The San Francisco call., 1896-04-23
Though He Has No Definite
Plans for the Future He
Hopes for the Best.
He HASN'T LOST HIS GRIP.
Mrs. McDonald's Illness Will Deter
Him From Taking Any Steps
for the Present.

"I'm poor man now, but haven't lost
my grip"
Thus did Richard II. Mcdonald describe
his present position as he sat yesterday
evening beside the sofa where his sick wife
lay. During Saturday and Sunday her
joy at having her husband once more by
her side, free man, had kept her up and
made her seem as gay and blithesome as q
girl; but Sunday night the reaction came.
and the loving, hard-worked wife sue
cumbed to the effects of two years ply
sical exertion and mental strain. During
those two years, three times daily, in all
weathers, she had prepared her husband s
food and carried it 60 the Jail, and served
it to him with her own hands. Incum-
bered with household cares, she had been
obliged to go from place to place in all
quarters of the City in the interest of the
husband who was unable to do his own
errands; and while her labor of love was
necessary, she never faltered. But now
that she had her husbands $ arm to sustain
her, her husbands feet ready to run in her
service, her Iong-tried strength has given
way, and she seems as helpless as child.
Until she gets BETTER" continued Mr..
Mcdonald, II cannot devote my attention
to get her on her feet TO prove that
wish to show her some gratitude for her
unceasing devotion, which was my Joy and
comfort amid scenes which now shudder
to recall. If her health does not mend
cannot think of entertaining any business
proposal.
cat the same time I must take some
measures to keep the wolf from the. door.
AT present am preparing letter to my
father and he will certainly give me what
aid and advice may be necessary. l have
reason to know that he is hard pushed for
money, but if he has anything at all
know he will strain point for me. have
also few friends in town who have prom
ised to stand by me. do not care to men
tion any names as neither they nor / have
formulated any plans as yet, nor do l
know what form those plans are likely to
take.
"As for the banking business. have seen
so much of trouble and suffering durinr
the time / spent in it and atterward that l
hardly feel like EN- barking in it again.
''But Dick Mcdonald is not down. A
man may go through many severe trials
and see many dark day, and yet his
all / have made up my mind not to give
up, and will hold my own. And. thank
God, l am not alone. The kindness, the
offers of assistance and the assurances of
sympathy which | have received and am
continually receiving fairly overpower me.
With friends SO loyal and with hopes re-
vived can afford to meet the future face
to face without quailing."
A low sigh from the sofa summoned Mr..
Mcdonald to his wife's side. With hands
as gentle as those of woman he arranged
the pillows and Strengthened the cover
ings. A look of loving gratitude from a
pair of heavy, tired-looking eyes was his
reward, and he was satisfied.
AZ will get to work and make q name for
myself. l will save my wife from every
care and trouble; and my worst and bit
terest enemies will have to acknowledge
that Dick Mcdonald, whom they call a
thief, periurer and villain, is and
always has been an honest man. And
then the woman who has worked herself
nearly to death for my sake may find that
she has husband of whom no woman
under heaven need be ashamed
And the last glance of the setting sun
saw the man whose history has been so
strangely eheckered with mystery and
suffering sitting beside his wife with her
hand in his.