hidden from the eyes of the world, he carries* his mother's ancestral tree with him. iSid he does it not that he may proudly and arrogantly say, " Give me welcome, for by right of birth I claim, it." No ; but that, when trials assail him and temptations stand before him, he may say, "1 cannot belie my ancient blood nor stain n,y pedigree. I shall put no sinister bar on my mother's guarterings.'*-

T give i)-y faith and honour into my son's keeping, and know that il is safe.

Wii' 11 men applauded thovsc who, parading vi khaki, have received Australia's outspoken thanks, I iind myself asking the question. Which, among them all, was braver than the lad who, "thirsting for the blindfold game of war." physicaUy a soldier, arc! mentally a loader of men, tore Lis commi-^icm in bLreds v. hen he found Low much it Bieant to a sick mother. There was a night .-,t mental struggle — a ni^hfc when ambition wrestled with love, andi love conquered. A pale-faced lad came forth in the morning with his dream of glory shattered and his heart's desire quenched. He look me in his arms, quietened, a.s it some great force had spent his strength, nnd in my own great joy I grieved for his disappointed hopes and bioken day-dreams.

And now I am bidding him farewell £or a space. To-day I see him la.unched on life's troubled waters, to be drawn hither by strong currents and driven thence by f lrony winds. I pray God guard and guide him to a peaceful haven. May his mother's love bs a beacon light to beckon him onward and upward, until, when our life's woik is over, we twain may meat in the Oi-eat JJpyoisd. God gave my dear one to me, and so I leave him in His keeping.