Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-05-01
@ UNCLE JOSH.
- A New England story.
lCONCLUDED.l

her of late found the two when she came in
Josh had changed since his mother died, for
the moment Mrs. Casey lifted his wife from his
arm, and laid her patient, peaceful face back
on its pillow Josh flung himself down beside
her, and cried with the passion and careless
ness of a child. Nobody could rouse him, no.
body could move him, till Parson Pitcher came
in, and, taking his hand, raised and led him
into the keeping room. There Josh brushed
of the mist before his drenched eyes with the
back Of his rough hand, and looked straight at
ParsOn Pitcher
"Oh Lord she's dead" said he, as if he
alone of all the world knew it,
Yes, my son. she is dead" solemnly replied
the Parson; tits the will # God, and you must
CONSENT
- can't. L can't. L ant a goin' to-"
sobbed Josh "'ta'n't no use talkin', if I'd
only xpected sOmethin', it's that - doctor
Oh Lord I've swOre, and Miss Eunice is dead
oh gracious goody. what be a goin' TO do oh
dear oh dear, oh Mss Eunicei''
Parson Pitcher could not even smile-the
poor fellows grief was too deep. What could
he think Of p console him. but that deepest
comfort to the bereaved her better state. MY
dear friend, be comforted. Eunice is with the
blessed in heaven ="
&" know ii | know IL she alters was nigh
about fit to get there without dyin'. Oh Lordy
shes gone TO heaven and ha'n't,'
NO-there was no consoling Uncle Josh that
touch of nature showed it, lie was alone, and
refused To be cOmfOrted; so Parson Pitcher
made fervent prayer for the living, that un-
awares merged into a Thanksgiving for the
dead, and went his way, scrrowfully convicted
that his holy office had in it no supernatural
power or aid. that some things are too deep
and too mighty for man.
JOshs grief raved itself into wornout deiec-
tion. still too poignant to bear the geutlest
touch; his grOans and cries were heart break
Ing at the funeral, and it seemed as if he would
really die with agony, while the despairing
wretchedness of the funeral hymn, the wailing
ca1ences of China" poured round the dusty
and cObwebbed meeting house to which they
carried his wife in her coffin one sultry August
sunday, to utter prayers and hymns above her
who now needed no prayer, and heard the
hymns of heaven
After this. Josh retired to his own house,
and, according to Mrs. Casey's story, neither
slept nor ate; but this was somewhat apOcry-
phsl. and three days after the funeral Parson
Pitcher, betaking himself to the Crane farm,
found Uncle Josh whiting out set Of clothes
pegs on his d"or-step, but looking very down
cast and miserable.
= Good morning, Mr.. Crane said the good
divine
Mornin, Parson Pitcher hey' a cheer ,"
The ParsOn sat down on the bench of the
stoOp, and wistfully surveyed Josh, wondering
how best to introduce the subject of his loss
but the refractory widOwer gave no sign, and
at length the Parson spoke
- hope you begin to be resigned to the will
OF Providence, my dear Mr.. Crane"
- No l don't speck ~ honestly retorted
Josh.
ParsOn Pitcher was shocked
-, hoped to find you in a better frame,''
said he.
Il can't help - exclaimed Josh, finginc
down a finished peg emphatically Il amt
resigned want Miss Eunice, L ant will
IN to have her dead, L can't and | amt, and
that's the hull ont and Id n - sight ruth
er-oh gOOdy I've sworn agin Lord-a-mas-
sy n she ant here to look at me when do
and IN gOin' straight to the d. Oh land
there IT goes, oh dear soul, can't feller help
himself nOhow p
And with that Josh burst into q passion of
tears, and fed past Parson Pitcher into the
barn, from whence he emerged no more till
the ministers steps were heard crunching on
the gravel path toward the gate, when Josh,
persistent as Galilco, thrust his head ont of the
barn window, and repeated in louder and
more strenuous key, .. [ amt willin', Parson
Pitcher -, leaving the PsTson in a dubious
state of mind, on which he ruminated for some
weeks. finally concluding to leave Josh alone
with bis Bible, until time should blunt the
Keen edge Of his pain and reduce him to rea-
SON and he noticed with great satisfaction
that Josh came regularly to church aud con-
ference meetings, and at length resumed his
work with due amount Of cOmposure.
There was in the village Of Plainfeld a GER
tain Miss Ranney, daughter If the aforesaid
Mrs Ranney, the greatest vixen in those parts
and of course an old maid. Her temper and
tongue had kept off suitOrs in her youth and
had IN nOwlse sOttened since. Her name was
sarah, famIllarized into Sally, and as she
grew up to middle age, that pleasant, kindly
title being sadly out of keeping with her na-
ture- everybody called hec Sail. Ran, and the
third generation scarce knew she had another
name.
Any uprOar in the will igs always began with
Sall Ran and woe be TO the unlucky boy who
pilfered an apple under the oyerhanging trees
81 MIS- Ranney orchard by the road, or tilted
the well-sweep Of her stony -curbed well to cet
drHk; Sail was down upon the offender like
hail-stOrm, and cuffs an shricks mingled in
wild chorus with her shrill scoding. to tho awe
snt consternatiOn Of every child within half
mI9e
Judge. then, Of Pdrson Pitchers amazement.
when, little more than year after Hiss Eu-
NICE death, Josh was ushered into his study
ono evening, and after stroking n new stove
pipe bat Tor n long time, at length said that he
hid come to speak about beIn' published. "
The ParsOn drew a long breath partly for the
mutabiIity of man, partly of pure wonder.
'' hO are you going to marry, Mr. Crane %
saId he, after a pause another man might
have softened the style Of his wife to be-not
Josh
Sail Ran, said he, undauntedly. Parson
Pitcher arose from his chair, and with both
hands IN his pockets advanced upon Josh like
horse and foot together; but he stood his
ground.
What in the name of common sense and
dseency, do you mean by marrying that wO-
man, Joshu-way Crane % thundered the Par
son.
Well, ef you II set down Parson Pitcher,
u We the rights ont you SEQ I'm dreadful
Pestered with this here swcarin' way I've got;
kinder thought il would wear of If Miss Eu-
nice KEEP looking at me, but she's died, - here
Josh interpolatcd great blubberng sob
And I'm gettIn' so d bad there, YOU
see, PaTson, doc swear dreadful; and amt
10 more resigned TO her dyin' then used ter
be. and | can I stan il, 80 L set to fggern' on
/; out, anil / guess I've lived too easy, han
had enough 1ictiOns and trials; 50 1 concluded
/ hei oughter put myself to the wind ard Of
some squalls SO s to learn navigation, aud /
couldn't tell how. till suddenly brought to
mind Sail Ran, Hho is the d and all, oh