True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-11-14
SHE CHANGED HER MIND.


sick without thinking themselves very
much worse off than they really are. Of
this class was Mrs. Haskins, a young
married lady, and the mother of Two fine
boys. On one occasion, being visited by
a fever, the consequence ofimprudent ex-
posure, she gave herself up to the melan-
choly fancies which usually assailed her
and persuaded herself that she was going
10 die.
In consequence of this melancholy
preseniment, she assumed so woe-begone
an appearance thet even her medical at
tendant was startled into believing that
she was much worse than from her symp-
toms he had Judged her to be.
Under these circumstances he advised
her to make what earthIy y preparations
she had yet to make, while she had yet
time to do so.
Mrs. Haskins was an afTectionate moth
err and the thought of parting from the
children TO whom she was so warmly at
tached, at time when, more than any
other, they needed mothers care, was
peculiarly distressing.
Their father will be kind to them, no
doubt, and see that they are amply pro-
vded for, but nothing he can do will
supply to them the loss ola mother"
Gradually the idea of step mother
suggested itselfto the lady's imagination,
and such was her care for the happiness
Of her children that she became reconcil
ed to an idea so repugnant to most wives
and actually began to consider who, among
her acquainances, was best fitted 10 be-
come second Mrs. Haskins.
At length her choice fell upon Mis-:
Parker, an intimate friend of her own.
Feeling anxious TO have this matter set
tied, she dispatched messenger post.
haste for Miss Parker, who after blieI
interval made her appearance at her friends
bedside.
MY dear friend, said Mrs. Haskins
in fee Bile voice, i have sent for you fol
what perhaps you will consider a singu'
lar reason. But, believe me, it is moth
} er's anxiety that prompts me. am very
, sick and cannot live long. So the doctor
: tells me, and my own feelings tell me
that it must be so, The situation il
which | shall leave my poor boys, who
will thus be deprived of a mothers watch
full care, distresses me beyond measure
There is only one way in which my an
xiely can be relieved, and this it is which
has prompted me to send for you. Prom
, ise me when | am gone you will MARI,
; Mr. Haskins; and be to them secont
mother. Do you refuse me !; it is my las
s request' '."
DESTROYS of comforting her friend, Mis-
Parker assented to her request, adding:
Il will comply with your request, an
j more willingly, for l always liked MI
t Haskihs.' ~ ~ ,a
S ALWAYS liked Mr. Haskms!" exclaim
ed his dying wife, raising herself OH he
; elbow, her feeling of conjugal jealous.
for moment overpowering maternal afi
e ection you always liked my husband di
S you? Then, vow you shall never mai
: ry him if have to live to prevent it,
And Mrs. Haskins did live. The IT
vulsionl OF feeling resulting from Mis-
O Parker's unexpected declaration accom-
plshed in her case what the skill ofphys
/; icans had been unable to effect.
There is an old saying, which, lik
most old sayings, has in it not littl
truth; that when woman wills, she will
depend ont, and when she won't, sh
\, WON'T, and there's an end on it. So
! was in the case of Mrs, Haskins. Sh
,. was determined that if Mr.. Haskins eve
o does have second wife, it shall not /
Miss Parker. "a 'aoa a7 r..J
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