Sharp County record., 1881-04-07

makes me work, it is true, but he keeps
my air pure forme, and | am sure he is
my true friend.n
Then came talk of work, and most
delicately Mrs Edwards asked prices,
but Mrs. johnson had risen above senSi-
| tiveneSS and talked in the most matter
of-fact, quiet way, of work. Mrs. Ed
wards left in love with her and with the
beautiful Christian faith and love and
hope that could fill life. else so lone
and hard, so full of sweetness and beau
ty and happiness. Mrs, Edwards saw
her twice after. Then came word that
she was very sick, and in two days that
she was dead.
From one who had been a lifelong
friend of both Mrs. johnson and Mrs.
Writ, she heard the full particulars OF
that last four days of earth.
Il went to see her Saturday evening;
she looked somehow strange to me So
pale and yet so wondrously sweet. BY
dint of loving questions IgOt the truth"
80, if God would only take me
home! He bids me wait, and do try
to wait patiently, but l am so tired, so
tired of living"
"You do not look well, Or speak like
yourself"
She smiled and said, "My will is not
lost His holy will, you see that. ."
"Ar'n't you sick?n
She burst into tears. 81 am htnqry!
l have had only bread and salt for three
days
"Why havn't you told meP"
Z" could not"
81 thought Mrs. Writ kept you in
work and paid you good prices. She
has often told me so"
"She has kept me in work, but this
summer their expenses have been very
great, and she is, much of the time, out
of purse. She has always been so gen
erous to me, l did not like to ask her
for my pay"
"You ought to have"
81 did last week, and she gave me
all she had by her."
"How much was that?"
She smiled family. ga dollar"
"And how much does she owe you?"
"She is a good woman, and often
sent me ice cream and jellieS and deli
cacies from her own table,"
"That is not an answer to my ques-
ton. Hon. much does she one y0uy'
"Don't speak of it-S43. 80"
"What is forty-three dollars to her"
$50 little that she does not realize
how much it is to me-"
l took her home and fed her on the
best the house could of1er-indeed, had
extra for my Sunday dinner on her ac-
count. The result was al acute inlam-
nation of stomach and death.
Every day Mrs. Writ sent her flowers
and little nice things to eat, not q mouth
full of which she could eat in that dis
ease. After she was gone Mrs. Writ
said
" Beautiful saint! she is safe and hap
py now in mansion prepared for her
by the Son of God"
" Yes, and youand l sent her there" "
l said; "you starved and | crammed
her to death"
"What do you meanm she ex-
claimed, but was already sorry for
what | had said, and so made myself
too busy to talk. But after the funeral
she came here and insisted on an expla-
nation.
When l told her all she sobbed out
loud and said:
|, al did not thinh owed herso much,
or that she lived so close to her earn
ings. But that is no excuse, | ought !
TO haze k,aO,0n; my elegant home will
hereafter be haunted by that sweet,
starved face"
"She was only glad to 60. 1t was a
Joy to know she was dying. Entering
life, she called it. She would not come
back. Let us both think of her only as
bright saint, with a golden harp"
Only if could see her long enough
to ask her forgiveness. l would not
have her stay."
"She forgave, she more than forgave
you, She appreciated all your kind
ness
"My kindneSS."
"She understood it all, and loved
you"
"That makes it all the harder for
me to forgive myself"
She said, over and over, she should
never forget the lesson, and l kpO1O |
neUer shall.
"And am sure l never shall,n added
Mrs. Edwards, " how often
Evil is wrought by want of thought
As well as want of heart" "
N. Y. Observer.