The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1878-08-22
TIE FORECLOSURE OF THE MORT
GAGE
BY MRS. u. II. coRBETT.

walk right in the settin'-room, Deacon it's all in
muddle, you see,
But hadn't no heart to right it, SO I've jest let
Besides I'm a-goin' to-morrer-I calk'late to start
with the dawn
And the house won't seem so home-like if it's all
sent off the children this mornin': they both on
'em begged to stay,
But thought 'twould be easier, mebbe, if I was
alone to-day.
For this the very day, Deacon just twenty year
ago,
That Caleb and me moved in SO I couldn't forgit
it, you know
We were SO busy and happy we'd ben married
month before
And Caleb would clear the table and brush up the
kitchen floor.
He said was tired, and he'd help me- but law |!
that was always his way
Always handy and helpful, and kind, to the very
last day.
Don't you remember, Deacon, that winter broke
my arm?
Why, Caleb skursely left me. not to tend to the
farm. fs
There night and mornin' saw him. a-settin 80
close to my bed,
And knew HIM in spite of the fever that made me
so wild in my head.
He did nothin to grieve me, until he left me
behind
Yes, know there's no use in talkin', but somehow
it eases my mind.
And he sot such store by you Deacon, needn't tell
you now,
But unless he had your judgment, he never would
buy COW.
We'll, our COWS is gone, and the horse, too-poor
Caleb fond of Jack,
And cried like a fool this mornin' when looked
at the empty rack.
Ihope he'll be kindly treated; twould worry poor
Caleb so
If them Joneses should whip the cretur-but 1
s'pose he amt like to know.
I've ben thinkin it over lately, that when Mary
sickened and died,
Her fathers sperrit was broken, for she was allus
his pride.
He wasn't never so CHEEKY; he'd smile, but the smile
Want bright,
And he didn't care for the CATTLE though once they'd
ben his delight.
The neighbors all said he ailin, and they tried
to hint it to me;
They talked of a church-yard cough but, oh the
blind are those who acOn't see
Inever believed he goin' till 1 saw him a-layin'
here dead.
There, there don't be anxious, Deacon; haven't
tears to shed.
I've tried to keep things together--ve ben slavin'
early and late
ut | couldn't pay the intrest, nor git the farm
work straight.
So Of course I've gone behindhand and, if the farm
should sell
For enough to pay the mortgage, s'pose twill be
doin' well.
I've prayed ag'nst all hard feelins, and to walk as
Christian ought,
But it's hard to Caleb's children turned out of
the place he bought;
And readin that text in the Bible bout widows and
orphans you know,
can't think the folks will prosper who are willin'
to see us go.
But there I'm akeepin' you, Deacon, and it's
nigh your time for tea.
Won't come oOer?" No, thank you feel bet
ter alone, you see.
Besides, couldn't eat nothin'; whenever I've tried
it to-day
There's somethin' here that chokes me. I'm mar
vous, s'pose, you'll say.
81 We worked too hard p No, haven't. Why, it's
work that keeps me strong;
Ii sot here thlnkin', I'm sartain my heart would
break before long.
Not that care about Twin. I'd ruther be laid away
In the place I've marked beside Caleb to rest till
the jedgment-day.
But there's the children to think of-that makes my
duty clear,
And I'll try to foer it, Deacon though I'm tired of
this earthly speer.
Good-by, then. I sha'n't forgit you, nor all the
kindness you've showed;
Twill help to cheer me to-1norrer, as go on my
lonely road,
For What are you sayin, Deacon? I needn't-I
needn't go?
Yow'Ue bought the mortgage, and I can stay {?
Stop say it over slow
Jest wait now-jest wait minute-I'n take it in
bime-by-
That can stay. Why Deacon I don't know what
makes me cry!
haven't no words to thank you. Eff Caleb was
only here,
He'd sech head for speakin', he'd make my feelin's
clear.
There's picter in our old Bible of an angel from
the skies,
And though he hasn't no great-coat, and no specta-
cles on his eyes,
He looks jest like you, Deacon with your smile so
good and trew,
And whenever l see that picter twill make me
think of you.
The children will be so happyi Whv Debby will
most go wild
She fretted so much at leayin' her cardnp behind
poor child
And, law! I'm as glad as Debby, eff only for lest
thing
Now can tend the poses planted there last spring
On Caleb's grave. He loved the flowers, and it
eff he'll know
They're a-bloomin' all around him while he's
sleepin' there below
--Harper's Magazine for September.