Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-07-14
TConcluded from first page.I

he looked graver still. Ice was put upon
the poor lady's head, which rolled help
lessly to and fro upon the pillow. And
there she lay for four long weeks.
Il was season of wretchedness and
despair. Nobody knew how dear and
necessary was this rather sharp and pre-
emptory matron till there was an immi-
nent danger OF losing her. Then all was
remembered and chung to tearfullIy.
Jones found his heart contracting with
agony. and could think of no way in which
lie would be endurable without her. 10
contend with business cares, to shape the
future of this pretty Resale. to manage
these three boisterous boys, without Maria
without Mrs. Jones
"My God joe" he cried that night,
bowling his head upon the marble table
and bursting into tears, 81 shall go mad"
'.Hush, take heart. There's faint
hope" said Joe, coaxing the cold trem-
bling fingers of Rosalie into his keeping.
On, what would they have done without
him, these Joneses, who knew naught
of sickness save the little Ills
that wonder fainting hand upon the
bed had guided safely to health again ?
Joe had dealt with it all his life. lie
knew and tested well all the help that
could be gained from human aid, and
when that was hopeless, knew also how to
wait manfully the decree of the inevitable.
That dreadful night not an eye closed in
the house, save perhaps, the tear-swollen
ones of the bows. Mrs Graham remained
upon her knees hour after hour, and who
can tell but the prayers of that pure good
lady were of avail ? Early in the day Mrs.
Jones had fallen into slumber, which the
doctor had said would probably lead from
Inconsistencies into death. But the next
morning, though still asleep, her pulse
was stronger; gentle perspiration batLed
her forehead The doctors eyes cleaned
suddenly with hope, and he drove them
down into the front basement to tell them
that perhaps there was indeed moderate
chance for the life of Mrs. Jones. Which
soon ripened into a certainty. Once Civ
ing that good lady ioot-hod upon the
shore again, there was not much danger
of her drifting out She became gradual
ly conscious of all that had happened.
at was the wonderful goodness of
Cod" said pure and gentle Mrs. Graham.
"And. under Heaven, my strong consti-
tuition" said Mrs. Jones, THAT was proof
against house hunting; and more is due to
the care and nursing OF your strong, good
son. God bless him anyway she said.
tears rolling out of her eyes, I'm glad
he's got the house, as long as we havn't.
We must begin to look about us now it
must be well on to the LIST of May"
Then her weak. wandering sight began
to fall upon each well-beloved article of
furniture filling its appointed place, upon
the still bright and CHEEKY carpet that had
been fitted to the parlors so many years
ago, upon this and that bracket on the
wall, this and that niche for familiar
household gods.
.'Oh dear!' she cried to herself. pite
ously. IAN l going now to be a weak.
maudlin woman, and cry over what can t
be helpedp"
Joe. she said that night to young Ora
ham, II wish you'd look up house for us.
Jones isn't worth a pin that way. and you
see how it is. Do, like good boy, just
get us place in the city, as near by as
you cam
"Why, Mrs. Jones, said Joe, "Im sor-
nv if it displeases you, but we were com
PEELED to do something, and | thought pei
haps you wouldn't mind just living as we
are tor another year-molher and | up
stairs and you down, in the old way"
''In the dear, blessed old way" MUIR
INJURED Mrs. Jones, holding out to him her
shaking hands. "God bless you, Joe"'
And he did bless him. OF that you may
ha surp