Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-07-10
SHE CHANGED HER MIND.

there are some persons who are never sick
without thinking themselves very much worse
off than they really arc. or this class was
Mrs. Hoskins, young married lady, 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 goin,
10 die.
In consequence Of this melancholy present.
ment she assumed so woe-begone an appear
ance that even her medical attendant was
startled into believing that che was really
much worse, from her symptoms than he hal
Judged her 70 be.
Under these circumstances he advised her
to make what earthly preparation she had yet
TO make, while there was time To do 50.
Mrs. HOskins was an afectionate mother,
and the thought Of parting from her children,
to whom she was so warmly attached, at a
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 provided
for, but nothing that he can do will supply 10
them the loss of a mother"
Gradually the idea Of q stepmother sug-
gested itself to the lady's imagination, and
such was her care for the happiness Of her
children that she became reconciled TO an idea
so repugnant to most wives, and actually be-
was best fitted 70 become q second Mrs. Hos
nns.
At length her choice fell upon Miss Par
ker, an intimate friend Of her own Feoling
anxious 10 have this matter satisfactorily set,
tied, she dispatched a messenger, post-haste,
for Miss Parker, who, after a brief interval,
made her appearance at her friends bedside
my dear friend" said Mrs. Hoskins, in a
feeble voice, =" have sent for you for what,
perhaps you will consider slight reason. But
believe me, 1t 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 Ii must be 50.
The situation in which I shall leave nv poor
! boys, who will thus be deprived Of a mother s
watchfui care, distrcsses me beyond measure.
There is only way in which my anxiety can
be relieved, and this il is which has prompted
me to send for you. Promise me that when
am gone you will marry Mr.. HOskins, and be
TO them a second mother. Do not refuse me;
\ it is my last request"
DESTROYS of comforting her friend, Miss Par
ker assented to her request, adding:
81 will comply with your request, and the
more willingly, for L always liked Mr.. Hos
| kins."
Always liked Mr.. Hoskins!' exclaimed
his dying wife, raising herself on her elbow
her feelings Of con nju yai Jealousy for a moment
overpowering maternal affection, ''you always
liked my husband, did you, Then l vow you
shall never marry him, if have 10 live to pre-
| vent il.
| And Mrs. Hoskins did live. The rcvulsion
of feeling resulting from Miss Parker's unex-
pected 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
! a woman wills, she will depend ont; and
1 Uhan Chn h. .k a
| ont" So il was in the case Of Mrs Hoskins.
She was determined that if Mr. Hoskins ever
does have q second wife, it shall not be Miss
Parker.