The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1886-06-23

the other world. ] hope everything VIII be
right, but there is nothing l 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
"Very 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 you what will happen He VIII have a
black book with him, which at first he win
try to keep out of sight, and he will edge it
into view as he is talking about the weather.
That viii be signal to me OF what is COM
ing. Then be will begin by saving that this
is a world fun of pain and care and trouble y
She hit off the elergymans voice exactly,
but more, it seemed, from her old habit OF
ridicule than from any present wish TO be
fippant. IF l say what l think, shall
answer, Not a bit of it; it is a cozy. bright
world enough and never complained of it.
Then he viii 60 on and talk about loving the
world. Well ought to say, I do love it.
and never more than now when am shut
out from it Yes he win say. but
people ought to be serious sSeriousp
| shall answer. Believe me- the per-
son who produces one hearty laugh from
deedi give me round faces. not long ones
Won't this be improving talk Sophy, and do
good to me and good to Mr.. Knoxa Then he
viii talk about sickness being blessing, and
if give him my mind shall say that sick
ness is one of the few things / know which is
an unmitigated bother and perplexity Won't
that make Knox whistlel He will feel he
must put me down; and next he will say we
are all sinners What then! If / say the
truth | shall answer: I don't see it, have
done my best in life. ! have not been a liar.
or a thief, or cruel Enjoyment came to me
and took it, and what fool L should have
been if l had not taken it, But | have tried
to be good mother and kind friend, and
though | don't mean to say that / have not
often been in fault like other people, still
have never dene anything TO make a fuss
about The Almighty won't judge us for
mistakes and little slips of temper-that 1 am
quite sure of. 1 have always gone to church
when l could, and if there is any better way
to heaven than that l don't know it, nor any
body else So please, Sopby, don't have Mr.
Knox here; either | say what l do think and
shock him, or | say what don't think, which
is not likely TO do any good to anybody"
But, mamma" Sophia went on, do you
never feel as if YOU wanted something better
than this world. 1t is very happy and all
that while it lasts; but do you Rerer wish for
another!7
"Never, Sophia!7 her mother replied now
with distinct harshness in her voice Il have
told YOU hundred times | am satisfied
with the world, and with other people. and
with myself. tell you l find only one fault
with the world-I want it to last, and it
won't"
This reply was delivered in a way that
finally closed the conversation, and Sophia
never dared again allude to the subject
December drew to its close, and she saw
that her mother was more and more declining
in strength, and that even her Unsuitable APP
petite for the world itself was departing
She no longer cared to hear the talk of the
town. Her beloved Morning Post would lie
day after day unopened. The little meals,
which she used to take with the eagerness of
one who is determined to overcome illness
were now languidly put aside to another
hour. She slept more frequently, and every
thing showed plainly that she was quitting
the stage of the world, where, a popular
actress indeed, she had so long and so bril-
liantly figured