Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1886-07-01
CHAPTER II.
MRS. TEMPLE DELIVERS A FAREWELL SER
MON ON LIFE.

MON ON LIFE.
Winter darkened OF apace, and while
the old woman's health more visibly de-
clined, Sophia was panied to find that she
would not allow the idea of death to near her.
From occasional remarks that she let fall, il
seemed that Mrs. Temple was willfully main
tanning this deiusion of returning strength,
with an undercurrent of conviction that she
was to die after all But to Sophia she always
spoke as if her recovery were a certainty
and she even said one day: Next year
shall go to Paris and the year after that TO
Vienna"
Mamma" Sophia said seriously, when Bhe
heard this extraordinary spec ch, next year!
and the year after that! Does it never strike
you how uncertain life is!n
"Of course life is uncertain, the old woman
replied briskly. II never knew the time
when it was anything else. But we must
make our arrangements, and then take our
chance You were taught to dance when
you were seven years old, although you would
not require it for nine years more, and life
was as uncertain then as now. Still, it would
never have done not to have taught you to
dance"
eyes, but when one Is weak and sick these
things seem to come nearer, don't they,
mammal" Sophia said with the greatest ten
derness .
"Seem to come, Sophyi They do come
nearer. Iwish they did not. But that is no
reason why we should bring them nearer still
by our own reflections and guesses."
"But, mamma" Sophia said, now resolved
to press the matter, fought we not at such
times to think little about the other world,
and prepare for it3'
prepare for the other world!" the old
woman exclaimed impatiently. "Tel me,
how shall we do it? You talk as il one could
make ready for the other world like flower
show or ball. don't know anything about
the other world. hope everything will be
right, but there is nothing can do"
"See clergyman, mamma" Sophia said.
growing timid before her mothers unwaver
| ing hardness. "See Mr. Knox. He is very
kind, am sure, and not the sort of man to
excite you."
avery well, Sophy." her mother retortcd
getting little flushed with excitement hut
speaking wi sarcastic se!f-represSion. "L't
us suppose Mr.. Knox comes to see me. 1 can
tell you what will happen He will have
bla k book with him, which at first he will
| try to keep out of sight, and he will edge it
into view as he is talking about the weather
Trat will be SIGNAL to me of what is COM
ing Then he will tegin by saying that this
is world full of pain and care and trouble :"
She hit off the clergyman's voice exactly,
but more, it seemed, from her old habit of
r'dicule than from any present wish to be
1ippant. "If l say what think, shall
| Not 4 nfst ~. 10 h,,.u L.
world enough, and never complained of it. ,
Then he will 60 on and talk about loving the
world. Well ought to say, 4 do love it,
and never more than now when am shut
out from it. Yes he will say, but
people ought to be serious 'Seriousr
shall answer. Believe me, the per-
son who produces one hearty laugh from
another does good in the world Serious, in
deedl give me round faces, not long ones
Won't this be improving talk, Sophy, and do
good to me and good to Mr.. Knox2 Then he
will talk about sickness being blessing, and
| if give him my mind I shall say that sick
ness is one Of the few things know which is
an unmitigated bother and perplexity. Won't
that make Knox whistle3 he will feel he
must put me down; and next he will say we
are all sinners What theni If say the
truth shall answer: 4 don't see it. Ihave
done my best in life. have not been a liar,
or thief, or cruel. Enjoyment came to me
and took it, and what q. fool should have
been if had not taken It'll But have tried
to be good mother and kind friend, and
though I don't mean to say that have not
often been in fault like other people, still
have never done anything to make fuss
about The Almighty won't judge Us for
mistakes and little slips of temper-that am
quite sure of. have always gone to church
when could, and il there Is any better way
to heaven than that don't know it, nor any
| body else So please. Sophy, don't have Mr..
Knox here; either say what do think and
shock him, or say what don't think, which
is not likely to do any good to anybody"
sBut, mamma" Sophia went on, "do you
never feel as il you wanted something better
than this wofldi It isvery happy and all
that while it lasts; but do you nsvcr wish,for
another?" g.
"Never, sophial" her mother replied, now
With distinct harshhess in her voice II have
told you hundred times. am satisfied
with tho world, and with other people. and
with myself tell you find only one fsult
with the woEld-I want IL to lest, and 1t
wsh't.h
This reply was delivered in . way that
finally closed the conversation, and Sophia
never dared again alfude to the subject.
December drew to its close, and she saw
that her mother Yves more and more decliAing
In strength, and tAat even her iAsatiahle ap-
petite for the world itself was departing.