, 1883-06-30
said to me more than once.

engine, Jack could run her through
without a break ?
"IIe was in school and learning
fast, but out Of hours he was always
studying over books about machin-
cry and steam. Such an odd child
as he was, with thoughts far beyond
his years ! Sometimes, sitting here
by myself, 60 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 fora long time in
some book that he had got out OF the
public library but by-an-by he stop
ped and leaned his head on his hand,
looking into the Goals. An Al once.
Mother said he, isn't it a won
derful thing that God could trust
men with ii? r.
With what, Jack?
"'With the steam-the power in
it, | mean 1t was long time be-
fore He did. But when the right
time came, and somebody listened,
then he told.
40 mother ? said he, with his
eyes shining, what must it have
been to be James Watt, and to listen
to such a secret as that%
"In a 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 hear!
81 could not answer him for a
choking in my throat, but l 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.
eve were getting on well then.
The little house and garden were al
most paid for, and we thought that
nowhere in the world were happier
people than we, or a brighter, cOsier
home. My husband and were al
ways 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, Il shall be better Tomorrow
"But he only grew worse next day.
1t was a lung fever that he had, and
for many days we thought he must
die. Yet he rallied after a time
though he kept his hacking 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 first week he came home
and fell fainting on the threshold.
IT'S Of no use, Mary he said,
after he came to himself. Il can't
run the engine, and If ! could, 1t isn't
right for peoples lives to be trusted
in such weak hands us mine =
"IIe never did any regular work
after that, though he lived for year.
Consumption is terrible disease,
sir! To see one that you would give
your hearts blood to save slipping,
slipping away before your eyes, and
you helpless to hold him back by 50
much as hairs breadth from the
black gulf Of death; ah, sir ! trust
you have never learned how hard it
is
"YOung as he was, Jack was my
stay and comfort through that dark
time. My poor husband had matters
on his mind that he longed to speak
to me about but l always put him of,
for could not bear to listen to any
thing 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 mine, he said,
very gently but firmly: Mary, wife,
/ think you must let me speak to
you to-dayp
~ fell to crying as If my heart
would break, and he drew a pitiful
sigh that went like a sword through
my breast yet could not stop the
sobs. Then Jack rose up from the
little stool where he had sat so quiet
ly that / had almost forgotten that
he was there, and came and touched
me.
Mother dear mother ? he said;
and as looked / saw his face per-
fectly white, but there were no tears
W his eyes.
'Motherp he said again, please
go away for little while. 1 can
hear what father wants to say
"You will think me cowardly, sir,
but l did as the child babe me. l
left the door ajar, and could hear
my husbands weak voice, though !
could not understand the words, and
then my brave boys answers, clear
and low; not a break or tremble in
the sweet voice. And at last Jack
said is that all, dear father? and
'Yes, will be sure to remember it
every word ?
"After it was all 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 a strong, loving arm
between me 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.
3" Father said that you were never
to work hard, dear mother, because
you were not strong, but that l must
take care Of you some way. He
thought you could let two or three
,.,.o,,,g g., IoIo.ors ,,,o,, L. ..I Al