Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1889-01-09
From the Milwaukee Wisconsin.
A COMMON CASE.
BY ELIZABETH BAKER BoHAN.

We were all sorry for her am sure,
and as John and l talked the matter
over month after she had become a
widow, could hardly keep the tears
back.
A vision of my husband carried home
on stretcher, dead, when life was 80
sweet, came to me and / said:
80, John, feel just like going and
putting my arms around her and crying
with her for time AID then asking her
to tell me all her troubles-for | know
she has them, great ones, too"
"Do, DEAR" answered John, "that is
lust what | think you ought to do
Perhaps every one OF her old friends
feels just as I have felt about it, and so
the poor thing may be longing for a
word of advice and encouragement and
sympathy without ever hearing it. One
can mind ones own business too much
sometimes, don't you think SO, John 2"
He hesitated full minute before he
answered (for John is oyer-cautious
about accepting my assertions and then
said:
Hardly. When person is suffering,
it becomes the business of those around
that person to relieve the suffering"
20 yes, but you know what / mean,
much. / am so afraid of seeming to in
terfere with what does not concern me
! that have been afraid to approach the
subject, but will now"
You see, John had that day learned
that the So, 900 insurance that the young
/ widow had received was last melting
away. Now that Clarence Thwait was
dead, bills came pouring in, bills that
she had never dreamed OF, and, poor
young thing, she never thought of say
ing "no,'' or 'wait," but paid every one
as it came.
John and / had been wondering what
/ she would do when the money was
quite gone, for it would not last long in
Nettie's hands. She had never known
how to save, and as for that Clarence,
her husband, had known no better.
They had lived like two children, but
we all loved them. They were 30 full
| of fun, so good natured and frank and
so ready to do anything for others that
we never blamed them. Then to look
at Clarence enc would have supposed
that he would live thirty or forty years,
| but one never counts on accidents.
"But Nettie is sure to find way to
support herself and little Ones" | said
after q time. you know, John, how
| often we have spoken of her intelligence
and brightness Don't you remember
asking her one evening when she was
| here about six weeks ago if there was
anything she didn't know?"
Eyes, but woman may be intelligent
and bright and pleasing in company
but still not know how to earn her liv-
ing / advise you to go to her, dear,
and find out what she means to do.
We may be able to help her. There is
not the least danger of her mis,aking
your motives"
Well, that afternoon / went, and [
was so glad afterward that / did.
/ found her sitting with her two little
girls, and Oh, the stony look of despair
on her sweet face. / lad been wonder
ing how | should begin, for l had never
spoken of ways and means to her be-
lore, but there was no need of the
speech / had made up. One look at
that drawn face was enough. | just
took her in my arms and cried over her
as If / were her mother. Then / said
''Nettie, my dear, I've come to see
what you are going to do. You won't
| mind telling me, will you ~
Mind O, if you only knew how
COED it is of you to come and ask me.
I've been feeling as if no one cared"
'They all care, Nettie, but | think we
all STAYED away for the same reason
We did not like to seem officious. We
will all be SO glad to help you in any
way you like"
''But what can I do?" she said defect
edly.
I'm the first place, you won't want to
keep this immense house. nor the
horses. You can save a little fortune
by giving these up every year. Many a
poor man with large family earns less
thar the rent OF this house year"
eyes, yes, | suppose so. Yes. the
horses, carriage, coachman and house
must 60. I've thought of that, but [ can
get no further"
eve must find a pretty little one
story cottage for you somewhere near
us, dear, and then you must teach
something" I said as cheerfully as pos
slble.
Eyes, but what ?''
"You sing so beautifully, Nettie," I
Il have natural gift, 1 learn by ear,
I know so little. O, you would be as
tonished if you knew how very little in
formation [ really have about music, -
she responded candidly.
Sewing is such d-udgery, [ ven
tured again.
'But / can't sew, dear Mrs. Hill. I
/ was mdrrlCu dS SOON DIS lOlU SCHOOL,, anu
I've had couple of seamstresses every
spring and fall to come into the house
to make all that was needed for myself
and children. can buy goods very
well, I believe I have good taste, but /
can t make them up"
/ thought little, and then said:
Wouldn't you do well at that school
where you went to learn art needle
work ?"
''Yes, as well as most of the scholars,
I learned to make cat-tails and water
lilies, and then something happened to
prevent nv going and then the term
ended. But supposing I could get
enough orders tor cat-tails and water
lilies, how much day do you think
could earn working eight hours-I know
I could not do more than that?''
"I'm all lost there" said. 81 haven't
an idea"
About two shillings," she answered
| flushing. "You see, my friend, I've
been over and over it all in-the night
when can't sleep-I-"
But the poor little thing broke down
| thara and had tn cry awhile r. does