The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1883-11-24

ment should be made. But before th
money was due, my husband came hom
sick one day.
e Don't be frightened, Mary, he said
/ snail be better Tomorrow
But he only grew worse next day. I
]; was lung fever that he had, and fo
. many days we thought he must die. Ye
i ne rallied after time-though he KEEP
his hacking cough-and sat up anl
moved about the house, and at las
. tnought himself strong enough to take
his place again. But that was too much
for, at the end of the first week. be
came homo and fell fainting on the
threshold.
It's of no use, Mary, he said, afte,
he came to himself. I can't 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 a year.
Young as he was, Jack was nv stay
and comfort through that dark time. Nv
poor husband had matters in his mind
that he longed to speak to me about: but
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
put firmly, Mary, wife, I think you
must let me speak to You to-day
i fell to crying as if my heart would
Dreak, and he drew pitiful sigh that
went like sword through my breast:
yet l could not stop the sobs. Then
Jack rose up from the little stool where
ne had sat so quietly that I had almost
forgotten he was there, and came and
touched me.
Mother, dea1 mother, he said, and
as looked saw his face perfectly white,
Dut then there were no tears in his ewes.
Mother. he said again, please 90
away for little while. can hear what
father wants to say
You will think me cowardIy. sir. bnt
l did as the child bade me. I left the
door aJar, and could hear my hus-
bands weak voice, though I could not
understand the words, and then nv
brave boys answers, clear and low. not
break or tremble in the sweet voice |
And at last Jack said, is that all. dear |
fathery and Yes, will be sure TO re. |
mem Der it,-every word
Then he came and kissed me. with |
almost smile, and went through the |
outer door. But an hour afterward I
when l went out to the we'll. I heard a |
little choking sound, and saw him living
on bis face in the long grass, under the
apple tree, sobbing his very heart awav
30 turned about. and went into the
house as softly as I could, and never let
him know.
After it was all over and we had time
to look about US, we found some debts
left and very little money. It was a
hard thing for me, that had for so long
strong, loving arm between ME and
every care, to have to think and plan
now to make ends meet, when I could
not even start evenly at the beginning.
but Jack came to my help again.
Father said that you were never to
work hard, dear mother, because Won
were not strong, but that I must ia ke
care OF you some way. He thought YOU
could let two or three rooms to lodoers. /
maybe, and that the best thing for me
nst now would be to get train bows |
place. He said the men on our road
you'd be sure to give me chance for ,
lis sake.'' J
Il do not know that I had smiled be +
ore since his father died; but when I f
leard him say our road in that little a
'roud tone he had, caught him to NV | t
cart, and laughed and cried together. 9
And spoke to Mr. Withers abont
only yesterday. he went on; 'and he a
ald that Tom Gray is going to leave. b
nd L can have his chance and begin v
ext week, if like. What do you say. ii
80 jack I said, 'how can get 3
lrough the long, lonesome days with 81
~ you! And II anything should hap IL
an to you, should die!' Al
Don't, motherP he said gently. for
% tears were In my eyes again. But I in
ould not heed him. ot
And you to give up your schoolp / ar
me to naught!' o1
Father thought of that, too he an sa
'ered. But he said that the whole nc
orld belonged to the man that was f.,
lthful and true. And promised him ii,
'u can trust me motherp ch
Trust him? All. YES he had strnob
rlght chord at last, and lifted nv an
ad and dried my tears. Whatever nm. va
sn dangers I might fear for NV how Il,
'uld be of the body, not of the son1 VIA
althful and truer I thanked God and da
n ~ courage. inl
1T was wonderful how he succeeded ey
10 the books and papers and the other hu
ngs he sold. There was something in me
that made him favorite with to
'rybody.. have been told by more kn
N one that the sight of his frank. .
ldsome face was like sunshine. and ho
It people bought of him whether thew the
nted anything or not. wo
Wen, the years went by, and he grew ant
working his way from one position we
another on the road, trusted every Ian
ere: lie was my own boy still 9
ugh he was so tall and strong. with tha
bright curls turned chestnut brown ora
silken fringe shading the Inns roa
i Kept their old, loving kisses for me the
ne. ' 0A iie vi, S-.I
1t was not cry long that he had had pre-
place of engineer. which he had fait
nfed SO long. He had a dav off and live
; doing some little thicos for mo :,
,ut the house and garden. when one
he depot hands came running mn tbe 4.s us
b, calling for him. - VIC
Mr. Harding wants you instantly. 6ea
Z! cried the man. The JERSEY ex- lac
ss should have left the depot five min wh,
age, and the engineer has Just fallen fnl
Vn IN mt. Curtis aud Fitch are both 4.
on leave, and Mr.. Harding say, there's ban
'ody left but you that he'll trust with shv
train "A'A eny
II cried Jack, in a maze. .Tha sre gas
sey express And never drove anv- Sbe
ng but freight train p NO.
Well, we'll. cried the man impa. in !