The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1877-06-07
l. Rash VOW w..

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4 Rash Vow.
. ', B y r,,nuED,Kk HASTINGS.
Arriving one day, few years ago, at
Annapolis in Nova Scotia, wished with
several other friends, to cross the PENN
sula. We hired two vehicles for the
Journey Of seventy miles. Six of our
number rode in the larger two-horse We
hicle, and two in the smaller, one horse
trapsef old Tomkins,: the carrier of Her
Maiestys mails. Old Tomkins led the
waY at first, until his horse becoming
weary, he was obliged to drop behind.
He told us togo ahead, but said, "Don't
couldznot keep up. We found ourselves
at eleven O'Clock ut; Mi ht waiting in =
dense wood for him to come up. One or
two :wentfback to find him. After an
hours detention he came up. We then
learned that one of the hinder wheels
had come off, owing to the loss of the
linch-pin. The old man had put the
wheel in the cart. He then fastened by
cords. 7of which he always carried
good ssupply)4sa young. larch tree, cut
from the forest, in such away that, trail
ing behind;it kept the vehicle from up
setting. We had to relieve him of his
passengers and drive on. Ere we
reached the rude inn where VIC were to
stop that night, the driver of our vehicle
gave us some account of Old Tomkins.
1t seems that for many years he had
carried the mails, and was known as
strong, determined old man. He pridcd
himself on never breaking his word.
lie was very stern husband and father.
One day he went home much earlier than
usual and, because his dinner was not
ready, he began to upbraid his wife.
She answered him warmly and he went
out, saying: "I'll never speak to you
again?" and said the driver, he has kept
his word
II suppose he does not live with his
wife, now!''"
Eyes, they live together just the same,
but he never speaks to her.
"What, not at table,"
NO: Hc does not even say How are
YOU when he comes home, or Good
night when he lies down by her side in
bed
HAS he then learned the dumb alpha
bet and does he communicate his wishes
by finger signal?"
"No, he has slate hanging by the
tiresde; on which he writes his wants
and wishes. If he desires to have meat,
or any article Of apparel, or wishes to
tell her anything, he writes it down and
lands"it to her. Generally there is no
need for him to use the slate, as his
wife anticipates nearly all his wants,
and he gives her certain allowance Of
money. He comes and goes, time after
time, and never opens his mouth to her"
''And'how long has this lasted?"
About seventeen years.
And has he any sons and daugh-
tcrs!' y"
eyes, and he speaks to shem, but never
to their mother"
"How painful for them!'
Yes, and they have all gone wrong
= through his treatment
do YOU think he will preserve this re-
solve to the end of life?"
Most likely; and when he is :joked
about his rash oath by others he only re-
torts, 'better no talking than incessant
quarreling.'
The next morning we passed the house
Of old Tomkins. 1t was a pleasant
looking wooden house, painted black
with blue shutters. The old man halted
and entered for few moments only.
When he came back the driver said:
"How's the missus?''
Alright
HAS she gained her voice yet?"
"Drive ahead, and don't ask stupid
questions" retorted old Tomkins. And
the old man gave smart stroke with the
whip to his own poor horse and dashed
away.
He would not speak again all that
journey to the driver of our vehicle and
hardly T. any of our party.
Returning to Annapolis after an alb
scnce of several years, made enquiries
for the old man. He was still driving
mails, but his poor wife no longer lived.
He went home one day as he passed, and
found her lying very ill in bed, his
daughter told him that the doctor had
been there and said she could not re-
cover.
The old man went into his wife's bed
room, and standing by her bedside the
gazed long and intently at her. The
struggle in his soul was severe. Should
he break the long silence? He took al
length her hand in his. Still the silence
was maintained. The daughter sat with
her eyes fixed on her father, wondering al
his continued hardness.
After quarter of an hour, "a very long
period under such circumstances thu
sr1< ToL,
am going.".
The old man went for his slate and be
gan writing something. He handed it tc
her. She took it, but turned away, hel
face overspread with unutterable anguish
n few moments more Of silence, then
gurgling sound was heard. The daugh
ter fastened to lift her mothers head
The attempt was useless. Life was eb
bling rapidly. The old man saw it ant
could. restrain no longer his tongue. HI
said, 4 Susan, I'm sorry for you"
There was no sign that she heard.
II hope you'll he better soon."
Still no sign. The poor woman wa!
fast sinking now in death. Tomkins saw
the pallor gathering ever her face. Now
thoughts Of old days rushed through hi
mind and he said again, "Susan, can dt
anything for you?"
She heard not the inquiry. In tin
solemn presence of death the old mar
bent over her and cried, "Susan, speal
once more!'
1t was too late. The spirit had gone t.
its Maker, and to old Tomkins, alas, IT
manned the bitter memory Of his rash WOW
and harsh treatment of frail woman