The Osceola times., 1878-05-18
JAMES BROTHER JOHN.

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Only three little months since tina
Saturday morning, and yet how th'
world is changed to me had promiset
my little son his favorite dish Of stuffe,
meat for Sundays dinner, and had for
gotten thyme, the very root and essenc,
Of all havors 80, in hot haste, with my
sleeves rolled up, my white apron on
and nothing but busting cap on my
head, rushed into Jane, singing cheerily
to myself
81 know bank wheIeon the wild thyme blows >
In truth, Jane was bank where some.
thing else could be had beside this fra
grant commodity. Many time | had
tided over a Sundays dinner with the
help of pudding or pie from her capa-
cious lsrder; 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 bit of
currency, which | always paid back at
my earliest convenience, even If WAS
compelled to borrow 1t 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 los,
count of half leaves of bread, Jumps of
butter, small quantities Of vinegar, pep
per- mustard, even scuttle of coal.
These things have passed from my men,
ory, and lett no distinct trace but /
never have fsiled, 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
string on my finger till the debt was
wiped out, She wasn't exactly my
sister-in. .law--she was my brother-in
laws brothers wife but it amounted
to the same thing, and I've even intro-
duced her as my sister sometimes to
save ceremony. Jane generally ex-
plains, for she is a very conscientious
and strict woman, but the ramifications
of relationship are so intricate that |
never stay to hear them unravelled.
On this Saturday morning of which /
speak / rushed into James kitchen,
singiDg--
"I know blnk whereon the Wild thyme blows; !"
fassc4 Uv.s. 49, s'nd away in au emhar,
range, fitting back in his chair, ana
staring at me with all his might, was
strange gentleman. One could see he
was a gentleman at the first glance ; and,
truth to say, all the good people that
visited Jane did not reach my idea OF
true gentility. In the meanwhile a
warm, generous, encouraging smile
lighted up his face.
1"My--my sister is out ~ stammered,
looking about me for Jane.
"Your sister" he said, inquiringly !;
and as 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 2"
"Oh, what does it matter% said.
cts of some little consequence to
me-" he said, still smiling in his pleasant
wsy, 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 {
Sunday dinner; had to wait for Jane
and it was stupid to stand there and
saw nothing. At the least encourage
rnent my tongue always ran like mill
race, and here was the brightest and
best o. reasons for talking, when ] had
20 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, deal
papa, and my heart was strangely warmed
and comforted by the gentle sympathy
that shone in the face OF this kind gen
tleman for my widowed and lonely con
dition.
As usual, when my tongue ran ahead
Of nv reason, was brought up short by
the awkward consequence of this impuls
iyeness of mine, and when ! found tina
was actually being consoled yam entir'
stranger, my tardy timidity took fright
and should have beaten retreat If HI
had not anticipated me.
81 think Jane is coming" he said. &C.
will 20 out for walk, but hope soon Il
zee you again"
I couldn't help smiling when h
smiled, to save my life. He caught vi
his hat from the dresser, and went to tn
door.
"Why, where are you going, John !?
said Jane, upon the threshold.
"Pll be back presently" he said, ant
with another little nod to me he disap
peared.
"To think of that woman next doc
sticking pin in her baby's eye!" sai'
, Jane. "I declare to goodness, womal
that won't sew hooks and eyes or button
on her dress don't deserve to have
baby! !"
hsstened TO turn sideways to Jane
, Ny poor, dear Howard used to say tha
, every embrace of his was at the risk Q
being stabbed with pin or needle, &C
J to change the subject, asked Jane VIII
the gentleman was that had just left ui
"Why, that's brother john" sai,
, Jane "brother John, from Long Island
: He's such home body, ! guess you'v
, never seen him beftre," Here Jan
paused, and winked her eye at me an
smiled. Her smile was like her brothe
, Johns, and lit up her whole face. t. Yo
! see," Jane went on, beginning to mol
} ne bread, but still nodding and winkin
s at me, "John's come down here fo
somethin' special. My worst enem
: couldn't call me q match maker; bu
! , when see poor widow strugglin' alonf
= tryin' to keep the volt from the dool
l can't help tskin' an interest," There