The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1886-07-10
and the wear after that, Does ii never striks

and the year after that. Does IT never striks
you how uncertain life isl'
| sOf course life is uncertain, the old woman
replied briskly Il never knew the time
when it was anything else. But we must
make our arrangements, and then take our
chance Your were taught to dance when
YOU were seven years old although you would
not require it for nine years more. and life
was as uncertain then as now. Still, it would
never have done not to have taught you to
| dance"
'Yes, but when one is weak and sick these
things seem to come nearer, don't they,
mamma" Sophia said with the greatest ten
derness.
"Seem to come, Sophy! They do come
nearer, wish they did not But that is no
reason why We should bring them nearer still
by our own reflections and guesses."
"But, mamma Sophia said, now resolved
to press the matter, Ought we not at such
times to think a little about the other world,
and prepare for it"
"Prepare for the other worldr' the old
woman exclaimed, impatiently "TeIl me,
how shall we do it, You talk as if one could
make ready for the other world like flower
show or a ball. don't know anything about
the other world hope everything will be
right, but there is nothing can do
See a clergyman, mamma" Sophia said.
growing timid before her mothers unwaver
ing hardness SO Mr. Knox. He is very
excite You"
"Very well, Sophy." her mother retoIted,
getting a little flushed with excitement but
l.
us suppose Mr.. Knox comes to see me- can
tell you what will happen He will have a
black book with him, which at first he will
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 he will begin by saying that this
is a world full of pain and care and trouble.
She hit off the clergyman's voice exactly,
but more, it seemed, from her old habit Of
rdicule than from any present wish to be
iiippant. IF | say what | think. | shall
answer, Not bit OF it; it is a coy, bright
world enough, and | never complained of it
Then he will go 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 will say. but
people ought TO he serious 'Seriousr
| shall answer Believe me. the ner-
son who produces one hearty laugh from
another does good in the world Serious, in
deed give me round faces, not long ones
Won't this he improving talk Sophy, and do
good TO me ard good TO Mr. Knox! Then ne
will talk about sickness being a 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 peIplexity. Won't
that make Knox whistle1 He viii feel he
must put me down; and next he VIII say we
are all sinners. What them If | saw the
truth shall answer: 1 don't see it. ihave
done MY hest in life. have not Leen liar
or thief, or cruel. Enjoyment came to me
and took it, and what q fool ] should have
been If ! had not taken Il, But | have tried
| 10 be cood mother and a kind friend, and
! though don't mean to say that | have not
often been III fault like other people still
have never done ANYTHING to make fuss
about The Almighty went judge Us for
mistakes and little slips Il temper that am
quite sure of. have always gore 10 church
when could, and il there is any better WAY
10 heaven than that don't know il, nor any
hoiy else So please Sophv, don't have Mr.
| knuA here, riiler ! say what do think and
no K him, or | say what don't think, which
| Is rot likely TO DO any good to anybody"
But 7 .mma," Sophia went on. do YOU
never ice} H. if YOU wdnted something better
Dian this vorldl It is very happy and ali
| tha. white It lasts, but do You Esr,I wish for
lrotEcr"
Never Sophia" her mother replied, now
| with distinct harshneS in her voice. Il have
| -oj you hundred times ] am satisfied
with the world. ard with other people, ami
with myself tell you find only one fault
with the world-I want it 10 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 mo.v declining
in strength, and that even Der 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 eaGcrness of
one who IS determined TO overcome illness
were now lanGuidly put ASIDE 10 another
| hour. She slept more frequently, and every
thing showed plainly ,hat she was quittins
| he stage of thu world whera. a popular
actress indeed, she had 50 long and 50 bril-
| iantly figured.