Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1890-04-04


in the cars, and reads the stories, or
maybe he wouldn't noticed what ne
did.
"Why, mother!" says he, ''there was
a gentleman used TO come with Miss
Emma to church. I've seen him often
an often, but he never comes to the Sun
day-school, only to church. He wore
diamond studs, and shiny boots and
silk hat-a regular swell; and she used
to look as pleased as a baby with toy
when he was with her, We'll, he hasn't
been to church for more'n month, and
I'm thinking he has lost his money, and
her pas sent him off"
pooh-poohed that and told Jim he
was silly, and didn't know what he was
talking about. But he says:
"You didn't hear me out, mother.
To-day there was a new conductor on
50, and it was Miss Emma's beau-Mr
Thatcherw
Well, did stare, and was sure Jim
was mistaken, but he said he'd know Mr..
Thatcher anywhere, and he was sure
that was him. We talked about it long
time, but you see there was nothing we
could do, and l thought Jim was right,
after all, and maybe Miss Emmas pa had
sent the poor fellow off, when he lost his
money.
It was, maybe, two weeks after that, or
three, that one day Mr.. Sanderson came
to the house, all in futter. Miss Emma
was sick with typhoid fever and. they
wanted a nurse, and she wanted that
nurse to be me. Dear, dear, but | was
fustered; but I sent jim to his Aunt
James to board, and shut up the rooms,
and went off to the grand house.
Poor Miss Emma! We nearly lost her,
though her pa had the best doctors, and
I nursed her faithful She took the
fever visiting one OF her other Sunday
school scholars, md she was not very
strong any time, so she took it very hard.
One day, when she was very bad, Iheard
her ask her father:
"Papa, where is Harry?"
~ don't know" he said.
Then he began to tell her something
in very low voice, and Invent down
stairs to make lemonade, not to hear
what wasn't meant for me. The poor
young lady was very sad all that day,
and I mistrusted she cried, when no one
was watching her.
It was none of my business to inter-
fere, but I fretted more'n a little about
what Jim had told me, and wondering if
Mr.. Thatcher was Harry. Icouldn't ask
jim, because [ would not let him come
near me for fear Of the fever. Miss Emma
was so weak, too, I didn't dare for her
life say anything to excite her, and so [
held my tongue till the fever took a turn
and she began to get better.
1t was uphill work then with US, for
she was weak as baby, and didn't seem
to care 20 get well. She had to be coaxed
to eat or to try her strength, and was
willing to lie quiet all day, which amt
natural in young folks after long sick
ness. Most times they are in too great
hurry, and throw themselves back again.
The doctor said she wanted rousing.
So one day, after she had her bit of toast
and little bird nicely Drowned, with
the best cut of chocolate [ could make,
coaxed her to sit up bit in great arm
chair. When had her all comfortable,
| said:
"Miss Emma, I've been wanting to tell
you something for long time, but was
afraid you'd think Twas stepping out of
my. place"
81 should never think anything unkind
of my dear, good nurse" says she, and
slipped her little, thin hand in mine so
loving it made the tears come in my eyes.
"Well, Miss" I said, eff you won't
think it is impertinence, I'll tell you.
Jim told me that he saw Mr.. Thatcher
in the cars 4 bit before you was taken
sick, and-well, Miss, don't feel too bad
about it-he was conductor"
1 was afraid she'd faint, ma am, and
cry. [ was never so took aback in my
life as I was at the way she acted. She
sat right up in her chair and clapped
her two little hands together, and just
laughed like child. All the merry
light that was gone so long from her
eyes came back.
"Oh, you dear, darling nurse" she
said to me, II could just kiss you, and
I will"
And she did,
Glow did he look?" she asked me.
Jim said he looked very grave, and
as if he had some care on his mind" I
told her, ''and he had none of his fine
clothes on, but a gray suit and SLOUGH
hat"
She laughed again at this.
"And did he take the fares, just like
any other conductor, and ring the bella"
The idea of that tickled her SO much
that she had to laugh again. | suppose
I looked as asronished as I was, for
IL.