The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-12-06

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leaned his head on his hand, looking into
the GOALS. All at once
Mother, said he, isn't it wonder
full thing that God could trust men with
it?'
"'with what, Jack9'
"'With the steam-the power in it, /
mean! II was long time before he did.
But when the right time came, and some
body listened. then he told
"'Oh, motherr said he. with his eyes
shining, what must it have been to be
James Watt, and to listen to such Sc
cret as that!
"In q minute he spoke again.
"'And it's never safe to forget to lis.
ten, because we can't know when He
might speak, or what there might be to
hear
II could not answer him for choking
in my thvoat, but laid down my knit.
ting, and put my arm around him; and
he looked up into my face with some
thing in his eyes that never forgot.
"We were getting on we'll then. The
little house and garden we're almost paid
for; and we thought that nowhere in the
world were happier peopls than we, or
brighter, cozier home. Ny husband and
1 were always talking of this and that to
be done for Jack as soon as the last pay
ment should be made. But before the
money was due, my husband came home
sick one day.
"'Don't be frightened, Mary, he said.
I shall be better Tomorrow
But he only grew worse next day. 1t
was lung fever that he had, aud for
many days we thought he must die. Yet
he rallied after a time-though he kept
his backing cough-and sat up and
moved about the house, and at last
thought himself strong enough to take
his place again. But that was too much;
for, at the end OF the frat week, he
came homo and fell fainting on the
threshold.
"'It's OF no use, Mary, LIE said, after
he came to himself. i cant run the
engine, and, if could. it isn't right for
peoples lives to be trusted to such weak
hands as mine
HE never did any regular work after
that, though he lived for year.
"Young ae he was, Jack was my stay
|. and comfort through that dark time. My
poor husband had matters in his mind
that he longed to speak to me about; but
l always put him off, for could not bear
to listen to anything like his going away
from US.
"But at last. the very day before the
end came; as sat by his bed holding
his hand in my mine, he said very gently
but firmly. Mary, wife, I think you
must let me speak to you to-day
II fell to crying as if my heart would
break, and he drew pitiful sigh that
.,ork l;Lo oil INV hroo al Z.
yet I could NOT stop the sobs. Then
Jack rose up from the little stool where
he had sat so quietly that had almost
forgotten he was there, and came and
touched me.
"Mother, dear mother, he said and
- / looked saw his face perfectly white,
but then there were no tears in his eyes.
Mother, he said again, please 60
away for little while. I can hear what
father wants to say
"You will think me cowardly. sir, but
I did as the child babe me. left the
door ajar, and I could hear my hus-
bands weak voice, though could not
understand the words, and then my
brave boys answers, clear and low, not
break or tremble in the sweet voice.
And at last Jack said, is that all, dear
father?' and Yes, will be sure to re-
member it,-every word
Then he came and kissed me, with
almost q smile, and went through the
outer door. But an hour afterward,
when went out to the we'll, heard o
little choking sound. and saw him lying
on his facs in the long grass, under the
apple tree. sobbing his very heart away.
So turned about. and went into the
house ~ softly as could. and never let
him know.
'Aiter it Was ell over and We had time
to look about us, we found some debts
left and very little money. It was
hard thing for me, that had for so long
o strong, loving arm between ne and
every care, to have to think and plan
how to make ends meet. when could
not even start evenly at the beginning.
But Jack came TO my help again.
"Father said that you were never to
work bard, dear mother, hecause you
we're not strong, but that must take
care of you some way. He thought you
could let two or three rooms 10 dodgers,
maybe, and that the best thing for me
Just now would be to get train boys
place. He said the men on our road
would DO sure 70 give mo chance for
his sake"
81 do not know that had smiled be-
fore aimee his father died: but whom I
heard him say our road in that little
proud tone he had, caught him 70 my
heart, and laughed and cried together.
"'And spoke to Mr.. Withers about