St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-11-03

what dreadful meaning was conveyed in
this speech, the first that she had uttered
since she was told that her son could not
live. After the fashion of country people,
friends and neighbors were coming in, and
the old man went out to greet them, invit-
ing them into the best room, where the
chairs had been placed against the walls,
leaving space in the middle. Here the
leaves of a folding mahogany table had
been lifted and sheet spread over them.
Outside the wind whistled through the
bare branches of the China trees, and the
people in the room had drawn close around
the fire. for it was cold night. An old
lady sitting next to Sally whispered: Its
lucky that lis turned so cold. He'll keep
until they get the preacher from Upton.
How's she a-bearing up? l should say
she's not likely to go to bed as some OF 'em
do"
"She," answered Sally. Il never see
woman like her in all my born days. To
look at her you'd think she was only fit to
set i'm rocker; but she's been on her feet
day and night, and she don't take on as
some of 'em do. She helped to lay out
Jacob and then she locked herself in the
spare bedroom"
1--WE heard ventured the old lady, shat
you and her don't get along so WE'LL"
No more than we don't" snapped Sally.
Il am plain Sally Norton, none of your
cOlogned and calarOcomed ladies. faint no
use with my freckled face. but I'll say this
for her, she kept to herself and let the child
run about pretty much as she pleased, and
pa he's took TO Lillian so as never was, but
ma don't seem to Spite her much"
THE child amt bit like the Nortons."
About as much as I'm like queen and
as things is, it's so much the worse for her.
Poor folks"-but the words died on her
lips-the sound of slowly descending foot
steps could be heard: deep silence fol-
lowed the whispered conversation. They
were bringing down the captain. His tall
figure was stretched upon the table and
covered with snowwhite sheet. Such
was the custom in the country in those
days. Those who wished to look upon him
turned back the sheet and saw the set
features and the singular look of pain
which had settled upon them. Perhaps it
was his last earthly trouble which had
fixed its impress upon his face.
The women were dying of curiosity
to see the widow. and one elderly person
offered to go upstairs to keep her company,
but a word from Sally deferred her, and
she reseated herself with the cOnsoling
est, and on such an occasion the coffee
would be of the strongest. About midnight
It grew bitterly cold and the watchers
found it more cheerful before roaring fire
in the adjoining room than the one in which
the body lay. Into the silent chamber old
Mr.. Norton entered, holding the child in
his arms She was asleep. her curly head
resting on the old mans shoulder. He
seated himself close to the fire, so that the
little ones feet might keep warm. Mean
time Sally was with her mother urging a
request which the old woman at first obstin
ately refused
IF she's got anything to say let her come
to me-"
You owe it to Jacob, ma, to do what
she's asked you. For his sake come"
Then she rose, and disdainng Sally's
arm, entered the room with firm step,
closed the door between the death chamber
and her neighbOrs. who were sadly disap-
pointed that they should miss this moving
spectacle, and sat down beside her son, rot
uncOverng his face to look at him, but al
lowing her eyes to follow the CHASTITY out
line of figure beneath the sheet. ''Oh, my
son. my son." she mOaned. lis this all that
is left to me in my old age?"
At that moment, silently and almost I'M
noticed, the captains wife joined the group
and stood at the feet of her husband, plac-
ing one hand on the table as if to steady
herself. Her face was perfectly cOlorleSs
her eyes circled with purple rings, and
her abundant golden hair pushed back from
her forehead.
I've asked you to meet me here" she
said in low, faltering voice, because l
wish to beg your forgiveness before leave