The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1878-05-23
JAMES BROTHER JOHN.

JAMES BROTHER JOHN.
Only three little months since that
Saturday morning, and yet how the
world is changed to me- had promised
my little son his favorite dish of stuffed
meat for Sundays dinner, and had for
gotten thyme, the very root and essence
Of all havors; SO, in hot haste, with my
sleeves rolled up, my white apron on,
and nothing but a dusting cap on my
head, | rushed into Jane, singing cheerily
to myself,
: 81 know bank whercon the wild thyme blows. "
In truth, Jane was bank where some
| thing else could be had beside this fra.
grant commodity. Many a time | had
tided over a Sundays dinner with the
help Of a pudding or pie from her capa-
cious larder; and, on rare occasions,
seasons of dire necessity--for Jane was
more chary of money than anything else
in the world--she had lent me a bit of
currency, which | always paid back at
my earliest convenience, even if was
compelled to borrow it from somebody
else, because, knew that, to be in James
favor, one must not forget what she
called business transaction. confess
with shame and remorse that have lost
count of half loaves of bread, Jumps of
butter, small quantities o! vinegar, pep
per, mustard, even scuttle of coal.
These things have passed from my men,
ory, and lett no distinct trace but |
never have failed, when | have been
compelled to borrow money from my
sister in-law, to put the amount down on
the kitchen door, and have even worn a
string on my finger till the debt was
wiped ont. She wasn't exactly my
sister-in.law--she was my brother-in
laws brothers. wife, but it amounted
to the same thing, and Pve even intro-
duced her as my sister sometimes to
save ceremony. Jane generally ex-
plains, for she is very conscientious
aud strict woman, but the ramilications
of relationship are so intricate that |
never stay to hear them unravelled,
On this Saturday morning of which |
speak I rushed into James kitchen,
siuging--
al knog btnk whereon the wild thyme blows"
but the notes died away in an embar,
raised cough. For there, by the kitchen
range, fitting back in his chair, and
staring at me with all his might, was Il
strange gentleman. One could see he
was a gentleman at the first glance and Z,
truth to say, all the good people that
visited Jane did MT reach my idea Of
true gentility. In the meanwhile a
warm, generous, encouraging smile
lighted up his face.
"My--my sister is OUT stammered,
looking about me for Jane.
"YOur sister," he said, inquiringly; ;
and rs Jane wasn't there, | was com
PEELED to explain.
"Not exactly my sister," ! began; ;
and suddenly he broke in;
"Your sister>in;law, you mean"
con, what does it natter" said.
"It's of some little consequence to
me-" lie said, still smiling in his pleasant
way, and somehow | felt as if I'd
known him a hundred years. Before |
knew it began telling him about the
stuffed meat for my little Howard s
Sunday dinner; | had to wait for Jane
and it was stupid to stand there and
say nothing. At the least encourage
rnent my tongue always ran like mill.
race, and here was the brightest and
best OF reasons for talking, when had
50 ready and willing listener, and one
so sympathizing and genial. From my
little Howard it was the easiest thing in
the world TO get back to his poor dear
papa, and my heart was strangely warned
and comforted by tie gentle sympathy
thst shone in the face OF this kind gen.
tlenan for my widowed and lonely con-
ditiOn.
AS usual, when my tongue ran ahead
of my reason, was brought up short by
the awkward consequence of this impuls.
iveness of mine, and when found that
was actually being cOnsoled byan entire
stranger, my tardy timidity took fright,
and should have beaten a retreat if he
had not anticipated me.
~ think Jane is coming" he said. al
will 90 out Tor walk, but | hope soon to
see you again."
I couldn't help smiling when he
smiled, to save my life. He caught up
his hat from the dresser, and went to the
door.
"Why, where are you going, John ?"
said Jane. upon the threshold.
"Tll be back presently" he said, and
with another little nod to me he disap.
peared.
"To think of that woman next door
sticking pin in her baby's eye!" said
Jane. az declare to goodness, a woman
that won't sew hooks and eyes or buttons
on her dress don't deserve to have a
baby !"
| hastened to turn sideways to Jane.
NY poor, dear Howard used to say that
every embrace of his was at the iisk of
being stabbed with pin or needle, so,
to change the subject, | asked Jane who
the gentleman was that had Just left us.
"Why, that's brother John" said
Jane #" brother John, from Long Island.
He's such home body, guess you We
never seen h m BEFORE" Here Jane
paused, and winked her eye at me and
smiled. Her smile was Ike her brother
Johns, and lit up her whole face. You
see," Jane went on, beginning to mold
her bread, but still nodding and winking
st me, "Jobn's come down here for
somethin' special. Ny worst enemy
couldn't cali me match maker; but
when see poor widow strugglin' along,
trim TO Keep the wolf from the door,
| can't help takin' an interest. There's