The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1886-01-19

ing toward the old man, he SAID, pleas
antly:
well, Uncle Jake, time you ver,
moving along, isn't it? You see it il
past six
"Yes, yes, am going now" he said
as he stopped down to pick zap his hat
which had fallen to the floor.
"Bad news about the mill closing
up" continued the Waterman "whai
do you think of its''
al don't know what to think. except
that it will be q hard winter for those
who look to it for support. God help
themr'
The old man stopped for . moment
His voice quivered little, and his eyes
grew brighter as he added: 1T would
not seem so hard, though, if Will was
only alive" As if ashamed of his mo-
mentary weakness he drew his hat
down over his face, and in q few min
utes was hurrying along the village
street.
Scattering flakes of snow had begun
TO fall, and the occasional gusts Of
wind found their way through the
warmest garments. Uncle Jske's we'll
worn coat was poor protection
against such weather; he was chilled
TO the bone and trembling when he ar
rived at his home-one Of the very
humblest-in small side street on the
outskirts of the town.
You are late. jake" said HE wife,
&s he entered.
"a little late, Martha, and yerT
tired" he added. YEARLY seating him.
self by the FIRE.
Nothing more was said until the
dishes upon the supper-table had been
washed and put away. Then drawing
her chair 10 his side, his wife asked:
What is the matter tonight. Jake?
You have eaten nothing. and have
scarcely spoken q word the whole
evening. You do not have TO work TO-
morrow. do youp''
Il would to God could" he muir
INJURED TO himself; then answered SO
that she might hear: mo. Martha,
tomorrow is holiday"
She would have spoken further, but
he interrupted her by saying: Martha.
how much have We laid by?"
Il will see, Jake So saying. she
went to the closet, and taking from the
shelf an old-fashioned Ork-box, IN
locked it and drew oHt large leather
purse. After q few moments ealcula-
ton, she replied: Nearly sixty dol
lars"
And how much do we owea' he
asked.
Nothing, Jake, except ten dollars
for the rent. have paid sl the other
bills. You see We arc slowly laying
by comfortable little sum-
Eyes. Martha, slowly. very slowly.
indeed"
Putting the money carefully away,
she drew her chair closer TO his side.
and taking one of his wrinkled hands
in hers, said:
Something is worrying YOU To-
night, Jake. What il it?''
He raised his face. but quickly turn
ing away. answered nervously:
I'VE have had hard day at the
mill, Martha, and / am not feeling
well; that is all
mol MOI Jake, do not tell me that.
There is something more. For over
thirty years We have had our trials and
our joys together, and know. / am
sure, you will moi hide your trouble
from me now"
For 8 moment he hesitated, as if un.
certain what to say; then Frightening
mp, he answered.:
Yes, Martha, have never known q
sorrow that you did not share and no
bly, bear your part in, so will tell you
all. Mr.. Durant has failed, and the
mill has closed"
These words were spoken i'm q husky,
trembling voice, and, as he finished, he
covered his face with his hands, and
began TO sob.
Softly his wife rose. and tenderly
placing her arm around his neck, said:
Jake, it does indeed seem hard and
difficult TO understand, but We have
gone through greater trials than this.
You will soon be able TO find other
work"
He started up at these last words as
if they had frightened him. crying,
1T is not alone the loss Of my place,
Martha. Look at this" touching his
silvery hair, land at your own white
locks. See these shriyeled hands, and
the burrows on my face. What do they
mean? Why do bend so low and tire
so easily? Oh, Martha! Martial when
i think of il, il seems as if should 60
mad. Every month feel my strength
growing less. l may fight against it,
but the day will come, and il is very
near, when can not work, even if /
have work to do. You, Martha, too,
are becoming feeble, and though you
strive nobly to hide il, the cares of our
small home are more than YOU can
bear"
He had uttered thee words stand
ing, and with flushed face. But now
he sank into his chair. and i'm low,
moaning voice repeated TO himself,
"Ah, Will! viii! why were Won taken
from meP"
I'm vain she strove to comfort him.
For long while he sat gazing at the
fire. as If unconscious of what was go
inc on around him, then suddenly