Kansas weekly herald., 1855-06-08
She Changed he,. .yzts,d.

sick without thinking themselves very much
worse off than they really are. Of this class
was Mrs. Haskins, young married lady,
and the mother of two fine boys. On one
occasion, being visited with a fever, the
gave herself up to the melancholy fancies
which usually assailed her. and persuaded
herself that she was going to die.
In consequence of tnis melancholy pre-
sentiment she assumed so woe begone an
appearance that even her medical attendant
was startled into believing that she was
really much worse than from her symptoms
he had judged her to be.
Under thse circumstances he advised her
to make what earthly preparations she had
yet to make while there was time to do so.
Mrs. Haskins was an affectionate mother,
and the thought of parting from the children
to whom she was so warmly attached at
time when, more than any other, they need
ed mothers care, was peculiarly distres.
sing.
''Their father will be kind to them, no
doubt, and see that they gre amply provided
for, but nothing that he can do will supply
to them the loss of MOTHER
Gradually the idea of a step-mother sug-
gested itself to the lady's immagination, and
such was her care for the happiness of her
children that she became reconciled to an
idea so repugnat to most wives, and actually
began to consider who among her acquaint-
ances was best fitted to become a second
Mrs. Haskins.
At length her choice fell upon Miss
Parker IAN intimate friend other own. Feel
ing anxious to have this matter satisfactorily
settled, she despatched a messenger post.
haste for Miss. Parker, who, after a brief
interval, made her appearance at her friends
bedside.
"My dear friend" said Mrs. Haskins.
IN feeble voice. have sent for you for what
perhaps you will consider singular reason.
But, believe me, it is 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 I shall leave
my poor boys, who will thus be deprived of
of a mothers care, distrsses me beyond
measure. There is only one way in which
my anxiety can be relieved, and this it is
which has prompted me to send for you.
Promise me that when am gone you will
marry Mr.. Haskins, and be to them sec
ond mother. Do not refuse me; it is my
last request.
DESTROYS of comforting her friend, Miss
Parker assented to her request, adding:
81 will comply with your request and the
more willingly, for I always liked Mr..
Haskins"
's.9i,cays liked Mr.. Hasktns!" exclaimed
his dying wife, raising herself on her elbow,
her feelings of conjugal jealousy for a mo-
ment overpowering her maternal affection;
''you always liked my husband, did you?
Then VOW you never shall marry him, il
I have to live to prevent it"
And Mrs. Haskins did live The revul-
sion of feeling resulting from Miss Par
ker'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 little truth, that when
woman viii, , she will, depend ont; and when
she won't, she wont, and there's an end ont.
So it was in the case of Mrs. Haskins. She
has determined that if Mr.. Haskins ever
does have second wife it shall not be Mrs.
Parker.
Nor BAD.-The appended negro story,
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