Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-10-13

let her lay there fur three days afore
We called doctor. Ye told Marthy
Ann Hopkins. when she came. that if
she was let alone she would soon De
up again. But she grew worse an ye
hailed old Doctor skinner rs he was
ridin' by. an called him in. He teled
We the truth. that her earthly days We're
mast numbered.
Yesterday we laid Hubby to rest III
the old graveyard. beside her babies
Poor soul. I'm glad she's got eternity
to rest in. When | see her thin. tired
face, so sweet an peaceful-lookin' III
the coffin. | said to my heart Thank
the Lord I've been a hearin' all these
years that We was mighty graspin' an
hard on Hubby. but / didn't suspicion
how bad it was till came here afore
Hubby died. Her dyin' breath was
spent, not complainin' of you, Silas,
she was too true Il wife for that, but
beggin' me to make peace between you
an Susie. She longed to see her child.
but when l asked you to send for her.
you frOwned and turned away.
''Silas Hutchins, what can you say to
all thiS?'
The man was almost bowed to the
earth, and heavy sobS were shaking his
whole frame.
Have pity, oh. Patience! You are
an unmerciful woman
Did you have mercy on Hubby?
How can you answer to God fur the
way ye crushed the life out of the wo-
man you promised to love and cherish
as your Ownself?'
And again he moaned, II didn't mean
it, Patience; didn't mean it,
well, it's DONE" she went on
''Huldy's in her grave years before her
time. You can't bring her back. But
what about Susie?"
III Try and do the right thing
groaned SilaS Hutchins, the hot tears
dropping through his fingers to the floor.
where his broken pipe lay unheeded.
But I don't know where she is.
Hubby knew In spite of you. an
because other folks were merciful when
you were cruel, letters passed back and
forth. John Lane took his wife TO
Kansas, an settled on government
land. Just as they had proved up their
claim, an was gittin' little start, he
was taken with fever, an lay fur six
weeks in the shadder of death. Kind
neighbOrs, most as poor as they wera
helped 'em, or they must hey persisted
Such is their condition now. What are
you going to do about it?'
What kin I do, Patience?" he ask
ed, with a strange, new humility.
Draw five hundred dollars out'n the
bank, an start tomorrow fur the place
where they be- Fix up their matters so
they won't lose all he's done, and bring
| 'em home with you, Baby Silas, an all"
The man gave a start of surprise.
us there a baby, an named fur me?'
he asked, huskily.
ITO be sure there is. That looks
like hard feelin's doesn't it? Now will
you go?'
III do it, Patience said Silas. DO
you s'pOse Huld'n know if I do better?'
he asked, with pitiful AMUSEMENT.
Certainly I do!' answered Aunt Pa
tience, with emphasis. Having applied
heroic treatment with good results, she
was ready with cheerful encouragement.
J Her benevolent old face beamed on the
repentant Silas, and she hustled around,
! getting him ready for his journey. which
seemed a herculean undertaking to the
man who had never been outside his
native New England.
Il tell you what" said Aunt Patience,
| q little later, to Marthy Ann Hopkins,
| I've made up my mind that when the
! Lord gives We a message to deliver, he
prepares an ear to hear it. There | lay
! on my bed most of the blessed night
! long twistin' an turnin' how I should
! say my say to Silas. l dreaded it Wuss
! than tOoth-pullin' but the words SEEM
| ed given me to say"
A year after this, Silas HutchinS
home reveals a very different picture.
1t echoes with the prattle of Il wee boy,
who is the idol of his grandfather'5
heart. John Lane manages the farm
| in partnership with his father-in-laW
that her presence is both a sweet and
bitter reminder to the old man, is the
presiding genius within. 1t is hard fOr
| Silas Hutchins to break away at once
and utterly from his lifelong penU-
iousness, but Aunt Patience lesson was
too salutary a one to be quickly for
gotten. Flowers bloom on the grave on
the hillside, and it is spot often
visited. In these later days, peace and
JOY have come to dwell in the old home.
Who knows how much of the tardy
happiness in this household is shared by
| Hubby, in The mysterious beyond Of
heaven?