Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-10-11
I |

How did they falli Mr.. R3Ckabv henrd
that his Old friend, Ell GRAY, was very sick,
and he went at onCs to see him They had
been young together, aud had been friends
through sixty years. thick and thin
Once more, in thought they were BOYS
together. reviving old scenes, reteling old
stories and remembering old days.
It-was remarked that Eli Grays sickness
had done more to bring Liiah RDckaby
out of himself than anything that had hap
pened since Mrs. Rockaby died" And 50 it
had. 1t gave the stri ken Old man fresh
interest in life, some reason for putting
aside his sorrow-somethin to do in fact.
Though he did not neglect the cemetery, he
went daily, and sometimes oftener, to the
bedside of his old friend, and was slow To
leave.
In conversation these two white haired
pilgrims-both were now over SO-Clung
desperately to the past and beat steadily
away from the unknown future now coming
80 near Alas they had no neei to speak
Of this subject Each understood, without
words, all that the other had to say. Mr.
Rockaby understood only too well when, As
| he rose TO leave one evening, his cd friend
pressed his hand feelingly, and, with look
| in his ewes VIII ch cannot he put into words
said Good bye" instead of Good ight"
At this time Mrs. Carter was a member
| Of Mr.. Gray's family. She was remote
relative who had been solicited to come and
lend hand while there was sickness in the
| house She was an efficient person. with
| great faculty for doing more than She was
| asked to do Her friends never considered
/ her extra work admirable but they tol-
Grated her because she worked upon their
| sympathy. She was kind of appeal which
could not be ignored. She had been twice
married and twice widowed without ad-
vancing her fortunes in the least, and had
| just turned her Goth year.
As Mr.. ROckabv passed out she fol-
lowed him to the steps and begged him
| to remain. as she feared ''something
might happen before morning He was
we'll aware of the nearneSs OF that terrible
something but he would not stay. He
had not the courage 10 sac his Oil friend
start on that endless road
| Something did happen that night The
next day new grave was dug in the
churchyard and day later it bad tenant
| Mr.. Rockaby was bereaved again. This
intimats reno wal of an old friendship had
been much 10 him, and now all that re-
mained Of 1t was memory and grave.
| Thoughts like these were fitting through
his mind as he walked slowly down the
street one evening on his way to the post
| office, carrying a letter which had been
laboriously written by his trem bling haud.
Friendly words and hand shakes greeted
HIM every where. At the door Of the post
Office he was confronted by John Bolton,
who might be briefly described as fool
friend. Mr. Bolton had been out Of town
some months, and in conse quencs his
greeting was extrem ,ly loui and hearty.
And they tell me- he rattlei on, after
numerous hasty inquiries in regard to Mr..
Rockaby's health, that you're soon TO lie
married TO the Widow Carter. Now that's
the best thing you could possibly do and
congratulate YOU
| They tell you whatr said the dumb
founded old man, who was as nearly shocked
to death rs it was poss ible for mortal to he
and still Iva.
Why, they say you're engaged to marry
the Widow Carter"
Then they tell you what is not true,
John, said Mr., Rockaby, calmly, though
he came near fainting as he spoke" II
never thought OF such thing"
John Pelt0n went his way, burning good
natured incredulity at his stuauel friend