The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-01-09

II could not answer him for choking
in my throat, but l laid down my knitting
and put my arm around him; and he looked
up into my face with something in his eyes
that l never forgot.
awe were getting ON well then. The
little house and garden were almost paid
for, and we thought that nowhere in the
world were happier people than we, or a
brighter, cozier home. My husband and
were always talking of this and that to
be done for Jack as soon as the last pay
ment should be made. But before the
money was due my husband came home
sick one day
"'Don't be frightened, Mary he said.
Il shall be better tomorrow
''But he only grew worse next day. 1t
was lung fever that he had, and for many
days we thought he must die Yet he raj
lied after a time-though he kept his
hacking cough-and sat up and moved
about the house, and at last thought him
self strong enough to take his place again.
But that was too much, for at the end of
the first week he came home and fell faint
ing, on the threshold.
"'It's no use, Mary he said, after he
came to himself Il can't run the engine,
and if / could, it isn't right for peoples
lives to be trusted to srch weak hands as
mine
"He never did any regular work after
that, though he lived .or year.
Consumption is a terrible disease, sir I!
To see one that you would give your hearts
blood to save slipping, slipping away be-
fore your eyes, and you helpless to hold him
back by so much as hairs breadth from
the black gulf of death ah, sir [ trust
you have never learned how hard it is
'Young as he was Jack was my stay
and comfort through that dark time. My
poor husband had matters in his mind that
he longed to speak to me about, but L al
ways put him off, for 1 could not bear to
listen to anything like his going away from
| us.
"But at last, the very day before the end
came, as [ sat by his bed holding his hand
in mine, he said, very gently but firmly,
MARY, wife, think you must let me speak
to you to-dayl'
II fell to crying as if my heart would
break, and he drew pitiful sigh that went
like sword through my breast; yet could
not stop the sobs Then Jack rose up from
the little stool where he had sat so quietly
that had almost forgotten he was there,
and came and touched me.
"'Mother dear motherp he said; and
as | looked l saw his face perfectly white,
but there were no tears in his eyes.
"'Motherr' he said again, please go
away for little while. l can hear what
father wants to say.
"You will think me cowardly, sir, but l
did as the child bade me- | left the door
ajar, and 1 could hear my husbands weak
voice. though could not understand the
words, and then my brave boys answers,
clear and low; not break or tremble IN
the sweet voice. And at last Jack said,
is that ALL dear father !? and, 'Yes, l will
be sure to remember it-every word 7
'Then he came out and kissed me with
almost smile, and went through the outer
door, But an hour afterward, when L
went out to the well, heard a little chok-
ing sound, and saw him lying on his face
in the long grass under the apple-tree sob
bing his very heart away. So L turned
about and went into the house as softly as
could, and never let him know.
"After it was all over and we had time
to look about us, we found some debts left
and very little money. 1t was a hard
thing for me, that had had for so long
strong, loving arm between me and every
care. to have to think and plan how to
make both ends meet, when L could not
even start evenly at the beginning. But
Jack came to my help again.
"'Father said that you were never to
work hard, dear mother, because you were
not strong, but that l must take care of
you some way. He thought you could let
two or three rooms to dodgers, maybe, and
that the best thing for me just now would
be to get train-boy's place. He said the
men on our road would be sure to give me
chance for his sake
II do not know that | had smiled before
since his father died, but when | heard him
say 'our road, in that little proud tone he
had, [ caught him to my heart and laughed
and cried together.
"'And 1 spoke to Mr.. Withers about it
only yesterday, he went on, 'and he said
that Tom Gray is going to leave, and can
have his chance and begin next week, if L
like. What do you say, dear mother?'
"'O Jackp 1 said, how can l get
through the long lonesome days without
you? And if anything should happen to
you, I should die
"Don't, motherp he said, gently, for
the tears were in my eyes again. But L
would not heed him.
"'And you to give up your school ! L
cried. and all our plans for you to come
to naughtp.
"'Father thought of that, too,. he an
swered. But he said that the whole world
belonged to the man that was faithful and
true. And | promised him. You can
trust me, mother?
"Trust him? All, yes he had struck
the right chord at last, and | lifted my
head and dried my tears. Whatever un-
seen dangers 1 might fear for my boy would
be of the body, not of the soul. Faithful
and true 2 thanked God and took cour-
age.
at was wonderful how he succeeded
with the books and papers, and the other
things he sold. There was something in
him that made him favorite with every
body. / have been told by more than one
that the sight of his frank, handsome face
was like sunshine; and that people bought
of him whether they wanted anything or
not.
"Well, the years went by, and he grew
up-working his way from one position to
another, on the road-trusted everywhere.
He was my own boy still, though he was
so tall and strong, with his bright curls
turned chestnut brown, and silken fringe
shading the lips that kept their old, loving
kisses for me alone.
at was not very long that he had had
the place of engineer, which he had wanted
so long He had day off, and was doing
some little things for me about the house
and garden, when one of the depot hands
came running up the.path calling for him.
"'Mr. Harding wants you instantly,
Jack 7 cried the man. The Jersey ex-