River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-11-08
Only a Poor Nottingham:

trey eulsconSOlate remark, as ne uOnneu
overcoat ard hat, then stopped to kiss
the pale-faced child that lay on its low
couch.
John Grey had spoken the truth. "Only
poor workingmann he was; but man
with aspirations for something beyond
the usual routine of his daily life. Fit
ting for physician when his father died,
and, instead of the goodly heritage the
family had expected, creditors came for
ward, unjust men settled the estate, and
in three months from the time John
Grey was written fatherless he was toll
ing for daily bread tor himself and two
others; tOiling as many others have-go-
ing forth in the morning with the pail in
hand. not to return till late at night
He had known Jennie Ware from early
childhood. 1t was the rare boy and girl
fOndness that had ripened into truest,
puTest love. A weary waiting of five
wears. 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 pleasure-trips, silks and
velvets with one she didn't at the altar
John Grey and Jennie Ware were pro-
nounced 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 youch-
safed 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 light pulse and a heavy
heart meant. a warm climate and all
delicacies to tempt her appetite" How!
An invailed mother, handwriting wife,
three rosy children and one sick one.
All these to care for on the slender wages
of a workingman. Bitter mOckery
seemed such talk to John and Jennie, and
this was the feeling that promoted the
opening remarks.
Better an honest workingman than a
dishonest gentleman of leisure;" and Jen-
nine called up smile of wifely encour-
agement, for, with all their hardships and
crushed out of the hearts of these two.
at isn't for me, Jennie. have gotten
bravely over my hopes and aspirs tions;'
but tear came to the strong mans eyes
even as he spoke. "I've gotten 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, l chose a heart. Was it foolishl
l thought it outweighed them all"
"A poor wOrkingman may be rich in a
wife Jennie" and John Grey brushed the
tear from his eyes, "but | 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.
Nature has been most benihcent to them,
but their father can't do much. There is
Harry, eager and interested in insect life !;
with proper opportunities, he might be-
come a great naturalist. VIII. 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-rehance or perseverance sufficient.
He needs help. Then little Annie, she
might be a nely-educated, accom-
plIshed young lady, if her father could
only do his duty by her. But it is isn't
thai alone, Jennie, it is for this, our
first born daughter. 1t seems as though
it would kill me, Jennie. A little pal
try gold would save her-bring back
health and strength--ay, life itself"
"John, " his wife said, swat a minute.
God holds in his hand our child's life,
as He has held our destiny"
"Yes, aud what a destiny" he inter-
rupted with bitterness.
1--WE will see what destiny, John. He
took from YOU father. surely, but you
know it is well with him. He permit
ted you TO give up your chosen life's
work, and whyl 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 a
sad pitfall. He has allowed you to stay
and comfort your bereaved mother. He
has given a 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. Her wealth has
not saved from the contamination that
! associating with Jack Potter and his set
brought upon our Harry. What saved
Harry Your iudicious 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 mothers
wealth enabled her to leave her child to
| the care of hirelings and she now
feels that Winnie might have been spared
| had proper attention been given the
child Her son no comfort and her
daughter dead"
Sadly John Grey pointed to Bertha.
mo, 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 passeth
by.
Jennie, l am rich, though only poor
workingman.n Aid John Grey took up
the little tin pail, and with kiss for the
little pale-faced child, and one for the
brave-hearted Christian wife started forth
to his daily toll. A few steps from the
door he encountered Frank Barlow
/ The mans heart warmed toward him, and,
with sympathetic feeling he stepped
/ impulsively and laid his hand on the boys
| shoulder.
Frank, laddie, I'm only poor work
ingman, but you are just the age of my
boy, and I'm sorry for you. Where have
you beenl Not fresh from home this
morning in this plight" and he looked
at the lads untidy appearance. Was the
whole night not too long to spend at Rob
insons low drinking hole with such fel
l lows as Jack Potter, when the dear moth
er, who would have yielded her life for