Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1860-02-29

| Ia the fsSenoon, when little Harriet came run
ming to. the field, and told her father that he
mother was dreadful SICK and wanted hin
| to come as quick as he could for she was GER
taiDly dying now. Mr. Woodsum witbou
saying word, drove the team to the end O.
the furrow; but he looked thoughtful and per.
| picked. Although he felt persuaded that the
danger was imaginary, as it had always proved
before, stfl the idea of the bare possibility
that this sickness might be unto death, pres
sed upon bin with such power, that he laid
down sSsoae stick, ami telling his neis hbor
I 70 let tie cattle bresthe awhile, walked de-
liberately towards the house. Before he had
accomplished the whole distance, however.
his own Imagination had added such wings
/ to his speed tnat he found himself moving at
quick ran. He entered the house and found
! his wife as he had so often found her before.
/ in her own estimation almost ready to breathe
| her last. Her voice was faint and low. and
her pillow was wet with tears She had al
ready taken leave of her dear children, aud
| only waited 20 exchange few words with
her beloved husband. Mr.. Woodsum ap-
preached her bedside and took her hand ten
derly as he had ever been wont to do. but he
could not perceive any symptoms Of approach
ing dissolution, different from what he had
witnessed on dozen former occasions.
Nov my dear" said Mrs Woodsum,
family, the time has come at last l feel
that am on my death bed. and have but
short time to stay with you. But hope we
shall feel res igned to the will of heaven I
would go cheerfully, dear, if it was not for
my anxiety about you and the children. Now
don't you think my dear she continued with
Increasing tenderness, don tyou think it would
bn-h hest for to h.. Il
kind, good woman, that would be mother to
our dear little ones, and make your home
pleasant to all of your
She paused and looked earnestly in his face
''Well, I've sometimes thought of late, it
might be BEST" said Mr.. Woodsnm, with
very solemn air.
Then you have been thinking about it?'
said Mrs. Woodsum, with slight contraction
of the muscles of the face.
Why, yes, said Mr. Hoodsum, II have
sometime thought about it since you have had
spells of being very sick. 1t makes me fell
dreadtully to think of il, 1 don't know but il
might be my duty"
..Well l do think It would sad Mrs
Woodsun, '-If you can get the right sort of
person. Everything depends upon that my
dear, and hope you will be very particular
about whom you get, very"
Il certainly shall,' said Mr.. WoodslIm;
don't you give yourself any uneasiness about !
that, my dear, for assure you l shall be
very particular. The person shall probably
have is'one of the kindest and best tempered
women IN the word"
''But have You been thinking of any one
In particular, my dear?" said Mrs Woodsum,
with manifest look of uneasiness.
''WhY. yes, said Mr. Woodsum, ''there |
is one [ have thought for some time past | 1
should probably, marry, if it should be tue |
will of Heaven to take yon from u.s.
.'An6 pray, Mr.. Woodsum who can it be?" /
said the wife, with an expression more of /
earth than heaven, returning to her eyes, /
''Who is it, Mrs. Woodsum? You haven't |
mentioned it to ber. have you?"
''Oh, no, by no means,' said Mr. Wood
sum; but, my dear, we had better drop the
subject; 1t agitates you too much"
But, Mr. Woodsum, you must tell me
who 1t is. | never could die in peace until
you do
t'It is a subject too painful to think about,
and 1t don't appear to me that 1t would be
best to call names," said Mr. Woodsum.
''But insist upon it" said Mrs Wood
SUN, who had by this time raised herself up
with great earnestness. and was leaning on
her elbow. while her searching glance was
reading every muscle in her husban's face,
Mr.. Woodsum, insist upon it,"
s'Well," said Mr. Woodsum with a sigh,
IF you insist upon it, my dear, l have thought
hat should it be the will of Providence to
emove you from US, to be here no more, l
iave thought would marry for my second
wife, Hannah Lovejoy."
An early FIRE once more flashed from Mrs.
Eoodsun,s eyes-she leaped from the bed
Ike cat, walked across the room and seated
lersef in chair.
"What?'' she exclaimed in trembling
oice, almost choked by agitation -"what.
marry that idle, sleepy slut of a Hannah
.ovejoy, Mr. Woodsum that is too much for
esh and blood to bear. l can't endure that,
nd [ won't. Hannah Loyejoy to be the
mother of my children: No, that's what the
ever shall, So you may 60 to your plowiDg.
Ir. WooGsum. and set your heart at rest.
usan." she continued, ..make up more fire
nder that dinner pot" /,
Mr. Woodsun went to the field and pur-
1ed his work, aud when he returned at noon,
,und dinner well prepared and bis wife ready
do the honors of the table. ,
Mrs. Woodsum's health from that day con-
nued TO improve, and she was never after
ards visited with the terrible afliction of
ypochondria.
Make way for a bludependent voter" t
ans. '.Why, my good man." said the O
lerk, '.it is not an hour since you deposited /
'ur vote at this very poll. Il know It," :