Middletown transcript., 1891-03-19

grown 80 few, upon soiuiu
Two weeks before this crisp aGtum-
nal morning dawned, Father West,
wood had received a letter which had
set him and Ruth Ann in a hntter:
It was from Thomas CLARK, the son OF
his old college chum, and read as fol-
lows:
Rev. JONATHAN WEsrwooD, D. d.
Honored Sir: My dear father
died very suddenly two weeks ago.
He has suffered some time from
heart disease, but would. think,
have lived few years more had NOT
financial trouble come upon MIN.
This worry, with his extreme age
was the immediate cause of his end.
sit has long been his desire that l
remove to the west. / have been told
that Scodack is desirable point Tor
young doctor. Will you kindly give
your opinion |!
"MY wife is the daughter OF JohD
Dent, whom you no doubt remember
as classmate. Our aunt, MISS
Mercy Dent, lives with US and joins
me in kind regards, hoping that you
remember her.
"Most sincerely yours,
"THoMAs CLARK.
"I don't call eighty extreme age
said Father Westwood, with some
sharpness when he had wiped MS
eyes. "If man dies of heart disease
at eighty, he does not die of old age
in m opinion"
"Some people grow old faster than
Others" said Mrs. Westwood, with a
quick glance at the tiny mirror in the
old clock in the corner. Some peo-
pie are aged at fifty" Her husband
seemed too much moved to talk, and
she continued "Scodack is a very
good loca ton, as western places 60.
1t is not pretty, but that cannot be
expected ia fat country in which
soft coal is used. They call it dread
ful healthy, but doctor has plenty
to do, and folks do die there, I notice.
Pm not one to rejoice over my ene'
mics, but when I think of Doctor
Tobey gone and a young man in his
place who calls you Doctor, as you
would have been had you remained
east and sought preferment as others
did, must admit it is a satisfaction
to-
Mrs. Westwood !" exclaimed the
old gentleman severely, and almost
shaking off his wig in his agitation
am surprised at you"
81 forgive, but I don't pretend t
forget" said Mrs. Westwood, flush
ing. 81 never was as good as you
Jonathan. And 1 want you to ask
that young couple to stop and see US
1t will be about Thanksgiving time
and we can kill the turkey little Bid
dy has raised US, and there is plent,
Of jelly and other things"
| No matter how it was expressed, tn
Rev. Jonathan had long ago forme'
the habit Of making his wife,s opinion
bis own. Like other husbands, b
found that course saved trouble. Blu
this time he hesitated.
"There will be three Of them, an
we have but one spare bed. You ar
not strong. 1t will be good deal Q
work"
"The single lady can sleep on tn
lounge in the parlor, and can hav
Della Wittenbrock to wash dishe
and clean up. 1t is a long time sine
we have had Eastern company, iona
than"
Mr.. Westwood did not heed thi
last powerful appeal. BE was drum
ming" On the road to Boston Q
the window pane, and thinking of th
one secret he had kept hidden ava
from Ruth Ann all the years the
had been married. He felt YER
guilty, the old saint. In his sopho
more year at Kingston he had falle
deeply in love with Miss Mercy Den
who was more than five years h
senior. He had never spoken b
passion, but the ruddy color rose
his cheeks, and his eyes grew too di
. for him to see the two jays quarrellr
in the maple just outside the windo
as he recalled that far away tim
which seemed more real by far tbs
Yesterday. Miss Mercy had know
his feeling, he was sure of it; but 81
had left Kingston without glvil
him an opportunity to speak, and
,, had heard from reliable source tn
,, she was to marry a certain D
. Booper, whose skill in taking t.
human body to pieces was simp
!, marvellous. But she had not Marie
. . after all, and had asked to be remen
: bered to MIN, and he might see he
r 81 think, Mr.. Westwood, you mig
a let me have my way for once" sa
E the old lady, with note of reproae
1 in her voice.
. AS if she did not always have b
q own way My dear, did you ev
: know me to refuse your" exclaim
: the old gentleman, with SO mu
4 sharpness he Immediately felt a pa
If of sorrow. He had a secret from th
blameless soul, Ruth Ann, and no
j after living with her for more tn
e fifty years he was beginning to
\ i snappish to her. "My DEAR"
: added, in an instant, am never
happy as when you are happy. Y
+ are the most beautiful lady in
= world to me-" Then, with sudd
!. suspicion that he might say too mu'
: he subsidized into the pages of
: foreign missionary magazine.
a The next year would be a reason
,e great rejoicing in the sect to whit
d Father Westwood belonged; and,
1t memorial of its gladness, it b
ID been decided to raise fund for
# better care of disabled and ag
/. pastors and their widows. Fatt
w Yves twood had decided to make
ne offering as large as possible.
id know what the Board has been
+ us, J." he said to, Ruth Ann. Ere
ty we have received, freely we will Civ
= L %