The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1878-05-16
JAMES BROTHER JOHN.


Good Words.
JAMES BROTHER JOHN.
ONLY three little months since that
Saturday morning, and yet how the
world is changed to me! had prom
Used my little son his favorite dish of
stuffed meat for Sundays dinner, and
had forgotten thyme, the very root and
essence of all fiavors; so, in hot haste,
with my sleeves rolled up, my white
apron on, and nothing but busting cap
on my head, rushed in to Jane, sing
ing cheerily to myself.
Il know . bank whereon the wild thyme blows"
In truth, Jane was a bank where
something else could be had beside this
fragrant commodity. Many time 1
had tided over Sundays dinner with
the help of puddidg or pie from her
capacious larder; and. on rare occa-
sions, seasons of dire necessity-for
Jane was more chary of money than
anything else in the wide world-she
had lent me bit of currency, which
always paid back at my earliest con-
venience, even if 1 was compelled to
borrow it from somebody else, because,
knew that, to be in James favor, one
must not forget what she called a bust
ness transaction. l confess with shame
and remorse that have lost count of
half loaves of bread, Jumps of butter,
small quantities of vinegar, pepper,
mustard, even scuttle of coal. These
things have passed from my memory,
and left no distinct trace; but l never
have failed, when l have been COM
PEELED to borrow money from my sister,
in-law, to put the amount down ON the
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 very conscientious
and strict woman, but the ramificatiOns
of relationship are so intricate that l
never STAY to hear them unravelled.
On this Saturday morning of which l
speak l rushed into James kitchen,
singing
but the notes died away in an embar-
raised cough. For there, by the kitch-
en- range, fitting back in his chair, and
staring at me with all his might, was a
strange gentleman. One could see he
was 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.
My-my sister is outr' stam-
mered, looking about me for Jane.
Your sisterp'' he said, inquiringly;
and as Jane wasn't there, I was COM
PEELED to explain.
= mot exactly my sister," began;
and suddenly he broke in:
"Your sister-in-law, you mean?'
"Oh, what does it matter?' said.
Its of some little consequence to
me- he said, still smiling in his pleas.
ant way, and somehow l felt as If I'd
known him hundred years. Before
knew it began telling him about the
stuffed meat for my little Towards
Sunday dinner; had to wait for Jane
and it was stupid to stand there ani
say nothing. At the least encourage
ment my tongue always ran like mill
race, and here was the brightest anG
best of reasons for talking, when hat
so ready and willing listener, and on,
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
warmed and comforted by the gentle
sympathy that shone in the face Of thi'
kind gentleman for my widowed ant
lonely condition.
AS usual. when my tongue ran aheaG
of my reason, was brought up shor
by the awkward consequence of thi!
impulsiveness of mine, and when
found that l was actually being con
soled by an entire stranger, my tardy
timidity took fright, and I should hav,
boaten q retreat If he had not antici
pated me.
81 think Jane is coming" he said
Il will 80 out for . walk. but ] hop
soon to see you again."
1 couldn't help smiling when b
smiled, 20 save my life. He caught NJ
his hat from the dresser, and went Il
the door.
"whJ, where arc You going, Johnp'
said Ja1e, upon the threshold.
I'm be back presently" hv said
and with another little nod to me, b
disappeared.
.TOthink Of that woman next doc
sticking . pin in her baby's eyer sal
Jane. "I declare to goodness, won
an thatwon't sew hooks and eyes o
buttons on her dress don't deserve +
have q babyr'
l fastened to turn sideways to Jane
My poor, dear Howard used to say ths
every embrace of his was 1t the risk q
being stabbed with pin or . needle
SO, to change the subject, I asked Jan
whOstho gentleman was that had Jus
WAY. tha&'s Brother john" mi,
Jane-s1rother John, from Long Isl
and. He's such home body cues
you've nev4k1eeh him before" Her
Jane paused I'd winked her eve a
me, and smiled Her smile was Xix
her Brother Johns, and lit up he
whole, face, - You see," Jane wen
1rol, bskinnai9 to mold her bread, bu
still nodding zand. winking ct me
Johns come down here for some
thin special My worst enemy couldn'
call me q matchmaker; but whe
/ see poor widow strugglin' along
ygasyAS 1oakssp the AeoN from the dooi
1 can't help takin' aninserest. There
nOthin' mean or cOntrivin' abou
me -"
I'm sure there isn't, Jane," I said