The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1886-09-09
CHAPTER II.
MRS. TEMPLE DELIVERS A FAREWELL SER
MON ON LIFE

CHAPTER Ii.
MRS. TEMPLE DELIVERS A FAREWELL SER
MON ON LIFE.
Winter darkened on 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, it
seemed that Mrs Temple was willfully main
tanning this delusion 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 certainty;
and she even said one day: Next year
shall go to Paris and the year after that to
Vienna"
"l1amma," Sophia said seriously, when she
heard this extraordinary speech, 'next year!
and the year after thatl Does it never strike
you how Uncertain life s9"
'Of course life is uncertain, the old woman
replied briskly. II never knew the time
wien 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
nSt 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,
namma" Sophia said with the greatest ten
derness.
"Seem to come, Sophyl They do come
learer. WISH they did not. But that is no
1eason why we should bring them nearer still
BY our own reflections and guesses."
"But, mamma" Sophia said, now resolved
10 press the matter, fought we not at such
times to think little about the other world,
and prepare for it,"
"Prepare for the other worldl" the old
woman exclaimed, impatiently. "Tell me,
how shall we do itl You talk as if one could
make ready for the other world like flower
show or ball. I don't know anything about
the other world. / hope everything will be
right, but there is nothing I can do"
"See a 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"
'Vtry well, Sophy," her mother retorted,
getting little flushed with excitement, but
speaking with sarcastic self-repression. "Let
us suppose Mr. Knox comes to see me- can
tell ybu what will happen. He will have a
blachbook with him, which at first he will
try I'd keep out of sight, and he will edge it
into view as he is talking about the weather
That will he a SIGNAL to me of what is COM
ing. Then he will begin by saying that this
is World full Of pain and care and trouble"
She lit off the clergyman's voice exactly,
but hore, it seemed, from her old habit of
ridic1e than from any present wish to be
fippdt "If / say what I think, shall
answE, Not bit Of it; it is cozy, bright
worldenough, and never complained of it,
Tfen be will go ON and talk about loving the
world Well ought to say, Il do love it,
and lever more than now when | am shut
out rom it. Yes he will say, but
peopl ought to be serious 'Seriousp
/ shlll answer Believe me, the per-
son THO produces one hearty laugh from
anotlhr does good in the world. Serious in
deed 1give me round faces, not long ones
Wonl this be in proving talk, Sophy, and do
good 10 me and good to Mr.. Knoxl Then he
win tlk about Scknt So being blessing, and
If dve him my mini shall say that sick
ness one of the few things know which Is
an u Imitigated bother and perplexity. Won't
that make Knox whistlel He will feel he
musIput me down; and next he will say we
are bl sinnevs. What thenS II | say the