The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1878-11-21


turning of Mr.. tliggins's black panta~
looms. also saw that he was Of re-
markable pallor, and that the muscles of
his face were twitching in an alarming
manner.
"lIow DE do, Miss Eliza % he said,
"Where's your sister--where's Ni'let 7
hope didn't lrighten her she looked
so like them little things in the woods
they call after her, 80 sweet and fresh
like when the saps beGinnin' TO start in
the urliest spring, - meltin' with ="
How's your wife, Mr., Higgins ?" |
said abruptly, to bring him to his senses.
But it only precipitated matters
She's dead and buried, ma'am, this
six weeks and more, ana Betsy she's 4
keepin' House for mt; and b,in' quite
unstrung what with night-watchin' and
worry with one thing and tother, it
seemed to me had to come, whether or
no; a d says to Betsy, says |, thought
90? aud she says to me, 'ays shc, You
mought, aud the, sooner it's over with
the better and Betsy sensible woman,
Miss Eliza, az you will allow
"a very sensible woman, Mr., Higgins;
and now may inquire thcnAlure OF your
business with meY'
"rne uatur' OF my business?' he re-
pe?ted, sinking into chair, twirIing bis
hat between his knees, and looking al
the carpet "Why, hasn't NTlet told
you? hope to the Almighty nothin's
goin' to UPSET me now. I've been 5)roIy
stricken, and my head feels dreadiully
skittish. thought she'd told you-she
said she would There amt no manner
o use shilly sballying. Ni'Iet kin hey
stacks of money; she needn' I raise Il hand.
You kin come and make it your home
year in and year out; aud as tor me, I'll
be her bDunden slave"
"Mr. Higgins" | began sternly; but
suddenly he raised his head and looked
at me and | saw something in his face
that paralyzed the indignant words upon
my lips. The pupils OF his eyes were
strangely diIatcd; from pale he had be-
come livd. One rash word from me at
that moment might have cost untold in-
convenience and trouble.
81 hope to tn Almighty nothin'- gOin'
to upset me now, he repeated pteuusIy.
"Mr. Higgins" said, gentIy "you
are not well, and Violet is startled and
surprised. You want to be gentle with
her, don't you?'
Surely, ma'am, surely"
Dwell, | give you my word, Mr., lllg-
gins, that it you go quietly home again
everything shall be right, and you shall
hear from Violet without delay"
Thank YOU" ma'am, he said, but
made no effort to move. "Why, here ;
the very posy that fell out OF her hair, ~
he said taking it tenderIy in his hand,
You can take that with you" said.
"We must 90 now. lie was scarcely
fit to 90 alone. 1--WE must go now"
repeated, not without some misgiying
but he got upon his feet and went with
me out OF the room. His steps were
shaken. | called hack that was pass
ing, and catching my hat and water.
proof from the rack in the hall, we rat.
tied away just as | saw the tall form OF
Mr.. Baxter appear in the distance.
| racked my brain all the way to the
depot how to get wretched man safely
home. He had been cold and white;
now he was hot and red his teeth chat
tered. Never, never was one poor, dis
tracted mortal 50 glad to see another, as
when put my delighted eyes upon Betsy
Crouch. There she sat in The corner OF
the depot, a chubby covered basket by
her side suggestive of res,oratives by the
way, her whole face beaming with good.
will to her tell, w-creatures.
"God bless you, Betsy | said.
Here is Mr.. Higgins. He is very sick.
How you will get him home | don't
know"
"Oh, bless your soul, I'll manage it.
| took good care Of that when we started
He was so sot and determined to come,
nothin' would do but to humOr him;
but we'll get along nicely now. The
train'll be here in little while"
sat down by Betsy's side, and waited
till she had given poor Higgins some
domestic wine and some drops from a
bottle she had with her, and finding he
was quiet, made good use OF the few
minutes left us, and opened my heart
to Betsy Crouch.
8" For Heavens sake, Betsy" ! said,
"put this wicked thought from his mind
at once and forever"
"There's nothin' to hinder his mar
ryin' agin," said Betsy.
No, no." | replied; bat lei uim be
careful this time to manage it hap,
pity"
"Surey, Surely" said Betsy; and
presently they steamed sway.
When | reached home Mr. Baxter was
in the parlor with Violet, but she pleaded
u headache and soon came up to me.
"What did you DO with him?' she
cried. al have been in an .1ny OF
fear. believe he is out OF his mind, -
every nearly so, Violet; but he is safe
with Betsy"
Then | told her all about it, and the
poor child was wholly subdued Tor the
next thirty.six hours. Every ring OF
the bell made her tremble, a tap at the
door sent the cIlor from her cheeks.
At last we go! Dews that Farmer Higgins
was safe in bed with nervous fever the
issue OF which Betsy left in her com
Portable way to Providence. Violet was
married the following month. aud only
yesterday came my first news rom the
mountains. Providence was bOuntilul.
His benificence not only extended to
proIongiug the farmers life, but hitched
it to Betsy's as q happy sa eguard for the
future.
"Its raspberry time" writes Betsy.
"and the yield is most uncommon. The
holIyhocks il as double rs roses this year,
and John and and the children aud all
hands want YOU TO come up aud stay as
long IS you ke without payin' no board
OF any kind
The good woman mentioned my favor.
ite f,uit and flower. | am sally worn
and disspirited; the breath of the noun.
tain air would be as the balm OF Gilesd.
A