Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1877-11-02
ONLY A POOR WORKINGMAN.

only poor WOrklngman, was the dis
consulate remark of John Gray. as he
donned overcoat and hat, then STOPPED
to kiss the pale-faced child that Law on
it's low couch.
John Gray had spoken the truth. for
only poor workingman" he was but
a man with aspirations for something
beyond the usual routine of his daily
life. Fitting for physician when his
father died, and instead of the goodlv
heritage the family had expected, cred
ltors came forward unjust men settled
the estate. and in three months from the
time John Gray was written fatherless
he was toiling for daily bread for HIM
self and two others; toiling as many an
other has-going forth in the morning
with tin pail in hand, not to return till
late at nj ght.
He had known Jennie Ware from ear
ly childhood. Ii was the true boy and
girl fondness that had ripened into tru-
est purest love. A weary waiting of
flve years. Johns sister was married:
but there seemed no hope of anything
better coming to John, for, with his
tastes and aspirations, he could not hope
to rise in the mechanical world; and
then, choosing the working day world
with one she loved, against pleasures,
silks and velyets with one she didn't, at
the altar John Gray and Jennie Ware
were pronounced man and wife.
Patiently he toiled and cheerfully she
wrought. In time four bright children
came to their home Healthy bodies as
well as sound intellects were vouchsafed
all but one.
Bertha, the second, the brightest of
all, whose large dark eyes were ever
studying something afar off, was now
dropping.
a warm climate" the fat man said,
who had grown so rich on death bed
scenes that he had forgotten, if he ever
knew, what a light pulse and heavy
heart meant. A warm climate and all
delicacies to tempt her appetite How?
An invalid mother a hard working wife.
three rosy children and one sick one
All these to care for on the slender wa
ges of a workingman. Bitter mockery
seemed such talk to John and Jennie.
and this was the feeling that prompted
his opening remarks.
Better all honest workineman than
a dishonest gentleman of leisure" and
Jennie called up smile of wifely en-
couragement, for, with all their hard
ships and dlsappolntments, love had not
been crushed out OF the hearts of these
two.
1T isn't for me, Jennie. | have got
ten bravely over my hopes and aspira-
tions: but tear came to the strong
mans eyes even as he spoke I've got
bravely over it all for myself 1t isn't
for you, Jennie, though birth, education
and worth have fitted you to rank with
any lady in the land. You might have
married where all comforts would have
been yours.
" Not all, John, dear. l might have
married land wealth and idleness; in
deed, | chose heart. Was it foolish?
| thought it outweighed them all.
"A poor workingman may be rich in a
wife, Jennie" and John Gray brushed
tear from his eye But | would like to
see you better clad | would like to
surround you with luxuries; but it isn't
all you, dear. | would like to educate
our children, and they ought to be edu-
Gated. Nature has been most benifcent
to them, but their father can't do much.
There is Harry, eager and interested in
insect lite; with proper opportunities,
he might become great naturalist.
Will, poor boy, has all my old love for
anatomy, and so forth. Perhaps, with
no drag on him, he can work his way up
alone. though the struggle will be hard;
but Harry hasn't self-reliance or perse-
ycrcnce sufficient. He needs help. Then
little Annie, she mi ght be a finely edu-
Gated, accomplished young lady, if her
father could only do his duty by her.
But it isn't that alone, Jennie, it is for
this, our first-bon daughter. 1t seems
as though it would kill me, Jennie. A
little paltry gold would save er-bring
back health and strength-aye. life it.
SELF
John" his wife said, wait minute.
God holds in his hand our child's life, as
he has held our destiny
Yes, and what destiny" he inter
rupted, with bitterness.
We will see what destiny, John.
He took from you father surely. but
you know it is well with him. He per-
mitted you to give up your chosen lifes
work, and why? Because he had chosen
something different for you, and what
the Master chooses is sanctifed, John.
He permitted you to watch over and
care for your sister Ellen. You saved
her from sad pitfall. He has allowed
you to be a stay and comfort to your
bereaved mother He has given you
pure hearted, loving wife, not rich in
worldly goods, to be sure, but then you
know that poor folks value love. Mrs.
Barlow was in here yesterday. She told
me of her boy, that her wealth has not
saved from the contamination that as
sociating with Jack Potter and his set
almost brought upon our Harry What
saved Harry? Your judicious counsels
and fatherly love And yet you say you
can't do anything for your children.
Mrs. Barlow wept when she saw Annie
just the age her little Winnie would
have been had she lived. But her moth
er's wealth enabled her to leave her child
to the care Of hirelings, and she now
feels that Winnie might have been spar
ed had proper attention been given the
child. Her son no comfort and her
daughter dead
Sadly John Gray pointed to Bertha.
No, John, Bertha is yet alive, and,
please God, she shall live in spite of the
doctor Good nursing is worth more
than anything else, and that she has.
The Great Physician can heal now as
well as in the days when they Whispered
the tidings that Jesus of Nazareth pass
eth by
Jennie, I am rich, though only a
poor workingman."
And John Gray took up the little tin
pail, and with kiss for the little pale
faced child, and one for the brave-heart-
ed Christian wife, started forth to his