Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1889-03-01

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folded themselves ike a panorama. and
on the canvas he saw Mary sick then
worse, and then deadi It was the longest
/ twenty mile ride he had ever taken. and
ms Old friend, the landlord concluded
from his face that Morgan had met with
bad luck IN sales that day.
he had night run to Decatur and de-
teFm1neG that he would telegraph to the
mousse and quiet these nervous apprehen-
slons that were so cruel, though probably
SO absurd. 1t would cost but little. he
reasoned, and though foolish it was wiser
than to continue to be torn by doubts. So
before going to bed he gave the operator a
half rate message, for morning delivery,
TO Manning. Morgan & Co, Chicago, III:
c: Is my wife or daughter sick2 Answer. care
1l1sey. G. MORGAN.
He felt easier having done this. and
passed better night than the previous
enc, although there was IN all his sleeping
and waking thoughts an under current of
solleltude over impending danger to Mary.
With an attempt not to be anxious, yet
terribly apprehensive at heart, he tore
open the telegram that reached him about
g o'clock:
To c. Morgan, care Gilsey & Co., Decatur:
Come home first train AIANNryG
Good God. what was this! We're his
fOrebodings indeed true? If so he was all
the more totally unprepared for the truth
His constant comfort had been that his
fears had not the slightest foundation to
rest upon, and the more they crowded
upon him the surer he had been that they
were himsier than dreams. But here
staring him in the face We're those four
OmInOus words:
Come home first train "
Why had they not given him the Whole
story? He started for the telegraph Office
to send for further particulars, but stoned
Suppose Mary was dead! Did he want to
learn it here, so far from his wife? No:
he would wait. Such story would IN.
fold soon enough. There were several
hours before a train went his way; the
discipline of twenty years asserted itself
and ne attended to his business.
The ride home was one that can be IN
derstood in its depths only by those who
have been similarly circumstanced The
train seemed to creep. The minutes were
like hours. The stops seemed to be in
GermlnabIe, and every mile nearer home
seemed to be prOpOrtiOnately longer than
the previous one. He reached the city at
dark. The store was closed. He had ex-
pected to lind Manning there, but he sud
denly remembered that he had not teIe-
graphed to him the time of his arrival
AS he neared his home the first glance
showed him there was a change. The
lower part OF the house was in darkness,
and only q dim light shone in the front
chamber, which was but rarely occupied.
They have laid her there, 3" he said to
himself, and all his soul cried within him
in anguish. His poor wife! How she
must have suffered, to have gone through
all this alone! What o brute he was to
go away Monday, when he ought to have
known, and did know, that something
dreadful was upon them! He reached the
door; it was fastened; he would 90 to the
other side and enter quietly. But some
one heard his step, and, opening the door,
called him back.
as it Mr.. Morgan?" The voice was that
Of neighbOr.
Yes" He passed in, expecting to see
or hear his wife. The friend closed the
door and turned to him.
Have you heard" she began.
Il have heard nothing; is Mary, he
broke down. The door beside him opened.
oh, papa!"
Give him airi What mystery was this?
Mary, is it you? Are you alive? Why, !
I thought feared-- Oh, darling is
it your"
Yes, it was Mary. Oh, thank Godl
Thank God!
Tell me again. dear, are you welI?"
Oh, yes, papa, but poor mammal"
Mammal What Of her? Is she sick? /
What is it? Tell me quick!" And again
ne was pushed from the heaven of happi-
less to the bottomless pit of doubt. as
Oh, papa, the doctor says she is going
Hush, said the neighbor. step in
side, sir; the doctor is with her now; he |
will soon be down. Prepare yourself, Mr.. |
Morgan; your wife is very low. The SER
yant's carelessness caused an explosion |
n the kitchen, setting herself on fire; your /
wife ran to her assistance and saved her |
ife, but, 1 fear, at the expense of her |
lWn."
At must see her"
"NO, sir, not now; be guided by me for
moment. The doctor will soon be down " |
He took Mary in his arms and they
Eept together. Oh, if his wife, his dar- !
ing wife, were to be taken from him! It /
vas the crueIest blow God ever struck! |
And she saving another's life, too! He /
cursed and raved, but it was in his own /
leart; and Mary, crying on his breast, only |
Knew what comfort it was to have papa |
,nce more with her.
The physician came down with manner /
10 grave that it told its own story. There |
s scarcely chance" be said; you can /
90 to her; she will not know you
When did this happen?"
Monday evening.
Have you consulted others? Can /
nothing more be done?"
Nothing except to help heerto die.easy."
But she did not die. She knew her |
husband. He begged her to live, as only
man can plead whose soul is bound up /
n wOman's life, and whether love, or /
whether medicine, or whether care saved /
Ter, I do not know. But she lived. But 4!
organ informed Manning that his travel
ng days were over; that a new man must /
1e engaged for that route. They found /
i'm, after diligent search, and much to /
he surprise of everyone connected with /
he house. he sold more goods for the
irm than Morgan had ever done. The /
me who rejoices most at this is Morgan,
Who says he has made his last trip.-.FrOHs {
A Nan Of Samples, by YIN. n. BEaber.
Movement Of Shot When Fired.