West-Jersey pioneer., 1868-04-24
How John Left His Wife To Want.
BY AUGUSTA MOORE.

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"Why do you not insure your life
John % asked one friend of another, as
they two, with their hands deep il theil
pockets, walked briskly over the crisp
winter ground towards their place OF
business.
"What's the use p was the short re.
sponse.
"Not much, perhaps, to you, John; but
think of that wife of yours. What would
become of her if you were taken away
You say you lay up nothing"
"That is true, Edward. I never yet
have been able to get ahead two hundred
dollars, that something did not take
to use it all clean up. / once fretted
over this, and wished to lay by like other
men; but have come to the conclusion
that God has determined otherwise, and
am content. We always have enough to
keep us more than comfortable, and a
penny for those less fortunate than We
As to my wife's condition after | am
gone, that never worries me any. Why
every year l expect will be the last one
of her life. She is so feeble now hat
she is not really able to take care of her.
self, and is fast losing her sight. Dear
woman shall soon have to learn to do
without her."
The man, who was one of the best of
husbands, whose heart had never felt one
throb for any woman but his wife, here
wiped away two tears that started from
his eyes.
Edward was silent for few moments,
thinking how strange it was that he, who
had no particular affection for the lady
of whom they had been speaking, should
feel SO much more care and anxiety for
her future, than her devoted husband
did. owe mortals are curious creatures"
he thought; "well, I must make one
more effort in her behalf"
"John," said Edward, earnestly, sit is
exactly because your good wife is so
feeble, and so nearly blind, that you
ought to make provision for her support
should you be taken away before her.
know, dear John, how stout and we'll you
are, and have always been; but you, as
well as |, know that such men sometimes
die, and that most unexpectedly. Look
at Captain Dunmore-fell dead standing
in his door way, laughing at his little
boys capers. None had even suspected
any disease. And you do not forget Mr..
Norway, who was felled by bolt out of
cloudless sky. His wife was as feeble as
yours I really wish you WOULD insure
your life, John. Will you not do it?"
IL don't think | will. I have never
approved of these Insurance Com panies.
They are made on purpose to get away
peoples money without fair equivalent.
| regard them as legal lotteries, and will
have nothing to do with them. Good
morning, Edward" The friends here
parted for the day.
On Johns return to his home at night
he related the conversation to his wife
and daughter, and laughed at Edwards
earnestness in the matter. zone would
think he had personal interest in it,"
he said
swell, father, do wish you would
take his advice" cried Susy; ~ am sure
you earn enough to pay for two or three
thousand dollars, and you know you and
mother ought to leave me something to
depend on, if outlive you"
"You may depend on your husband,
my girl. Nobody left any money to your
mother to depend on. You must do as
she did, and it's high time you were at
it Have you seen that sandy-maned
fellow around here this week, mother p
At this, the daughter, covered with
bushes, left the room.
The dear mother, pale, wan, feeble,
and sitting in deepening twilight even at
noon, said nothing for or against the
insurance business; but she sighed, and
thought intently of her condition as it
was at present, as it might become She
mad many times desired to say to her
husband, that it would take heavy
weight off her mind were he to insure
his life; but it looked, to her tender
heart, almost unfeeling to allude to such
subject. She reflected, however, that
were she the iucome of the family, and
were any other member of it as she was,
not day would pass till she had, az far
as human power could do it, secured to
such an one the means of comfort and
Independence for life. ssBut men are so
different from women,v she said, excus-
ing her husband to her own thoughts,
"they do not see things as we do. They
cannot help it, I suppose, SO they must
not be blamed. viii trust in God, who
has kept me hitherto"
The good woman meant right, but she
reasoned wrong. True, we ought to
trust in God at all times, but not that he