Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1877-10-27
Only a Workingman.

ne donned oVercoat ana nat, then stop
ped to kiss the pale-faced child that
lay on its low couch.
John Grey had spoken the truth.
"Only a poor workingman" he was;
but man with aspirations for some
thing beyond the usual routine of his
daily life. Fitting for a physician
when his father died, and, instead Of
the goodly heritage the family had ex.
pected, creditors came forward, un-
just men had settled the estate, and
in three months from the time John
Grey was written fatherlsss he was
toiling for daily bread for himself and
two others; toiling as many others
have-going forth in the morning with
tin pail in hand not to return till late
at night.
He had known Jennie Grey from
early childhood. 1t was the rare boy
and girl fondness that had ripened in
to truest purost love. A weary wait
ing of five years. Johns sister was
married but there seemed no hope of
any better coming to John, for, with
his tastes and aspirations, he could
not hope to rise in the mechanical
world and then, choosing the work
ing-day world with one she loved
against pleasure trips, silks aud vel
vets with one she didn't at the altar
John Grey 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,
We're 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 be ev-
er knew, what ligL5 pulse and a
heavy heart meant. "a warm climate
and all dslicacies to Tempt her ap-
petite" How? Ar invalid /. other,
a hard working vie, three rosy chill
dren and one sick one. All these
to care for on the slender wages of a
working man. Bitter mockery seem
ed such talk to John and Jennie, and
this was the feeling that prompted his
opening remarks.
Better all honest gentleman of leis
ure )" and Jennie called up smile Of
wifely encouragement, for, with all
hardships and disappointments, love
had not been crushed out of the hearts
of these two.
ut ism t for me, Jennie. I have
gotten bravely over my hopes and as
pirations but tear came to the
strong man s eyes even as he spoke.
"Ive gotten bravely ly over it all for my
self, 1t ism for you, Jennie, though
birth, education and worth have fitted
your rank with any lady in the land.
You might have married where all
comforts would have been yours
mot all John, dear. I might have
married land, wealth and idleness; in
deed, | chose heart. Was it foolish ?
I thought it outweighed them all"
"a poor workingman may be rich
in a wife, Jennie, and John Grey
brushed the tears from his eyes, "but
| would like to see you better clad.
| would like to surround you with
Injuries but it isn't all you dear. |
would like to educate our children,
and they ought to be educated. Ma
ture has been most benefcent to them,
but their father can't do much. There
is Harry, eager and interested in in
sect life with proper opportunities he
might become a 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
perseverance sufficient. He needs
help. Then little Annie, she might
be a finely educated, accomplished
young lady, if her father could only
do his duty by her. But it isn't that
alone Jennie i, is for this our first
born daughter. 1t seems as though it
would kill me, Jennie. A little pa
Try gold would save her-bring back
health and strength-aye life itsslf." "
John his wife said, "wait a min
ute. God holds in his hand our child S
life, as he does our destiny