The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1875-03-25


signed to the world was not the real one.
"Between ourselves, we had not a decent
dress. We have not TO work very hhrd,
you know, to help "poor Bob
tGHpw is your mother, MaryY" .s
9g0h, pretty we'll Yes, pretty well =
VI "She looks care wornr
s"Doyou think SOP | have been UNI
willing 10 believe ii. But | rather fear
YOU are right. Jane made the samb re-
mark. But--but--between ourselves she
has been terribly put about with poor
Bob g
Yet.itis comforting to know thattBob
was Wonderfully coiitented all'the while.
"Nothing like patience" he sagely re-
marked. He complained, no doubt, that
the sort of life he led was rather dull,
But he enjoyed, nevertheless, excellent
health, was thankful to say that his ap-
petite was as goodaseyeT, and was always
clad if any kind friend dropped in at
night to Join him in u tumbler. 1t kept
his spirit up.
Week after week, month afterImonth
that young man ate and slept, sulked and
twaddled, repented and abused, asked for
pity and porter, whihed about himself
and his misfortunes, and got all he
wished
Bob feIl'ill His bad health was caused
indirectly by his dissipate habits. But,
of course, no one in the family dared to
hint to him anything which would give
him pain. Jane once tried to touch his
conscience, bu. Bob stopped her by say
ing, that "this was not the time to talk to
Il fellow about his fults. She should
have more sympathy"
The doctor was, of course, sent for. A
thought of how he was to be paid never
entered Bobs head. The sisters toied
an extra hour to put this right. Bob
thought he might be more attentive,
which meant that he should visit him
once every day at least, toRsoothe bis
feelings, by assuring him of recovery.
Bob was very open to kindness during
his sickness; the quantity Of clothes over
him, the smoothing of the epilow, the eX-
act hour of giving him his medicine, the
quality of his food, the care vita which
he was watched, the readiness with which
his demands, day or night, were ans
wered-all these things engaged his at
tention. He was not disappointed.
Whatever happened, "poor Bob" was al
ways attended to- His mother sat be-
side him with q constancy which was
wonderful. She made all his food, and
gave it to him with her own hand. Hour
after hour she sat on the large easy-chair
beside the fire, her Aannel night-cap tied
round her head with black handker-
chief A large collection of pans and
bowls, with brown teapot, and small
tin kettle, grouped around the CRATE, were
her special charges. She simmered This,
stewed that; kept one drink hot, and
cooled another; put on Goals, and took off
Goals; helped Bob's head up, and let it
down; turned him, clapped him, coaxed
him, watched him, and thought about
him day and night. She was never
weary, never impatient, and seemed to
think that rest and sleep were supertlui-
ties of nature which love could dispense
with, and all "to make poor Bob com
The girls wrought hard, but
never complained, unless it was that
"mother" insisted on doing everything
herself.
"Would Bob not like to see the clergy
MANI" was question ofted discussed be-
tween Mrs. Turner and her daughters be-
foreit was ever proposed to him. But he
saw no use of it. 1t was like signing his
death-warrant He said he would think
about it, he did not like making long
not one Of those who made
q profession of religion; knew many who
lid SO that were not better than their
besides, clergymenlwere just
ike other people, If man could not
AXE care Of himself, what could clergy
men do for him? He hated humbug and
Such were some of Bob's dy-
ing aphorisms aboutmen and things, and
so no one wished to hurt his feelings by
asking any one to help him in his last
lays. His mother and sisters were
obliged to smother their sorrows, for it
lid not do to cross or veX poor Bob"
Bob died. Many friends Of the family
,ame to the funeral Old employers, who
orgot old differences; young men, who
rad been once tellow-workers at the same
lesk with him; distant relatives, with an
lncle and his sons from the country-all
out of respect to the family.
"Poor felloww some remarked, with
more charity than wisdom, che did no
me harm but HIMSELF he was his own
worst enemy" Others said he was "no
Ioubt very foolish" "thoughtless," 4" " too
.asly led astray," but kind-hearted!'
All acknowledged that "it was pity for
lis mother and sisters, who were so very
espectable." An old employer put &5
nto Mrs. Turner's hand as a mark of
The uncle, plain weather
,eaten farmer paid the expenses of the
uneral. Bob left the house Of the liv-
ng, for the last time, at slow pace, in a
hearse, with angelic figures and |
herubic faces shining black and sup
,orting nodding plumes. In the house
Ie had left, his mother and sisters were
atching the last glimpse of the hearse
Trough the chinks Of the window-blind,
heir eyes red with sorrow, their sobs
ong and deep, and their hearts full ofun-
terable thoughts.
Bob now lies among long grass, near ra
nouldy, damp wall, beside his father, and
mong ten thousand sleepers till the res
ERECTION morn.
On the Sunday following his death, his
and sisters wentto visit his grave
nd weep there. What memories ~oothed
hem? What legacy Of love had he left
ehind him? What ray of calm sunlight
id his character cast on that newmade
rave?
For many months after, they laboredin
lent patience to pay several debts for
'hich they had become bound, in order
, keep "poor Bob" out ofjail.
RASH PROMISE TOO FAITHFUL