The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-07-25

books about machinery and steam. Such an
odd child as he was, with thoughts Ear be-
yond his years. Sometimes, sitting here by
myself, go over in my mind the strange
things he used to say to me in those days.
81 remember that one evening he had been
reading for long time in some book that he
had got out of the public library; but by-an-
by he stopped and leaned his head on his
hand, looking into the Goals. All at once:
"'Mother, said he, isn't it wonderful
thing that God could trust men with itP
"With what, Jsck2'
"'With the steam-the power in il, 1
meant 1t was long time before he did.
But when the right time came, and some
body listened, then he told.
40 motherP said he, with his eyes shin
ing, what must it have been to be James
Watt, and to listen to such a secret as
thst1'
ain minute he spoke again.
"'And it's never safe TO forget to listen,
because we can't know when He might speak,
or what there might be to hearP
"I could not answer him for q choking in
my throat, but laid down my knitting and
put my arm around him; and he looked up
into my face with something In his eyes that
/ never forgot.
''We were getting on we'll then. The lit
tie house and garden were almost paid for,
and we thought that nowhere in the
world were happier people than we, or
brighter, cosier home. My husband
and / we're always talking OF this and
that to be done for Jack IS soon as the
last payment should be made. But be-
fore the money was due my husband came
home sick one day.
Don't be frightened Mary" he sid, 81
shall be better tomorrow"
"But he only grew worse next day. 1t
was lung fever that he had, and for many
days we thought he must die. Yet he raj.
lied after time-though he kept his hack
ing cougb-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 first
week he come home and fell fsinting on the
threshold.
ats of no use, Mary" he said, after he
came to himself. al can't run the engine,
and if l could, it isn't right for peo-
pies lives TO be trusted to such weak hands
as miner
He never did any regular work after that
though he lived for year"
Consumption is terrible disease, sirl To
see one that you would give your hearts
blood to save slipping, slipping away before
your eyes, and you helpless 10 hold him back
by so much as q hairs breadi from the black
gulf of death; sh, sir l trust you have never
learned how hard it isl
"Young as 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 1 always
put him of, for could not bear to listen to
any thing like his going away from US.
But st last, the very day before the end
came, as / sat by mis- bel holding his hand in
mine, hesaid, very gently but firmly: "Msry,
wife, think you must let me speak to you
to-sayP
81 fell to crying as if my heart would
break, and he drew pitiful sigh that went
Ike sword through my breast; yet could
not stop the sob1. Then Jack rose up from
the little stool where he had sat so quietly
that had almost forgotten that he WAS
there, and came and touched me-
''MOther, dear motherP' he said; and as l
locked saw his face perfectly white, but
there were no tears in his eyes.
"MotherP he said again, please 60 away
for little while. L can hear what father
wants TO saw
"You will think me cowsrdly, sir. but 1
did as the child babe me. l left the door
sjsr, and | could hear my husbands weak
voice, though l could not understand the
words. and then my brave boys answers
clear and low not break or tremole in the
sweet voice And at last Jack said: rs that
all, dear father2 and Yes 1 will be sure to
remember it-every world
"Aiter ii was oil over and we had time to
look about US, we found some debts left and
very little money. 1t was hard thing for
me- that had had for so long strong, loving
arm between mo and every care, to have TO
think and plan how to make ends meet
when L could not even start evenly at the
beginning. But Jack came to my help
sgsin.
Father said that you were never to work
hard, dear mother, because you were not
strong, but that must take care of you some
way. He thought You could let two or three
rooms to dodgers may be, and that the best
| thing for me Just now would be to get train
| boys place. He said the men on our road
would be sure to give me chance for his
| sake.
"'I do not know that had smiled before
/ since bis father died, but when ! heard him
say our road, in that little proud tone he
had, caught him to my heart and laughed
and cried together.
"'And 1 spoke to Mr.. Withers about j.
only yesterday he went on, and he said
that Tom Gray is going to leave and L can
have his chance and begin next week, if
like. What do you say, dear motherr'
go JackP l said, how can get through
the long, lonesome days without your And
ifsnything should happen to you, should
| dep
"'Don't motherP' he said. gently, for tn,
tears were in my eyes again. But l would
not heed him.
land you to give up your schoolP cried
And all our plans for yeu to come Il
| naughtP
Father thought of that. too" he ans wsred
But he said the whole world belonged Il
the man that was faithful and true. AND
promised him. You can trust me, mo.h
err"
.'Trust him7 All, yesl he had struck tn
right chord at last. and lifted my head sns
dried my tears. Whatever unseen danger
might fear for my boy would be OF ID
body, rot of the soul, Faithful and trueI'
thanked God and took courage.
at was wonderful how he succeeded witt
the books and papers al the other things b.
sold. There was something in him that msi
him q fsvorite with every BODY. l have besl
told by more than one that the sight of hi
rank, handsome face was like sunshine, an
that people bought of him whether the
wanted anything or not.
"Well, the years went by and he grew u