Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-05-22
Gales aud Sketfhes.


Il
N. W.. and erected schools superior y
every respect to those already existing n
the parish. there was no one whom I'M
change affected more than it did old Ken
ben Sparrow, the master of the Free Col
lege for Boys. His pupils had never liket
him much. and now they dropped of ont
by one. till the embittered and sorely
mortified man was compelled to resign
his post.
Fortunately he had saved enough to livs
on and 50, having no need to go in search
OF fresh employment, he was able to de
vote the best part of his time to the stud
les in which he had formerly delighted.
He was now man of nearly seventy,
with broad. though rounded shoulders
and a face that would nowhere pass IN.
noticed. Deep burrows scored his fore
head and bracketed his frmly-closeC
mouth sparse, white hair was brushed
unevenly about his head; beneath heavy
brows pedagogue's eyes, alert. shrewd
suspicious. He was quick to find fault
impatient of ignorance, slow to trust, hard
to please, butts there not saving
clause in every nature 2-he was capable
Of strong. self-forgetting affection; and
the wife who for forty years had been his
faithful helpmate, often said that she had
never had an unkind word from him.
His distress may be imagined when one
day this cherished wife who had fretted
herself into a low state OF health over his
recent humiliation, fell grievously i'll.
Reuben sent for the doctor. young man
| in the first flush of his professional gravi-
ty and dignity, who. after examining the
patient very carefully. seated himself to
write prescription in ominous silence.
Reeben watched him at once anxiously and
distrustfully. 49,
"What dost think of her young man ?''
He asked, at last.
! "She Is In a very critical state, and
ought never to he left. Is there no one to
share the pursuing with you?"
Reuben threw up his head sharply.
There amt a woman in the place but 'ud
be proud to be called to the bedside of my
Mary, but l won't trust any OF 'em. She
and /, we've always done for one another,
and ! can't have a meddlesome neighbor
in now"
Have you no daughterp"
"None but my sons wife, and she's
naught but a tricked. out fool. Used to be
miliner's gal, and learned to dress the
outside of her head instead of the inside,
Got fine long name like a lady's, but
don't know who Julius Caesar was, and
calls the top of pudding the bottom be-
cause it's turned out lowest-pooh ~
A sort of grim smile Aickered across
Reuben's face as he made this last sIngu-
lar charge against his daughter, but it
only lasted moment.
THE old woman's bad, then P" he said.
his eyes fastened apprehensively on the
Doctors face.
II am afraid so." said Mr.. Walters
gravely. II wouldn't refuse help in the
nursing if were you. You might regret
it when it was too late.
"Let me alone, young man! ~ retorted
Reuben, fiercely. Dye think I'm no
better than a silly woman? I've got a
good head on my shoulders, and my wife's
more to me than she is to any one else.
Tell me what ought to be done and III do
it."
very well, Mr.. Sparrow" said the
doctor. coldly; "but remember that you
are but human, and ifsleep overtakes you
just when You are most wanted. you will
be responsible for the consequences.
He gave several minute directions, and
left the house, vexed at Reuben's OBJ.
stinacy. But the next morning, when he
called the sons wife was already installed
by the patients bedside, and Reuben. with
an immense knowledge and superiority,
was passing on to her the instructions re-
ceived by him the previous day.
Now, girl, lift her bit. Lor! can't
We do it without sticking stack of hair
into her eyesp Stand aside-now see p
He put his arm under the old woman
whose breathing was quick and difficult,
and cleverly raised her into an easier pos.
ition.
The doctor came forward. "a little curious
to see the disparaged daughter-in-law As
for as exterior went, she answered pretty
accurately to Reuben's description of her
having figure obviously moulded by tigh,
lacing, and face Swallowed bv quantity
of black hair. brought down to her eyes.
Her clothes were unsuitably dressy. and
on the table lay number of cheap silver
bangles, apparently taken off at Reuben's
direction. But she had pleasant, intelli.
gent smile. and bore her father-in- law s
structures with modesty and good temper
which augured we'll for her readiness to
submit to instruction and to pick up the
little devices of nursing upon which pa.
TENTS comfort depends.
Old Mary Sparrow was much worse,
and Reuben. who turned his penetrating
eyes alternately upon her face and the
doctors, telt cheered by neither.
"You look worn, Mr.. Sparrow. &c
and lie down." urged Mr.. Walters.
mind your own work young man. I'm
not your patient. How's she Pr
Mr.. Walters did all he could for the sick
woman. and then, drawing Reuben out Of
the room, broke to him as gently as he
could the certainty that his wife could no,
live many hours. Rueuben would not be.
lieve it, and gave vent to expressions o.
savage contempt for the whole race o.
doctors.
But next day poor old Mary died. and
the stricken husband shut himself up tc
be alone with his grief. Even at the funer
al he would not exchange word with the
many kindly mourners who gathered
around the grave.
The following morning. however. be
sent for his son and daughter-in-law. and
their little boy.
''Gwendoline,' he said. more gently
than usual. you did your best for her
You're worth more than | thought. We'd
better all live together"
''Of course, father" said his son. hear.
tily; "well make you comfortable. and
Gwen will try and take mothers place. y
keep sensible tongue in your head