The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1868-05-02

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thought there was Anything Tie matte
with .ne and you never WI cntil | a't
in my cot1iu.''
ally dear, how can you be 50 un.
Just, 50 unreasonable. | never thought
that there was nothing the matter with
you; though | do think that you make
it a good deal worse than il is. The
| doctor does not seem to consider you il
any danger. Indeed, he told me that il
you would only take sufficient air and
exercise, you would soon be as strong as
evev:"
"I always did think that Dir. Randall
didn't know enough to practice, and now
I'm SIRE of p was the indignant re-
sponse. "Air and exercise. torsooth .
What does lie know about my constitu-
ton, or how [ am, anyway? He just
runs i'll once day, pretending to be in
such hurry that he can't stop to hear
half what have to say; and hasn't
given me a particle Of medicine for more
than q week. IF | had had skllful
physician, my life might have been
saved but it is too late to think Of that
now. All that | ask of you is to write
to my mother by the next mail, telling
her to come on at once, if she wants to
see me alive. On second thought, you
had better telegraph; a letter would
reach her too late"
Mr. Barnes left lis wife'5 rt ON with a
sadly -perplrxed counteaance. He met
Mrs. Green on the stairs.
"1irs. Green" he said, abruptly, edo
you think Hrs. Barnes to be 50 low as
she considers herself p
Mrs. Green's ten years experience in
nursing had taught her that some things
were better thought than spoken, so she
said, guardedly:
"Well, sir, that's rather hard telling.
If was in your place, I'd ask the doc
tor; lie ought to Know
This Mr. Barnes did, staying at home
Tor that purpose, and way laying DR..
Randall. as he came down stairs that
morning.
Your wife is very sick,'' was the
reply; " but it is sickness more of the
mind than the body. She is getting in
a bad state, from which she ought to be
aroused as soon as possible; the strong
est constitution could not stand long
life so at variance with the plainest die
totcs of nature. I should advise ycu to
take her u .jonrneying But # she won't
agree to that, invite some cheerful, lively
young person of her own sex, who will
divert Der thoughts from this constant
dwelling upon herself, and which is the
real root Of the difficulty"
\ few days after Mrs. Barnes was
surprised at the sudden advent of her
sister Laura, who announced her inttn-
tion of making long visit. The re-
la,ionship was only nominal, Laura be-
ing the daughter of Mrs. Barnes step
father by his first wife.
Laura was an agreeable, companion
able girl, and endowed with more than
the usual amount Of that rather uucom-
mon attribute, common-sense.
At first Mrs. Barnes seemed to be
pleased it was something to have a
new listener to her rehearsals of the
strange feelings, and the ever-varying
and conflicting symptoms of her pecu-
liar case. But no amount of persuasion
could induce her 70 leave her room, or
her bed, even; and finally. much to her
inward surprise and annoyance, both
Laura and her husband ceased to urge
or appear to desire it.
One evening Mrs. Barnes was expa-
iating on the cheerful theme OF her
demise, and the conse-
luent desolation that would overwhe!m
Ter husband, when Mrs. Green said,
significantly:
wouldn't worry any on lis account;
le'll.fnd plenty to console him u
Why, what do you mean, nurse 2"
inquired Mrs. Barnes, with look of
Fortified astonishment. ''Do you think
ny husband would marry ?" <.-..
"Lauk and why not, ma'am? Mr..
Barnes is young and good-looking
nan; and if he was in the market,
here'd be plenty who would be setting
heir caps for him. And often they
lon't wait till the fust wife is dead i
specially if. she's sort o. feeble and liza
ole to drop off suddtn." e.5-.
Mrs. Barnes didn't look as though
his was very agreeable information
md the laughter and merry voices that
loated up from below fell full as un-
pleasantly on her ear.
Who is IN the parlor ~ she inquir-
d, uneasily.
~ Nobody bus Mr. Barnes and Miss
laura. ma am"
Well, / wish you'd just step down
nd ask them if they can't be more
uiet."
Mrs. Green soon returned
!" Miss Laura says thai ahaaiinauIIIII11 s
orry she distaiha 80 slis try
-. Il 7, l.