Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1885-03-26
HIS SONS WIFE.

When. after a prolonged resistance on the
part II the rate payers, the Schooi board at
length invaded the the suburb II Abney, y.
W. an. erected schools superior IN evers r.
spect tu those already existing in the perish,
th-r, was no one whom the change affected
NJ r, than it did old Reuben Sparrow. the
master o; the Free College for Boys. His
pupils Ia never liked him much, and now
they driYei of one by one till the imbit
tered ana sJrelv mortified man was com
l.elied 10 rGsign hi7 post.
Fortunately ne had saved enough to live
On; and SO, having no need to go in search
# fresh empl y ment, lie was able % devote
the lest pait of hi, time t. the studies in
which lac had formerly delighted
lie was now a man OF near 40 with bread,
tLuush rounded shoulders. AMI face that
wuuli nowhere pass unnotlcei. Deep fur
rows scored his forehead ami hrackete his
firmly closed mouth; spare white hair was
rushed unevelly about his head; beneath
heavy lrows p,ered out the pe laGosue's
ewes. alert. shrew.i. suspicious He was quick
to find fault, impatient Of ignorance, slow to
trust hard TO please, but-is there
not n saving clause in every nature.-he Nd
capable of strong, selfforzetting affection;
and the wife, who for forty years had been
his faithful helpmate, often said that she
had never an unkini word from him
His distress may b. imagined when one
day this cherishe; wife, who had frettei
herself into low state of health over his
recent humiliation, fell grievously i'll.
Reuben sent for the doctor. young man Fl,
the rir,t flush Of his professional gravity,
and dignity, who, after examining the
patient very carei ally, seated himself t.
write n prescription in ominCus silence.
Ruben watched him at once anNiously and
distruStfully.
What dost think Of her. young manlT he
a>kei. at last.
"She i in a very critical state, and ought
never to be left l, there no enc TO share
the nursing with your
Reuben threw up his bead sharply.
There isn't a woman in the place but 'ud he
pIoui t. be called to the bedside OF
nv Mary, but | won't trust any of
'em She ami /. we've always
done for one another, AMI l can't have a
medilesome neiglbor IN DOW
Have YOU no daug ntesT
None hut nv sons WIFE, and she's naught
hut trickci-out fool. Used to be a millin
er's gal, and learnt 10 dress the outside oi
her head instead o the inside. Got fine
long name like laiy'S, but don't know who
julius Caesar was, and calls the top OF pud
ding the bottom because ITS turned out low,
est-pOoh!
A sort of grim smile fickered acroS
Reuben'> face rs he made TINS last singular
charge against his daughter, tut il only
lasted mpmcn.
Tire old voman's had, tlcn!" he said. hi
eyes fastened ap?rehen>Ively Oh the doctors
fara
Il am afraid So SAID Mr.. Walters
sraveIy. i wouldn't refEs, / elp in the nurs
lng if | were YOU. You might regret 1t when
II WAS too late
let me alone, young mann scturtel Reu
ben fiercely. "D'ye think I'm no setter than
a silly womani I've got good head o. ms
shoulders, and my wife's m re O. me tran
she l. t. any one el-e. Ted me what ought
g lie DONE ami III do IL
Very well, Mr.. Sparrow sad the doctl
eolily; ~bu, remember thai you are human
and if sleep overtaSe yol just Nhel You are
most wanted, you viii be resp1nsIble :or tie
Consequences
lie gave several minute ,.irec:i Ms. snl
left the house, yexed q: R,uten's oh tnacy
But the next morning. when lie called, tls
sons wife was already installed by the pa
tents Del>iie. anu IDeil. Win Llft %
immense knowledge ami superiority. was
passing on to her instructions received by
him the previous dag.
Now. girl lift her bit. !. It, can't ye i
ii without sticking . stack Of hair iato her
eyesi Stand as.ie-a5w -ee!'
He put III, arms un ser toe old woman,
whose bieathing WAS quick an! diiicu.t, aai
cleveriy raisei her into an easier position
The doctor came forward, little curious
to see the disparsyed daughter in-law. AZ
far As exterior went. she answered. pretty
accurately to Reuben's description Of her.
having figure obviously moliei by tight
lacins. and a face shadow,i by quantity
Of black hair, lrla,ht down to her EYES.
Her clothes were uilsuiiahiy drsssy, ami on
the table lay a number OF cheap silver
bangles apparently taken oil at Eeubea's
direction But she had a pleasant. intelligent
smile. and bore her father in-laws structures
with a mo IsSty All good temper which
augure6 well for her readiness 70 submit 70
instruction and ~ pick up tho little devices
Of nursing upon which patients comfort
depends.
Old Mary Sparrow was much worse, and
Reuben. who turned his PENETRATING eyes
alternately upon her .Ace ami tie dOc:or's.
felt cheerei by he tier.
You look wara. Sir. Sparrow. Go and
lie down urged Mr. alters
Mind your own work. young man I'm
not your patient Row is SEQ