The daily Cairo bulletin., 1883-11-20

hdlli hlckIy cTedtut. IL seemed 70 MIN that
abe never wished to eat, and only did 80 to
please him. He cut her food into small bits
and cntced her to take ii by pretending to
cry. Her hold on existence was like that Of
some air plant; every principle of life con-
tolnsd in the coarser elements was so much
death TO her.
I'm nightly afear'd of losin' hit," John
often ,aid to the widow. But he did not lose
her, as we shall see.
One night Sary Jane sat in the open doo
and watched for him. 1t was dark in th<
cabin, and dismal wind soughed mourn.
fully through the forest trees that grew up to
the very eaves. Had she been older she
might have been frightened or lonely; hut
she was neither She was simply intent on
seeing her dear friend. It was getting very
late. Sary Jane would relax her interest
lose herself momentarily in sleep; thet ie
would rescue her faculties to look out most
earnestly for few moments longer. Prs
emily she heard rustling among the grass,
and leaning forward cried eagerly, "Doni
DOM
Yes honey" answered faint voice.
Then there was the silence Of expectation,
an expectation not realized; for the baby
voice spoke again out of the deep hush of
listening Don't Doni'
And still no answer. Sobs began TO
tear their way from the long
waiting baby bosom, which swelled into
touching cry, mingled with Nanny
Nanny
The mother woke up and tried to take the
child from the door, which only increased
her screams. Then, somehow or other, she
knew that John was out there and could not
come IN. She lit candle, aroused the larger
boys and went out to where the poor fellow
was lying in pool Of his own blood, riddled
with buckshot
They got him In the house and on the bed.
They checked the flow Of blood from his
many wounds. He still breathed though he
was partly unconscious. In the morning
doctor came said there was no hope and
went away, About noon John opened his
eyes and looked around. The widow placed
Sary Jane close up where he could see her
He put his arm around her with difficulty;
then he looked from face to face; many
neighbors we're there. He tried to speak it
was evident he had something to say to
Deacon Wilson; but not until the heat of the
day had passed and the cool twilight had
come could he muster strength.
whats your 'pinion on the situation,
deacon" he asked.
The deacon said he hoped he would get
well.
No said John "this lays me out But
from your STANDPOINT, now, what do you
spoSe my chances over there Is WORTH I'm
I +ll-, E,,,tJ
"What is it about the - the stealn'
John"
"Stealin'" said John; az want stealn'.
| Why, look at this famerly not bit o meat in
the house. I was 'bleeged to hev it. I'd a
heap ruther be where am than In the tracks
Of the man that shot nle-heap ruther
Think Id kill feller critter for takin' the
Lords substance to feed such helpless things
as thism He pressed the baby closer to
him. why I'd be meaner than the devil
not to do it. S'pose don't know take my
/ life in my hands when start out after night
| to get grub: Course | know the resk. But
| what do you reckon the Lord 'ud say to me
if neglected my duty by 'em, Feed my
lambs them's His words; Feed my lambs
That's all right, deacon; my ways the Lord
never was a prayin' man, l don't know
nothin' about savin grace and it pears like
mought allowed the dear Redeemer better
than did. / can't believe as any on us is goin'
to be everlastinly lost. believe even them
pore cretures that boards up meat in houses
and has more flour and pertatus than they
can eat, and more clothes than they can war,
and more money than they can spend will
hev another chance after this life and will
eventually repent and get forgiveness But II
tell you, deacon, / want to 60 to heaven direct
| want to see the Lord. l want Him to
pint some ono in my place to take keer of
these heil gs mes / could'tdie if knowed
this little child would be left in want"
"You lack savin' grace, john" said the
deacon you must pray for forgiveness;
the Lord can pardon the vilest sinner that
ever lived through the power of prayer"
"But, deacon, amt no sins to forgive.
amt afear'd to face the Lord why, bless His
lovin soul, He was a man of sorrers Just
like Inc, and he's not goin' to shet His heart
agin me. | don't need to humble myself be-
fore Him. Him and mes had mighty close
understandin' for yers and yers Visit the
widders in their affliction, says He, and take
keer of the orphans. Feed my lambs, seq He,
and done it."
Works without faith,n says the deacon,
''are barren. Saving grace comes of prayer
and faith
81 amt never prayed none" said John and
it's too late now"
He turned his face away and fell asleep.
The watchers thought he would die about
midnight, but he slept quietly and painlessly,
and in the morning took some refreshment
He fingered three days, occasionally opening
his eyes and speaking to Sary Jane, who sat
perched close up to him the greater part OF
the time. She had her shoes and red stock
ings there with her. Almost the last word
he spoke was to call attention to her. 'Shes
mighty pale and peeked lookin'" he said
Bring me some grub and led Inc feed her,
They brought him some chicken cut in
small bits, Take bite. honey" he said
SIZE shook her head.
"John'll cry eff you DON'T He put his
poor, bloodless hand over his eyes.
She looked at him with show of anxiety
and opened her mouth like bird. But she
could not swallow the food ut chokes me
sroat, she said. Indeed, the little throat was
swelling with long repressed sobs Her pa
teut soul could hold out 10 longer against
the grief and anxiety that beset her.
Don't cry, honey" said John; ''cuddle
down to pore old John and let's both go to
sleep Mebby Wen wake up feelin better"