Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1889-09-24


/ She need not have guarded the r.
mark at ALL for it would not have
troubled me in the least was lying
meditating upon the affinity of souls
and my lack in finding one in this
world to respond to my own; and such
thing as not lasting through another
winter was perfectly IN accord with
L.y pleasant thoughts just then.
Not that | was so miserable that 1
wanted TO die. but that it was part OF
my programme to die young. Did not
all my favorite Arabelas and Ethel
! midas do so, or came SO very near II
that it amounted to the same thing a.
far as sentiment was concernedP And
as for reality / thought very little
about it. Death in the abstract was
what held fascination for me.
So in this frame of mind | started
for Aunt Beckys accompanied by my
father, who. as he placed me in her
care at the country sta.ion-for he had
to return Immediately TO the city-said
to her in an undertone:
Becky. do all you can for her.
Cure her. if possible;. but humor her,
as she seems not long for this world :"
She gave sharp glance as she
seated mo in the low basket pheeton
and gathered up the pony's reins; and
she kept up her swift glances as we
rode out TO the farm, varying them by
occasional terse questions.
Been sick long, RueP"
"For nearly a year. l languidly
replied
Whats the mattera'
II don't know"
Have aches and pains or cough?'
"No-that is, not much" had for
gotten that cough was usual in cases
OF decline, and forthwith proceeded to
give n little one--a very unnatural one
felt it to be at the time.
Another sharp look
THAT ain I any consumption cough!
Well, how do you feel, any wayp'
80. Aunt Becky, gust us If it would
be perfectly heavenly to lie right
down and die"
My far-away look as ] contemplated
the blue sky was intended to settle
forever the question as to my condi-
tom and it seemed to. though not in
just the way had expected.
"Pishl" was her contemptuous ejac-
ulation. Die! Well, you amt going
to just yet--not from any thing you We
got now"
had no chance to reply to this un-
feeling remark, as we had reached the
farm.
For several days / wandered idly
around. swinging in the hammock |
had brought with me, arrayed in
clinging white wrappers and slippers
When the weather permitted | took
my maps out of doors in the most APP
proved attitudes-a book Of poems
! clasped in one hand, one arm thrown
gracefully above my head while the
other hung limp by my side, and one
| slippered foot peeped from beneath
| my skirt over the hammock 8 edge
| felt that my affinity might possibly
hover near me unawares and it be-
hooved me to keep my lamps always
trimmed and burning; for even if
could not live, we must at least recog-
nize each other-and how could that
be if did not live, while lived, Ut
to my ideal'
But few days after my arrival
ready for my day dreams, | missed my
favorite poems; in fact novels as well
were gone,
Where are my books. Aunt BeckyP''
| asked, as she was about to drive tC
the village
I've put them away. The docto,
says you mustn't read much she an
swered us she drove off.
| had not heard of that edict before
but knew some poetry by heart ant
that would do as well; so lay think
ing-my breast swelling with emotion
rs | made myself the heroine of mos
romantic tale passing through m,
brain. My eyes We're wet with tear,
and was sobbing with the excess o
emotional excitement TO which pitch
hoo WI AOu oCll W itl Sllt ItluEutu
What are you crying about, Rue?'
she brusquely exclaimed.
80. nothing! only | paused un
decided how to express myself
"Only what? HomesickP"
mo, indeed, Aunt Becky, but yo,
can't understand me. 1t Is delightful
to cry sometimes. do love when
am alone to lie and think and-feel-
that ali. "
"Fiddlesticlls! Well, | got some
thing to-day for you to take that |
make you jeei--better, was all shi
said.
That night she came to my room.
Two of the Stats are out of my bed
stead, Rue; | guess II have to sleel
with you, she announced, tying OF
her nightcap as she spoke.
whats theseP'
She had opened one of the bureau
drawers in an ostensible endeavor Il
close ii properly.
Only some soft te-pencis | hav
with me-" answered. family
We'll now, child, I'm going to tax
them every one. amt going to hav
YOU tiggerin' one bit while you ar
here she shrewdly remarked as 81
contiscated my whole stock upon IL
spot
Gloves. too. Why, Rue, your IN
--+ ---'- -.-#------
nust'vc sent these to me, Enough to
last housekeeper a year, and want