The Pascagoula democrat-star., 1886-03-05
ONLY ONE KILLED.
On Whom the Blow Fell / IT'S
Better | Than Another"

Old Nurse Edwards Sat on the
tiny porch of tue gardeners lodge,
TRANQUILITY knitting, with her sWc
tales, as usual, pushed high under
her cap. She had been told that il
was IA rest to remove them from heI
eyes occasionally, though whether
the relief were to the eyes or tothe
glasses she could not ex;lctly re-
member; in either case, however,
she felt it her manifest duty to spare
! them all she could.
1t WAS glorious summer after,
noon, and from her wicker chair
she looked out over wide eXpanse
of velvet lawn, luxurlOusly shaded
here aud there with clumps of ven
cradle trees, in whose branches he
BIRDS were holding high carnival.
But Nurse Edwards did not hear
he birds, for there was cricket
just under the ledge of the veranda,
who had quite az much to say as
they, and who had no one but her
to say it to; nor did she need to
look over the lawn for her sunlight,
when Il beam had come purpOsely
to seek her out, aud WAS lying
across her lap, like a long needle,
TREMENDOUSLY waiting to be taken up
and fitted To some wonderful work.
1t is only discontented people who
must search afar for their pleasures.
Nurse Edwards fOnnd all that she
required close to lier feet.
Presently she put down her knit
ting, and sat stiifly upright, with II
look of recognition on her placid
tacp. that took the place of smile,
and seemed to express almost more
of pleasure. She had caught the
sound of coming fOOtStcps-light,
dancing, happy steps, that could
only belong to a child, or to one who
had not yet unlearued childish
gladness; and, truly enough, the
slender figure OF girl, still in her
teens, soon appeared around the
corner, aud in IA moment more had
bounded breathlcssly to her side.
"Eh, Miss Auna. DEAR" said the
old woman, tondly, taking the
young girls hand and pattlng it
al1cctiDnatcly, ''what brings We here
in such haste the day y
HOh! couldn't come slowly"
Annie replied, with that little IN
consequent laugh, that indicates
happiness rather thap mirth. 81
dout think | could walk to-day, if
il we're to save my lite, Ny feet
wouldn't let me if | asked it of
them. Nursie-" she su1Genly stop
ped and kissed the faded cheek -
"Fred is coming to day, and Fve
run down to meet him, He'll be at
the gate III half an honr. The train
is due at five O'clock"
The old woman took the pretty
face between her hands caressing-
ly.
~ can't think how you've so soon
grown up to have Il sweetheart, my
bOnnie dearie, ye that I've nuIsed
on my knees aud croOhed to sleep
this many time gone, till | looked
for We never to Outslretch the cra-
die. Needs was some on ye should
be grown women III the end and
| didn't say nothing against it when
twas only Miss Meg and Miss Car
oline; but l did hope to keep the
last born tor my ain. Eh +! ell
'Tis the natural way of children.
Here's my Jem turned man of IL
sudden, with home to keep me IN;
him as I'd held a lad till it was no
that easy to put taith in his beard |
even with my two eyes upon 1t.
He'll be getting him a sweetheart |
next, | tell him; but he says nay, |
he wants no sweetheart but his
mother. My Jem's a good lad.
God bless him /! Aud so you are
looking for Mr.. Fred, are ye, Miss
Annief Aud it's tor him that ye're
so gay in all your brave ribbons n
"Of course it's tor him, returned
Annie, joyously. sand am Iquite
fine enough, say, Nursie, dear Z
Will he saw he never saw me look
as nice before n
Ay, to be sure; that he will he J"
replied tue old woman, fervently.
although il1l no be the ribbOus he'll
mark. He'll say as my Jem says
when l rut on my smart gown OF
Sunday; "It's the face l mind,
mother, and naught besides,' he
SAYS. sYe look as well in the old
est gown ye wears, mother he
says"
81 am afraid Jem is an arrant fiat
tereT," laughed Annie. you've
positively grown conceited since
you came to live With him. YOn
had much better have stayed on
with us at the house."
'Nay, there's nothing as could
keep me from my Jem, now, Miss
Annie, dear,o answered the old wO-
man, soberly. aHe's the only one
left me Of all bad, and my heart
Is set on him. It's little 1 can do
for him now rm old, aud my sight
b ailng, and Pm no that quick l
was on my feet; bat it's all in the
OF Nature, he says. Them as
sows in the spriDg shall reap in the
Gall, and I'm TO reap now, whilst
he's tO.Work at the sowing. A deal
1f trouble I've had in my day, but
DO fingers touch will he let anear
ne in my old age be says. Eh, bat 4
he's 4 good lad. May Heaven graht
70 q son Ike him, Miss Annie, when