The Van Buren press., 1875-05-04


Woodsum seemed to have the effect to di-
vert his wife's attention from her own
suffering, and by turning her emotions
into a new channel, gave her system an
opportunity to rally She grew better
as she had done in like cases before, and
even, before night was able to sit up, and
became quite composed and cheerful.
But her malady was only suspended,
not cured and again and again it return
ed upon her, and again and again were
her friends summoned to witness her last
sickness, and take their last farewell
| And on these occasions she had so often
slightly and delicately limited to Mr.
Woodsum the propriety Of his marrying
a second wife, that even he at last, could
listen to the suggestion with degree OF
indifference which he had once thought
he could never feel.
: At last the sober. saddcuing days Of
autumn came on. Mr.. Woodsum was IN
the midst Of his fall work, which had
several times been interrupted by one Of
these periodical turns of dependency in
his wife. One morning he went to his
field early, for he had heavy day work
to do, and had engaged one OF his neigh
bors to come with two yoke Of oxen and
plow, to help him break mp an old
moving field. He was exceedingly desi-
rous not to be interrupted, for his neigh
Dor could only help him that day, and he
was very anxious to plow the whole field.
He accordingly had left the children and
nurse in the house, with strict charges to
take good care of their mother, and see
that nothing diaturbed her through the
day
Mr.. Woodsum was driving the team,
and his neighbor was holding the plow.
and things went on TO their mind till
about ten o'clock in the forenoon, when
little Harriet came running to the field,
aud told her father that her mother was
dreadful SICK, and wanted him to come
as Quick as he could, for she certainly
was diving now Mr.. Woodsum, without
saving word, drove his team to the end
of the furrew, but he looked thoughtful
and perplexed'
Although he felt persuaded that her
danger was imaginary, as it had always
proved to be before, still the idea of the
bare possibility that this sickness might
be unto death pressed upon him with such
power that he laid down his goad stick,
and telling his neighbor to let his cattle
) breathe awhile, walked deliberately to-
ward the house
Before he had accomplished the whole
distance, however, his own Imagination
had added such wings to his speed, that
he found himself moving at quick run.
J He entered his house, and found his wife
, as he so often found her before, in her
own estimation, almost ready to breathe
Q her last. Her voice was faint ard low
and her pillow wet with tears. She had
already taken leave of her dear children
, and waited only to exchange few parting
! words with her beloved husband.
Mr. Woodsum approached the bedside
and took her hand tcnderly, as he had
ever been wont to do, but he could moi
: perceive any symptoms of extreme sick
: ness or approaching dissolution, different
from what he had witnessed on former
occasions.
Now, my dear, said Mrs, Woodsum
family, the time has come at last. fee
e that am on my dcathbed, and have bu,
, short time longer to stay with you. Bu
t | hope we shall feel resigned to the viii
of heaven. These things are undoubt
edly ordered for the best, and would &C
! most cheerfully, If it was not for my
a anxiety about you and the children. Now
, don't you think, dear, she continued Will
Y increasing Tenderness. don't you think
it would be best for you to be married
again to some kind, good woman, thai
would be mother to our dear little ones
, and make your home pleasant for all o
youY
She paused and seemed to look earn
Q estly in his face for an answer
Q 'Well I've sometimes thought of late
it might he best said Mr.. Woodsum
g with solemn air.
e Then you have been thinking about it,
said Mrs Woodsum. with slight con
A traction Of the muscles of the face.
F.; why, yes, said Mr. Woodsnm,
e have sometimes thought about it since
. you've had spells Of being so very sick
E. 1t makes me ieel dreadfully to think of it
but don't know but it might be mat
a ter Of duty
; 'Well, | do think it would said Mrs
0 Woodsum, : if you can only get the righ
@ sort of person. Everything depends
! upon that, my dear, and hope you viii
be very particular about who YOU get
Il certainly shall, said Mr. Woodsum
don't you give yourself any uneasines'
e about that, my dear, for assure you
t shall be very particular, The person
1 shall have IS one Of the kndest and bes
! tempered women in the world
, But have you been thinsing of any
t one in particular. my dear| said Mrs
, Woodsum, with manifest look of unea
, sincss
why, yes said Mr. Woodsum, there
r is one that havc.thought, for sometime
past, should probably marry, ifit should
+ be the will of Providence to take yot
r from us
And pray, Mr.. .Woodsum, who can il
, be 2 said the wife, with an expression .
| little more Of earth than heaven return
t ing to her eyes WHO is it Mr. Wood
E sum? You havn't named it to her, have
; your
oh by no means said Mr. Wood
sum, but, my dear, we.had better dror
the subject; il agitates you too much
f But, Mr.. Woodsum, you must tell me
who it's; never could die in peace un'
, Iasc vou do