The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1889-12-26

starch, the tubs of hominy and beans
alone read the lines of anguish Time in
one short halliday had chiseled upon his
brow; but after that-while the turkey
for his own dinner was taking upon it.
self beautiful brown and the potatoes
nesting close by grew mellow to their
very hearts in the oven of the brilliant
new range upstains, old Nick fought
hard battle with himself.
1t was a fearful and ugly army he had
to face; an army whereof Modification,
Bitterness, Disappointment, Grief Hate,
Perplexity, Misery, Rancor, Wrath, Dis
gust and Regret were the rank and file,
with Despair for their leader-strong,
gaunt, gigantic Despair!
His very soul at first shrunk at the
awful onslaught; around, about, behind,
before him they charged-cutting at his
self-esteem, beating down his manli-
ness, hacking hard at his goodly store of
principles, until, human worm that he
was, he writhed and turned upon them
all. Single-handed he met them, daring
them to do their worst!
And as the good fight went on-as one
!, Ny onO AC AACU V4O CACAAOS VI Ills pcdC0
and slew them, until not even Disap-
pointment Hved-the light little feet
above stairs, in their dutiful round,
were beating upon the floor soft re-
veille that sounded clearly in the war
rior's ears-a reveille that turned the
echoless, empty rooms of his house and
heart into home where love and life
and Joy and peace and sweet content
were made welcome from that hour!
Two doors were opened-two forms
entered :nto that humble arena where
just now the battle of life had been
fought-and won; but no signs of the
bloodless ARRAY were there to horrify
the two women, who both advanced,
smilingly, until they stood outside the
counter just opposite a pretty paneled
Autographed lady who held out to them
bar of superior soap.
''Laws, Nils Newcomb, jest couldn't
wait till could run up here and see for
myself what effeck the great news had
on yer spirits. l reckon you read the
postal?"
eyes, Mrs. Pimlott, did"
"Then, in the name of all that's good,
Aoeo kin you take it so quiet-like?"
"Why, Mrs. Pimlott, he was very old
and feeble. really didn't expect him
to live that long. 1 don't wish to seem
disrespectful to the dear old gentleman;
but am too happy to let his death cast
shadow over me now
''Humph! We don't gin'rally let the
demise O. rich relatives grieve us over
much. Wealthy, wasn't hep"
"No," answers a voice, that from
some strange, new quality it has
gained strikes oddly upon the ears of
the two women. Both turn toward
Nicholas, who coming from behind the
counter, makes his way to the side of his
puzzled little bride and puts resolute
arm about her trim waist. mo, he was
a poor, poverty stricken gentleman
madame, who was sent by his parishion,
ers to South America as missionary.
You will understand, Mrs. Pimlott,
what mean when Iemphasize the word
missionary, and know why ask that no
reference hereafter be made to the
deceased relative of my wife,. He is
man who is dead and gone-I am q man
who is alive and here-and avery
hungry man, too. Mercy, dear! Shall
you invite Mrs. Pimlott and me to
dinner soon, do you think? Take my
arms, ladies, and let me escort you both
to dinner. But first let me turn the kew
in the lock that no one may interrupt
! our feasting-there we are-set here,
Mrs. Rimlott-that's right, Mercy, take
her bonnet-what?' 49,
81 said, pswhispers the Widow Pimlott,
as Mercy carries her wraps into the next
room, Il said simply this: would you a.
did it, old Nick, would you a. did it if
you'd "a knew it, was mistake-would
you "a did it any howe" | :
'Bless your soul and body" says old
Nick, the vast differences of the old and
new regime contrasting themselves
agreeably, and actually forgetting that
fate has cleverly tricked him into his
present beatific state-'bless your soul
and body-yes!" "
"Well, may neverv' says Mrs.
Pimlott. Eva Best, in Detroit Free
Press. X ...&
The late Wilkie Collins never passed
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