Washington telegraph., 1855-07-11
She Changed her Hind.

There are some persons who are never
sick without thinking themselves very much
worse off than they really are Of this
class was Mrs. Haskins, young married Ia
dy and the mother of two fine boys On
one occasion. being visited with fever. the
consequence of imprudent exposure. she
gave herself up to the melancholy fancies
which usually assailed her, and persuaded
herself that she was going to die.
In consequence of this melancholy pre-
sentiment, she assumed so woe begone an
appearance that even her medical attendant
was startled into believing that she was re-
ally much worse than from her symptoms
be had judged her to be.
Under these circumstances he advised
her to make what earthly preparations she
/ had vet to make, while there was time yet
to do so.
+ Mrs Haskins was an afectionate mother,
and the thought Of parting from the chill
dren to whom she was so warmly attached
at time when. more than any other, they
needed her care, was peculiarly distress
ing.
Their father will be kind to them, no
doubt, and see that they are amply provided
for. but nothing that he can Go. will supply
to them the loss Of mother
Gradually the idea of step mother sug-
gested itself to the lady's imagination, and
such vas her care for the happines of her
children, that she become reconcled to an
idea so repugnant to most wives, and actr-
ally began to consider who among her ac-
quaintances was best fitted to become a Sec
oud Mrs Haskins
At length her choice fell upon a Miss
Parker, an intimate friend of her own
Feeling anxious to have this matter satisfac-
torily settled, she dispatched messenger
post haste for Miss Parker. who, after brief
interval, made her appearance at her friends
bedside.
My dear friend.' said Mrs Haskins in
feeble voice-"I have sent for you for
what perhaps you will consider singular
reason. But. believe me, it is a mothers
anxiety for her children that prompts me-
am very sick, and shall not live long
So the doctor tells me- and my own feelings
tell me that it must be so. The situation
in which shall leave my poor boys. who
will thus be deprived of mothers watch
full care. distresses me beyond measure
There is only one way in which my ankle
;y car be relieved, aud this it is which has
prompted me 20 send for you. Promise me
that when am gone you viii marry Mr..
Haskins, and be to them second mother,
Do not refuse me; it is my last request :"
Being DESTROYS of comforting her friend.
Miss Parker assented to her request, adj
ding
Il will comply with your request, and
the more willingly, for | always liked Mr.
Haskins'
"Aimays liked M HaSkins 80 ex-
claimed his dying wife, raising on her ell
bow. her feelings of coniugal jealousy for q
moment overpowering her maternal afec
ton ''you always liked my husbond, did
ynn. Then [ VOW you shall never marry
! him, if | have to live to prevent it,
And Mrs Haskins did live. The revul-
sion Of feeling resulting from Miss parker's
| unexpected declaration. accomplished, in her
case. what the skill of physicians had been
unable to effect.
There is an old saying. which, like most
old sayings. has in it not little truth that
when woman wills. she will. depend ont,
and when she won't. she won't, and there 5
an end ont. So it was in the case of Mrs
Haskins. She has determined that if ever
J, Mr.. FL. does have second wife. it shall not
/ be Miss Parker