The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1888-11-15
CHAPTER XXyI.

ANOTHER FAREWELL.
Daylight came ut last; came slowly,
as if i: were forced to contend with the
unwilling darkness for masters; and
even then the clouds did not lift, or the
rain cease its steady down-pour
Martha Parsons never knew whence
came the strength that enabled her to
close the eyes of her dead husband. or
to continue existence when she had
done SO. One was dead, but one yet
lived. and living. needed her care.
While that life continued she felt that
her strength would continue also. and
beyond that she neither thought nor
cared. When bis father spirit took its
flight, and afterwards. while she was
caring for the dead body Strengthening
out the limbs and folding the arms
across the breast johnny lay in his
cot and watched his mother without i
word or cry, but with a look half Of
awe and half of surprise. as il he had
seen the flight of the spirit and under.
stood why and whittier it had gone.
And when all was done and the cot in
which he lay had been wheeled into the
kitchen, where the fire burning in tbs
stove, gave little more cheerful look
to the room, he still asked no questions
and made no complaint
His mother found herself wondering
If Johnny knew that his father was
dead. hut could think of no way of as
pertaining without herself imparting
the information if he did not already
possess it, and this she feared to do lest
it should cause his spirit to follow that
Of his father.
IF only we could both CO." Were
the words that kept swelling up in her
heart, and seeking utterance at her
lips Then remembering what Lucy
had written; that if possible her mother
should come to them before her baba
was born, that she might be with her
in her hour of trial, size felt anew that
she must live for the sake Of her chill
dren. But what was she to do? how
could she obtain help to bury the dead.
or q physician for the sick child? The
rain night continue for week, and
already communication was cut OIL with
all who lived below. if not with those
on the other side Of the mountain, and
she dared not leave johnny to 60 for
help, even If she could make her way
through the floods She did leave him
for few moments, long enough to go
to the stable and throw feed to the ami.
mails. She did not milk the cows, did
not dare leave the child long enough
for that, but the horses she must feed.
for she might need one to ride for help.
and he must be strong to contend with
the torrents which would have 10 be
crossed if she did go.
About moor she made a cup OF tea
for herself and tried to eat, but found
it almost impossible to do SO, although
she had eaten nothing for twenty-four
hours, and it was only by telling her.
self that she mus. eat in order to keep
up her strength until help came that
she was enabled to swallow anything.
She dared not think how long it might
be before help came; but, come it late
or early, she must keep up until that
time. She tried to think OF some way
| OF hosting . signal of distress, as she
had read OF shipwrecked mariners do
ing at sea. but could not. She watched
the one place in the road which could
be seen from the kitchen window. bit
she saw no one pass. No one could
torrent, with a depth and power that
made fording it . matter Of impossible.
| ty. And so the minutes and the hours
dragged slowly by.
Night closed in early. owing to the
darkened heavens. and she lit tEe
lamps, placing one in the room with
| the dead. the other on stand near the
cot Of the living. and sat down by the
| side of her child to watch him die
That he would die before the morninS
| came she knew, and she wondered at
her ability to act coolly, or to act at all.
All through the fore part of the nigh,
she sat watching every movement oil
the hands, every rise and fall Of tine
chest. every trembling of the eyelids,
utterly unconscious Of any WEAKNESS in
her own frame. She kept a fire burn
ing in the stove. and every little while
gave the dying child few drops Of
some liquid preparation which she hat
made, as the only thing she could do t.
prolong life. The child slept almos
continually now, and when he awoke
made no effort to speak, but the CUES
tioning look which had been there sine,
his fathers death had not left his eyes
AS midnight approached she saw IN
creasing evidences of approachin.
death, and knelt by the side Of the co
with one arm under the pillow on whic.
her child's head lay. His breathin.
was less regular now, and weaker. con,
ing in little quiyering signs and half
formed sobs. He was awake, and has
been for some moments. At last hi
eyes were open and he seemed TO b.
looking at her. but when she asked hin
if 'there was anything mother coul'
do for her poor sick darling he onl,
smiled tho faintest little smile possible
and made no effort to speak.
She remained knesling for more thar
An hour. now raising now lowering hi
head little as seemed to make hi
breathing easier, until just as the clocl
struck one. = look of surprise over
spread his face, and slowly raising o.
arm, he placed it about his mothac'
neck, allowed it to rest there for au in
stant then slowly removed it, i;flc'
both hands as If to some one unscc.l b
her. murmured family. take me IN
papa!'' sank back into his mc.hcr'
arms, and was gone.
| fro BE Continued