The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1860-03-24
THE DAY BOOK.
SATURDAY EVENING, MARCH "a.
DjSCOnsOISte.

droary and billy road that ever mortal
travelled, | came in sight Of awhat | sup
posed to be the widows house. 1t was
/. low cabin at the foot of hill, with
tremendous oak in front of it. l saw
omcbody sitting under the tree, and, as
! approached nearer, [ discovered that it
was a woman, with her face buried in her
lands, and weeping violently. AS soon
us | reached the spot, ] addressed her
yomcwhat in the following manner
Il do not wish to be pertinent, mad
am, but feel some concern to know
what is the matter with you?"
con! boo-hoo-ee! uoo-oo-hoo-bool'
''Alv dear madam, what is the mat
t,r?' | demanded, becoming really con-
ycrnod at the manner in which she was
4cDing. She kept up her agony Of distress
hiic 4 gronp of six or seven children
hcoan to come from The neighboring
bushes and gather close around her.
Madam" cried, in the name Of all
joal good, tell me what ais you'
oh, stranger, "she exclaimed, raising
Ter eyes, boodshot with weeping, ''my--
hoo Observation-Disclosures is boo-hoo
-,jcad!" and she again rclapsed into her
lit of weeping. was truely affected by
the poor woman's distress, aud, though
poor sinner myself l could not refrain
from Offering her some consolation.
"My dear madam, do not give up 10
distress. Heaven has promised 10 be a
husband to the widow and a father to the
Iathrilcss Cheer up my good woman;
jhr clouds may be dark, but the sun will
-ycntually dissipatc it. You may have
tnIabor hard loryour children, but Hear-
On will aid you!"
THAT arn't uothin', stranger" eX-
claimed the woman, ''as fur the children,
haven but seventeen, an make sup
port fur them easy enough. Heaven
mout be my husband, an has no doubt
he'd make mighty good husband; but
want q sure nuf husband, a real live
one like my poor John was aiore he
died. Poor John-poor John! Oh, mel
hoo---hoo--ee-eew
iFhen had listened to this speech,
there was something SO absolutely and
purely original in its ridiculous IDEAS
that could not help laughing at the
monner, As soon as possible | recover
ed myself and changed my tactics.
,'Well, ma'am," said, if that's all,
lontg give yourself any treuble. There
are plenty Of men in the world; surely
yon can get another husband"
"a muot get another husband, stanger,
but. OH couldn't find nary mother like
Johnl-poor Johnl oh, me! boo-hoo-eel"
gN bnt Ilnrn III
him, ma am! If he was uncommonly like
ly, there are plenty Of handsome men left
in the world. Ifhe was an extraordinary
strong man, I know OF some giants in
strength. Was he good, and kind, and
GENTLE, there are such still left on Garth?
Was he man of extraordinary intellect,
wisdom Or genius. depend upon it, there
are others equal to him? Depend upon it,
That no matter what extra gift he may
have possessed, with patience and dill
9ence you may find another to smooth
the rough way Of life for you, and fill that
vacancy which distresses You So"
ooh, Stranger" returned the woman,
Il know it's your kind heartedness what
makes you speak so, but faint worth
while; John wasn't nothin' extraordinary
in mono o them things rs you speak
of. But still never, no nver [ know |
never kin find the likes Of John again on
yuthl oh, John! poor John poor John!
hoo-hoo-ee"
"Well, madam, have guessed till I'm
t,ted. What was there about John so
remarkable"
"MarEablel" she exclaimed: why,
stranger, John was the best fiddler on yuth
How he'd lay back behind his fiddle and
roll his beautiful red head from side to
side, as he played Sugar in de Gourd,
Pig in de Tatur Patch, old Dan Tuck
or, and all them tunes! just to think.
ha'n't been month since he sit rite
here under this tree and played for mel
while / got up and danced just this way
10 that good old tune
3" 'Oh, she woLldn' an she couldn't, an
she wouldn't come at all
l- nm tum diddle dun doodle addey day ="
And here the woman jumped up and
cnt two or three very difficult steps
half way between the pigeon wing and the
old Virginia back step--whllc he sang
the above tune; then falling, she screamed
N the agony of distress
And now he's gone!-dead! Oh, me, u
ga2ed at the woman for one moment,
and thon told her | knew some very
good fiddlera. She Immediately became
calm, and looking up into my face with
IN inquiring glance, she said
Stranger, maybe you is good Iid-
dler; III go and get Johns fiddle"
And off she started for the house. AS
rnn as she was ont of sight, struck
pura to my horse.
Few understands the depth OF such feel
ing rs that.