The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-01-13

And his little children always had each newest
kind of toy;
Joe said we've only got one life, and that we
should enjoy"
He leased modest cottage, and always paid his
rent,
Although he might have bought it with the
money that he spent,
But he used to say to Mollie, "Oh, never mind,
my dear,
Wen have our own home some day. of that you
needn't fear"
And then he'd fondly kiss her and take her on
his knee,
And she would say, Don't worry, Joe, I'm
happy as can be.
But. Joe, can't help wishing-I wish it every
day,
That you would try and quit the road and in the
It's pretty hard, my darling, to have you leave
While You are off so far from me- and from the
children dear;
And little Charley said to-day, the cunning little
toad,
Mamma, wish ood make papa twit doein on de
road"
But Joe said Little Moilie, 1 wish as much as
you.
That 1 could quit but little one, don't know
1 really can't remember how many trips I've
made.
And when mao once travels, it's hard to change
his trade,
But some day will STOP and the balance of my
I'll spend here with the babies and you, my little
Now, it happened that next day, as Joe went to
the store,
He met fellow tourist, who like himself was
Aud he said: "why. hello, Joseph, feel quite
rich to-day,
just have Joined the order that they call the
And now feel much better, for If lose my life,
I'll leave little something to help along my
wife.
There's fifteen hundred dollars that she is sure
And that win keep the wolf away, Ell, Joe, well
yes. you bet"
And then Joe said that he had thought of joining
But somehow put 1T off, because he felt SO well
and strong,
But he guessed he'd not wait longer. and
they turned about,
An d going to the Office filled Joe's application
Well, Joe soon got examined, and two weeks
from that day,
Was regular full-fedged member of the order
c. T. A.
When Joe went home that afternoon he thought
that he would tell
His little wife about The fact, but a ringing of
Before. he had got seated, took him quickly to
And a messenger informed him he was wanted at
1t seems some customer had failed, and Joe with
out delay,
Must go and fix the matter up-he went that very
And in the getting ready, he quite forgot to tell,
A word about the matter, to the wife he loved so
Joe started off quite happy, his heart and spirits
light,
And never once suspectng what would come to
him that night,
But oh. how little can we tell Of trouble that's
ahead.
That night the train was badly wrecked ana J oe
picked up for dead
'Twere just as well if he had died. His faithful
Was egraphed, and quickly went to try and
save his life,
But poor Joe lay unconscious and never spoke
again,
Altho he fingered many days through agony and
pain.
At laat one balmy morning, just at the dawn of
Joe's noble heart stopped beating and his spirit
passed away.
Poor little Mollie how she wept, when first she
realized
That cruel death had robbed her of the husband
And thar her little darlings had now no fathers
them from harm.
And gloomy was the little cot. and Grape hung
on the door,
But oh, Row many came to her. alike the rich
and poor,
And spoke to her SO tender and dropped silent
tear,
Upon the wreath of flowers that laid on poor
Joe's bier,
For all the deeds Of kindness that poor dead Joe
had done,
Were treasured and remembered when his noble
soul had flown.
well, the funeral was over, the 'b0y6" with SOL
emn tread,
Had stood around his lonIey grave with flowers
for the dead.
And Molle, half heart broken, sat silent in her
room,
And tears were in her eyes and her heart was
full of gloom,
For she knew full we'll, poor creature, her money
all spent
She'd paid her bills and didn't have enough to
pay her rent;
Aud the bitter tears dropped faster as she looked
around her home,
And knew that she must leave il and like a wan
derer roam,
And she thought of her Door children without a
father now.
With nothing to support them, and she made
solemn
That she would educate them If she had to toll
and slave,
And she prayed to God to help her, and make her
strong ami brave.
Then sheewent to kiss her babies and just was
bending DER,
When suddenly knocking heard at the
front door,
And two strangers came in gently and took her
by the hand
And said: Poor Joe, your husband is in the
spirit land,
But we are all his brothers, and we have brought
yOn this
Your husbands life insurance. it will not come
arss
Here's fifteen hundred dollars, that we are proud
to give,
Twill helpyou raise the babies as you would have
them live"
And then poor Mollie started and gazed with
glad surprise,
And said, 81 thank you--thank you"-but the
tears were in her eyes,
And her voice was choked with sobbing, and she
hurriedly said "GoOd by"
And then she thanked the Father with His great
al-seeng eve,
For putting in Joes heart by His power from
above,
The will TO do this thoughtful act, this last best
act of love.
For Terre Haute, response was made by MI.
Edwin o. Boyle, as follows:
RESPONSE OF MR.. o'BoYLE
AT a very large and enthusiastic meeting of
six Of Terre Haute's travelling men, l was
chosen to respond to this toast. This was
brought about principally by the Vaccinations
Of the man who performed the duty last year,
and did it well-so well, indeed, that we wanted
him to do it again. But "no" said he, cit will