Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1882-03-23

BLACK Regis Dy the nrSt tram; but was
afraid that should offend Bess if I re-
fused to accept her invitation. 1 there
fore determined to stay.
[ found Bill rough-and ready honest
fellow, like the general class of people
inhabiting such districts. But he had
not the natural sagacity and shrewdness
of Bess, who was literally his shelter
half" He knew this, too, and looked
up to her as superior being. During
her temporary absence, he said, proud
ly: ''She's a good I'm, is Bess, sir; an
she's more in her head than a good
many as thinks they're clever. Saved
my life too, sir. All! she's good I'M,
is Bess!"
And l quite agreed with Bill.
Other six months elapsed before
once more set foot in Black Regis. Ny
first impulse was to walk straight to the
hut of Bess; but remembering that, on
the occasion of my former visit, l had
received much valuable information re-
speeding her from the landlord of the
Rising Sun, | determined to pay pass
ing visit to ascertain if anything unusual
had occurred during my absence. In
reply to my query GLOW is Bess?" the
face of the landlord became at once sor-
rowful and distressed, and then learned
for the first time that poor Bess was
dead.
In disjointed fashion, l managed to
CLEAN the following facts from my in
formant. Some months after my last
visit, a great event occurred in the
Thomson househould-a son and heir
was born to Bill. Of course, there was
great rejoicing in Black Regis. Every
body. in the place took an active interest
in the affair, and discussed the future
prospects of the little stranger over
pipes and beer, and at house corners, as
keenly as though some event of national
Importance had TRANSFERRED. Bill was
peculiarly excited: Bess was calmly
happy. Only one feeble complaint she
uttered when informed that the child
was boy: cpd rather it had been
gal; men is such fools,'
After this she settled down to the in
evitable with good grace, showing great
affection for the little life thrown
upon her care. A few days after the
occurrence, Bill, who had been staying
at home to wait on his spouse, went to
his work again as usual, leaving Bess
with her child dependent upon the
friendly assistance of kindly neighbors.
AS the evening came, Bess grew per-
ceptibly anxious. Could she have spoken
her fears, she would have said she was
wondering if Bill would be tempted by
his mates to take drink on the joyful oc-
caSiOn of the birth of his child. She
knew he was not hard to persuade when
surrounded by friends, and besides it
was a recognized custom to drink the
health of a child when it was born. Bess
did not say anything to the neighbor
who came in to attend to her, but she
was terribly anxious nevertheless. The
time for his appearance passed, and the
shades of the autumn evening fell. Still
he did not come. Should she ask some
one to go and inquire for him? No! she
must not let them think she doubted
him. He would come all right yet.
Something had happened at the works
to detain him. The suspense grew ter
rible She could bear it no longer. Ex-
element gave her strength. Rising from
her bed, and leaving the infant asleep
there, she with some difficulty pulled
on her clothes. She was lettering feebly
toward the door, when her straining
ear caught the sound of muffied cry.
She had heard that cry once before. It
caused her heart to leap and the blood to
course like fire through her veins.
Strung up with the energy of a strong
soul reused by the cry of duty and dan.
ger, she sprang to the door and rushed
wildly out into the chill darkness of the
deepening night. Straight to the dan
gerous pool of the canal she staggered
with peculiar instict bred of fear, and
the remembrance of former experience
there. AS she reached the edge of the
bank, she saw clenched hand disap-
pearing beneath the surface of the mud
stirred water, and needless of all but the
one fact of her husband drowning there,
she plunged wildly in and clutched
the horny fingers with a desper-
ate grasp, and with almost super
human strength succeeded in dragging
the unconscious Bill to the sloping edge
of the canal. Having accomplished
this, her poor human nature could do
no more. With a feeble cry for help,
she sank down in the shallow water ex-
hausted and insensible. Hearing her
cry, two or three neighbors rushed to
the spot, and quickly carried the hus-
band and wife to their humble abode.
With great promptitude and care they
attended to poor Bess, and sent for the
DOCTOR to attend to Bill.
Butfor Bill it was too late. The strong
nan had breathed his last. They dared |
not tell Bess, for fear the shock should |
De too much for her. Bills body was
.emoved to a neighbours house, while |
The doctor set about measures to pre-
rent serious consequences to the de-
7oted wife. But alas! no medicine
could avail. The shock had been too
severe. In few hours she was deliri-
JUS and in a raging feeer. The burden
If her ravlngs was Bill. 81 never see
such fool as Bill. He.ain't no more
sense than child. Ha! my little pet.
All! I wish he'd been gal, men is such
ools. You promised me you'd swear
IF the drink, an here you 60 foolin'
lround, an fallin' into the canal"
Then suddenly changing, and speaking
o the doctor. "Sh-h h! Don't let
Bill know as I'm dying. He's such a
DOL, an 'ull carry ON so. Tell him l
hall get better. But when [ do 60,
make him promise to take care o. the