The Bessemer indicator., 1894-05-26

look from my book and find him sob
bing Historically. did not interrupt
his grief, thinking that it was but the
natural result of physical weakness
But one day when was about to read
to him his favorite poem, "The Lady
OF the Lake." he begged me to defer
it lie was unusually pale and
thoughtful on this occasion. On the
previous night he had been in great
pain, and exceedingly restless.
George" said he, in n serious tone,
II am going to write Brooms that our
engagement is off, and tell her why. I
am only half man now," and he made
droll feint of taking off his shoe from
the foot that had been amputated. "If
was to insist on marryin' her she
would be dreadfully disappointed, be-
cause Brooms is the proudest woman
ever did see. 1t would cut her to the
quick to know that she had to be the
wife of one-legged man. I'm sure
she would be too much ashamed to
walk out with n husband who always
had to carry crutch. Yes I'm going
to give Brooms her freedom"
An interval of silence followed, and
then commenced to reason with him.
but he shook his head stubbornly, and
would not listen. He requested me to
get pen and paper and write down his
dictation. 1t was useless putting him
named after me. II Tom was longer
off; he would call another shipmate il
refused, SO l brought writing ma
terials, propped him up on the pillows,
and indited the following. substan-
tially, as it came from his lips:
my DARLING BRooMs: 1 address
you thus for the last time. have met
with nu accident, and only have ono
leg left to meet another of like nature.
am very sorry for both our snlses that
all this has happened, because through
the loss OF my limb l must lose
you, for know you have enough
sense not to care for only half
man. Burn up my letters and
picture. The latter, believe, is full
length, and no longer correct like
ness Keep the parrot brought you
from the South seas by which to re-
member me as once was when could
climb to the main top quicker than
any jolly tar aboard the Natalie. l
hope by the time get back you'll be
married and settled down, with baby
name 1 would insist upon you splitting
it in two, just because-but never
mind why. Brooms, you'll mako some
solid man the sweetest little wife on
earth. There. good-by, Brooms!
could add to the brine of the old sea
il were leaning over the deck rail
AS it is I'm wetting a handkerchief,
ani my friend who writes this for me
u witness Brooms, I'll never for
get you, and am your friend ulwaye,
Ton
Tom managed to scratch down his
owa signature He requested me TO
mail the letter. and sinking back in
the folds of the pillows exhausted, was
soon in slumber.
I did not dare detain the note. After
struggling against strong desire to
do so, / took It lahore with mo in the
afternoon.
Tom was calmer after that; he
seemed stoically resigned. He refueed
TO take any more thin broth, and de-
manded something to eat" Hia irri-
liability was sign of improvement In
health Toms bluntness soms times
might have been mistaken for anger.
One morning about two months
afterward ho surprised every body BY
calling for his clothes and the crutch
that had been provided for him. Hav-
ing been up In . chair several Hmss,
Ne xssistsd him into his clothes. and
hsa tho satisfAstsoa Of seeing Mn tot.
tsr On Aesk. 7s
+ 1sas uetessSss = rsesi,sd : lsassr