Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1855-09-28

y
pow TO help him break up an old
moving field. Ills neighbor could on.
" help him that day, and he was very
anxious to pillow the whole field. He
accordingly had left the children and
nurse in the house. with strict charges
to take good charge OF their mother.
Mr.. Woodsum was driving the team.
and his neighbor was holding the
plow, and things went on to their
mind ill about ten O'Clock in the fore
noon, when little Harriet came run
ming TO the field, and told her father
that her mother was dreadful sick.
aud wanted him to come in as quick as
he could. for she was certainly dying
now.
Mr.. Woodsum without saying a
word. drove his team TO the end OF the
furrow; but he looked thoughtful and
perplexed. Although he felt persuad-
ed that her danger was imaginary, as
il had always provedto be before, still
the possibility that the sickness might
be unto death, pressed upon HIM with
such power, that he laid down his
goadstick. and telling his neighbor TO
let the cattle breathe awhile, walked
deliberately towards the house. Be-
fore he had accomplished the whole
distance however. his Imagination had
added such wings to his speed. that he
found himself moving at quick run.
He entered the house, and found
wife as he had so often found his
her before, in her own estimation, al
most ready to breathe her last. Her
voice was faint and low. and her pill
low was wet with tears. She had al
ready taken leave of her dear children,
and waited only to exchange few
departing words with her dear hus.
band. Mr.. Woodsum approached
the bedside and took her hand tender
ly. as he had ever been won't to do,
but he could not perceive any symp-
tons Of approaching dissolution, differ.
ent from what he had Witnessed on
former occasions.
Now my dear. said Mrs. Woodsum,
family, the time has come at last
| feel that | am on my death bed,
and have but "A short time longer to
stay with you. But hope we shall
feel resigned to the will OF Heaven
] would 20 cheerfully. dear. il ii was
not for my anxiety about you and the
children. Now. don'tyou think my
dear, il would be best for you to be
married again TO some kind, good wo'
mar, that would be mother TO oui
dear little ones, and make your hsme
pleasant for all ofyou.'
well. I've sometimes thought o.
late, it might be best. said MIR. Wood
sum; with very solemn air.
Then you have been thinking
about it, said Mrs. Woodsum. with !
slight contraction Of the muscles Of III,
face.
why. yes.' said Mr.. Woodsum, i
have sometimes thought about il
since you've had spells OF being $,
very sick. II makes me feel dread
fully to think of il. but l don't know
but what il might be my duty
We'll, do think il would sale
Mrs. Woodsum. If you only get IN,
right kind OF n person. Everything
depends upon that. my dear. and
hope you will bc very particular abou
whom you get. very.
'Iccrtaiply shall said Mr.. Wood
sum; don't give yourself any uneasi
ness about that. my dear, for | assure
you l shall be very particular. Tn
person I nhall probably have is one o
the kndest and best tempered womeI
in the world.
But have you been thinking of am
one in particular, my dear?' said Mrs
Woodsum, with manifest look OF un
easiness.
why. yes. said Mr.. Woodsum
there is one tha, have thought 20
some time pastl should marry. il |
should please Providence to take yo'
from US
And pray. Mr.. Woodsum, VIII,
can IL be?' said the wife, with an ex
preston more OF earth than heaven
returning TO her eyes. Who is il, Mr.
Woodsum? You hay'nt namedi it 4
her have your
oh. by no means. said Mr.. Wood
sum; but my dear, we had bette
drop the subject; il agitaies you 10
much
But Mr.. Woodsum. you must tel
me who II is; never can die in peac
ill you do
IL is u subject too painful to thinl
about said Seth, aud IL don't appca
TO me that il would be best TO caI
names |
, But | insist upon IT, said Mr.,
! Woodsunl. who had by this time rails
ed herself up with great earnestnes
/. and was leaning on her elbow. Will
. her searching glance was reading ey
!. " Wu@ett w 'ttb tttts MI w pou
sum. insist upon IT, b
a We'll. then. said Mr.. Woodsum
; with n sigh. 'ifyou insist upon II M
4 dear. have thought ifit should be III
, will Of Providence to take you from n.
to be here no more. have thought
Q should marry for my second wife. Han
. nahLovejoy.'
/ An earthly fire once more ilashe
from Mrs. Woodsum's eyes--she lear
cd from the bed hike eat. wake
4 across the room, and seated herself /
!. chair.
i What she exclaimed in a trem
bling voice. almost choked with agiu
: tion-'whatl marry that idle. sleep
d slut off, Hannah Loyejoyl Mr.. WOOD
sum, that is too much Tor flesh IN
n blood to bear-l cant endure tha
/, nor | won't. Hannah Lovejoy to
|. the mother ofmy children No that
" what she never shall. So you may .
} 10 youl plowing, Mr.. Woodsum. an
set your heart at rest.-'Susan,' II
continued, make up more fire und,
that dinner-pot.'
Isl Mr.. Woodsum went to the field m
M pursued his work, and when be r