The Sentinel. [volume] (Trenton, N.J.) 1880-1882, 1880-10-23
PRESENCE OF MIND,

L have always been celebrated for my
presence of mind in emergencies.
Grandfather used to say that he never
had girl who was not afraid of mouse
Or spider, and how mothers daughter
ever came to be so brave he couldn't
guess. That was before I married, and,
Of course, have not become timid with
advancing years.
l am Mrs. Jasper Jackman my hus-
band is, of course, Mr.. Jackman, and
our place is known as Jackman's Nook.
Nook, indeed! If there was corner to
the world, I should fancy it was put
away in that, for it is the most out-of-
the-way habitation that ever existed.
It is, indeed. You can't see it until you
are within fifty feet of it, for the trees
and the nasty rocks.
$50 romantic!" people say. call it
miserably lonesome.
Now, you know I'm not the least bit
nervous. but, having lived with father
and mother and the rest all my life,
did not enjoy being shut up all alone
like a-a-a-well, hyena in menag-
erie, while Mr.. Jackman attended to bust
ness in town; and I often thought if
house-breakers were to make an attack
upon the house, what should I do, a
poor little woman, with no one to call
upon? For count Bridget as great
cipher in every occasion Of life that does
not involve soap-suds.
told Jasper that absolutely, if I had
known what place Jackman's Nook was,
I was not sure but that I should have
thought twice before refusing old DIR.
Muligitawny, whose palatial residence is
on Fifth avenue, New York city, as, Of
course, everybody knows.
However, after you have once said
eyes" to the gentleman who "pops" the
question to you, you may say ''no" ever
after to all other questions, for all he
cares, for he'll have his own way al
ways.
Mother-in-law Jackman having made
Jasper promise that I must live always
at the Nook was considered unanswera-
BILE and, after all, what could we do !?
No one would hire or buy the place, and
we had it on our hands. Of course we
lived there. I always knew that doing
SO would be the cause Of my showing the
presence of mind for which [ am cele
brated in my own family-if nowhere
else. And so it came to pass.
One stormy night In November, In the
year 1S63-it was the 4th, think, for
baby was just year old on the LIST, and
there was some of the cake I had made
for his "bressed title birfty birthday "
still left in the pantry, and cake Of
that size certainly never would last
longer than that in our house. 1t was
he most unpleasant day I ever remem-
Der to have lived through. The ground
was soaked. The bare branches looked
like SO many skeletons, and the sky was
the color Bridget's tin pans were when l
first got down stairs this time last year.
In the city it would have been some
fun to sit in the window and watch the
folks go past, looking like so many
drowned rats, but at the Nook q should
think it was nook there was nothing
to be seen-absolutely nothing.
I had not book which l had not
read, and the note-paper was out, Tor
Jasper had forgotten to bring me some
from the city. and had finished all my
sewing.
spent my time as best could; but
how I did wish that the regiment which
was encamped about half mile away
was near enough for me to watch them
drill if they do drill in such weather.
I'd thought them too near before on ac-
count of Bridget, whom l have caught a
score of times talking to men IN blue
jackets at the gate, and wished them Oh
to the seat of war, or anywhere else,
over and over again; but that afternoon
what relief they would have been!
I was the more lonely that Jasper ha
said that morning, "My dear, if itralnf
as it does now tonight, sha'n't come
home, but will stop at your fathers. p"