Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1894-05-31

she had seen his wife. He coughed d great
deal and seemed TO be worse than usual
and complained of fever. But he liked to
have her and would not hear of her going.
Stay" he said. 1T is not much of o
pleasure to you, but it is great pleasure
to me-" F
There was an anxious look ON his face,
such a look as people wear when they wish
to ask some question of great moment,
but dare not begin.
At last he seemed to summon up cour-
age.
Little Brick" he said, in q weak, low
voice, II have something on my mind.
You won't laugh, I know. You're not the
sort. know you're clever and thought
full and all that. You could tell me more
than all the parsons put together. know
you re clever; my wife says SO. She says
only very clever woman would wear
such boots and hats"
Bernardine smiled
"Well," she said kindly, tell me-"
"You must have thought a good deal, I
suppose he continued, about life and
death and that sort of thing. I've never
thought ut all. Docs it matter, Little
Brick? It's too late now. l can't begin to
think. But speak to me. Tell me what
you think. Do you believe we get another
chance and are glad to behave less like
ours and brutcs? Or is it all ended in that
lonely little churchyard there? I've never
troubled about these things before, but
now know am so near that gloomy lit
tie churchyard-well it makes me won
der. As for tho Bible, never cared to
read it. was never much of reader,
though I've got through two or three fire.
work novels and sporting stories. Does it
matter, Little BrickS"
How do / know?' she said gently.
"How does any one know? People say
they know, but it is all great mystery
nothing but mystery. Everything that
we say can be but guess. People have
gone mad over their guessing, or they have
broken their hearts But still the mystery
remains, and we cannot solve it
If you don't know anything, Little
Brick" he said, at least tell me what
you think And don't be too learned. Re-
member, Pm only n branloss fellow"
He seemed to be waiting eagerly for her
answer.
''If Iwa:o you," she said, Il should not
worry. I'ist mako up your mind to do
better when you got another chance. One
can't do more than that. That is what
shall think of, that God will give each of
us another chance, and that each one of
us will take it and do bctter-1 and you
and every one So there Is no need to fret
over failure when ono hopes ono may be
allowed to redeem that failure later on.
Besides which life is very hard. Why, We
ourselves recognize that. If there be a
God, some intelligence greater than hui
man intelligence, he will understand bet
ter than ourselves that life is very hard
and difficult and he will be astonished not
because We are not better, but because we
are not worse. At least that would be my
notion Of God l should not worry if
were you. Just make up your mind to do
better if you get the chance and be content
with that"
s'lf that is what you think, Little
Brick" he answered, 1T is quite good
enough for mo. And it does not matter
about prayers, and the Bible, and all that
sort of thing"
Il don't think it matters" she said. Il
never have thought such things mattered.
What does matter is to judge gently and
not to como down like slcdgc hammer
on other peoples failings. Who are we,
any of us, that we should be hard on
othcrs?"
"'And not como down like slcdgo ham
mer ON other people S failings, " he repeat
cd slowly Il wonder if have ever judged
gently?"
II believe you have" she answered.
He shook his head.
NO." he said Il have been paltry
follow. / have been lying here and else
where, too, eating my heart away with bit
terncss until you came, Since then have
sometimes forgotten to feel bitter. A little
kindness does away with Il great deal of
bitterness.
He turned YEARLY on his side.
II think l could sleep, Little Brick" he
said almost in Il whisper. II want to
dream about your sermon. And I'm not
to worry, am ~
"No, she answered as she stepped noise
lcssly across the room, you are not to
worry"
TO BE CONTINUED.