The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1873-11-06

| EOunu tldt Oiu IDft
"Oh, Johnl I'm so proud
paused abruptly, for his eyes dropped
with look of conscious shame. What
mood was he in Would it do to speak
him then? He had showed back from
the table and there was serious. far
away look in his eyes, but nothing sullen
or forbidding. She went around, and
dropree on her knees beside him. slipped
her arms about his neck. saying:
''Oh, John. | wish you'd promise me
you never drink no more whiskey."
That's most too hard on fellow
but III promise not to-not drink to1
much aein'." he answered.
"But I'm afeared that wouldn't dc
no good"
You talk like you thought [ hadn'
sense enough TO stop when I've go,
enough, if try" he exclaimed.
"Oh. John, don't talk so you know
you promised me that nigh onto year
ago; but you think you'll just take one
dram, and then jus. one more, and afore
you know it, its too much. If you d only
promise now that you never taste nary
drop agin
Still he kept her eyes steadily turned
away from her.
Don't you mind now" she vent on.
"how your mother said one time, reck.
on, Nancy, you count John a mighty
chap but he 8 all right at the core; and
dom you mind Row she used to pray for
you in them old times? Don't you mind
the evenin' We heard her praying down
by the old spring? II she's watching
you among the stars, how proud she d
be to hear you promise, and john" she
continued. dropping her voice to IA whis-
per, = pray. too. sometimes. | haven
never told you, but I've been feeling
right serious here of late I've taken to
readin' my Bible. and I've just made ur
my mind to live better | used to; and
pray for you, too, and it seems like God
hears me" And she laid her head on
his shoulder to hide her tears
His arm slipped around her, but he still
kept bis eyes turned stubbornly away
from hers. At last, laying his face
against hers, he spoke earnestly.
Yes, Nancy, | promise. F."
Presently. starting up, he exclaimed
iii haven't stayed till plum day.
light !"
"Oh. John come and kiss baby afort
you go; he looks so sweet. Sammy
Sammy wake up, wake up, honey. and
kiss rappyl"
BLESS his sleepy eyes! Pappy's little
man I'll bring him some candy when
come home ag'in."
All day Nancy went about with such ;
light. CHEEKY heart as she had no. carried
in her bosom for many day ) singing
snatches of old hymns, and thinking
happy, hopeful thoughts of him who. al
those long hours, was working his rud
der against the strong current of the
Missouri
That evening the stars shone brightly
down upon her. when she knelt by the
little window, and asked Gods blessings
on her husband and also his good resolu
tons.
But she was awakened,a few hours ar
terward, by rush and confusion, 8
cbouor r, 6 oI,So an,l hill o,p,a aoroSs Ia,
bed; end catching her baby in her arms
she sprang up, frightened and bewilder.
ell. 1t was a terrible storm one long
to be remem hered by all who felt its ter
rors The deafening roar of the wind
and hail almost drowned the load thun.
der claps. A binding fash of tightening
showed the trees almost bent to the
ground. and the house racked to and fro
like cradle. She suddenly felt a new,
strange feeling, as if she was flying float
ing through the air. She thought that
she was dizzy. and caught hold of ii e
bed. A terrible crash-she never knew
how it all happened Her baby cries
aroused her. The wind and rain chilled
her through. She started to spring up,
but something held her down. A shock of
pain darted over her, and putting out her
/ hand, she felt a great beam lying across
her limbs. 1t seemed as though it was
crushing her. Something struck her.
| then another, and another How they
Il. L. Il
from that pitiless storm? His screams
grew louder. Oh she must reach him!
She could see nothing through the thick
| darkness. but she knew that he was not
FAR off. What if he, too, was fastened,
crippled? She stretched Out her arms
every movement made her pain more
excruciating. She strained every nerve
she could almost reach him. What if he
were free aud could come to her?
"Oh! Sammy Sammy!" she cried,
come to nanny"
The child ceased crying. She heard
him move. His warm body touched her
hands that were cropping in the darkness.
She caught him in her arms and hug
ged him to her breast. She felt Of his
head, his arms. his feet; sound and
whole. How thankful she WAS for that.
But how those crul hail stones must have
bruised him. rested him on the
ground and crouched over him she could
move just enough for that The frighten-
ed child ceased crying, aud Put his arms
about her neck. If she could only find
something TO cover them from tie stor m
She reached around. but could touch
only cold mud.
Oh I! iha, terrible pain! She had al
most forgotten it 10 her anxiety for her
child 1t grew more and more intok IA
be. Ii seemed as though the hai.-stones
struck through into her brain. What if
they killed Ter? Was she afraid to die ?
Visions of eternity, of the heaven of her
faith. rose before her-Should she dwell
with God and the angels forever? Was
it pos sible that there would never be an