The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1855-07-25
She Changed her Mind.

Sne Changed her Mind.
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, a young mar
ried lady, and the mother Of two fine boys
On one occasion, being visited by fe-
yer, the consequence of imprudent expo.
sure, she gave herself up to the melan-
choly fancies which usually assaied 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 at
tendant was startled in believing that she
was really much worse than from her
symptoms he had judged her to be.
Under these circumstances he advised
her to make what earthly preparations
she had yet to make, while there was vet
time to do so.
Mrs. Haskins was an affectionate moth
er, and the thought Of parting from the
children to whom she was so warmly
attached, at a time when, moro 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-
vided for, but nothing that he can do
will supply to them the loss of mother"
Gradually the idea Of step,mother
suggested itself to the lady's imagination,
| and such was her care for the happiness
to an idea SO repugnant to most wives,
and actually began to consider who
among her acquaintances was best fitted
to become second Mrs. Haskins.
At length her choice fell upon Miss
Parker, an intimate friend of her own.
Feeling anxious to have this matter salts.
factorily settled, she dispatched messer-
ger 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, "I have sent for You for
what perhaps you will considera singular
reason. But, believe mo, it is mothers
anxiety for her children that promts me.
/ am very sick, and shall not live long.
So the doctor tells me, and my own feel
ings tells me that it must be SO. Tho
situation in which / shall leave my poor
boys, who will thus be deprived of a
mothers watchful care, dstresses me be-
yond 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
l am gone you will marry Mr.. Haskins,
and be to them second mother. Do
not refuse me; it is my last request"
Desirous of comforting her friend, Miss
Parker assented to her request, adding
81 will comply with your request, and
the more willingly, for l always liked Mr..
Haskins." 1sNe
"At'coys liked Mr.. Haskiasr' ex-
claimed his dying wife, raising herself
on her elbow, her feelings Of conjugal.
jealousy for moment overpowering
maternal affection, "you always liked
my husband, did youl Then VOW you
shall never marry him il have to liveto
prevent it,"
And Mrs. Haskins did live. The
revulsion of feeling resulting from Miss.
Parker's unexpected declaration accom-
plished 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 a little
truth; that when woman wills, she win,
depend on't--and when she won't she,
won't and there's an end ont. So i
was in the case Of Mrs. Haslxins. She
was determined, that IL Mr.. Haskips ever
does have second wife, It shall not be
Miss Parker. 5