Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1897-04-22

| NE WV I"F her head on my
Lr5 shoulder she sobbed
%k her thanks, and
~ continued her sto'
ry, calmer now be-
cause Of this little
act Of sympathy,
Amos, my son, was in the hospital
for more than a year, and most of that
time | was like woman in a dream
was told that for months didn't
know a soul about me, and 1t was never
expected | should rise from my bed.
But the Lord was good to me, and got
well slowly-oh, so slowly, Amos! For
long time | could not remember what
had taken place, but little by little 1t
came back to me. Then | was told that
when | was taken to the hospital they
did not know who was, and that there
was nothing in my pocket by which
they could have found out my name,
They suspected, they said, that | had
sailors for my relations, for talked a
great deal about the sea; but that was
all they could discover. No one came
to see me all the time was In the hos
pital, and when | was strong enough
they let me 90 home. When | got back
to the cottage found a neighbor living
In 1t, who thought that / was dead, as
| believed you to be before tonight, my
dear son. The neighbors had heard
nothing of the accident, and they all
believed me to be dead; and they came
about me, now that | was risen from
the grave, as 1t might be, and those who
were hardest upon me before made 1t
up to me In kindness. Then | heard
that l had lost my son--that the ship
he was In had foundered, and that not
a soul in her had been saved. heard
more, my son-shall l tell it?"
Tell It" said, steeling my voice.
Don't blame me, Amos, and bear ii
like brave man, for my sake, dear. !
asked after Mabel, and the first thing
heard was that she had baby. Go
and bring her, said to the neighbors
who were about me-'go and bring her
and my sons child to me. Tell her am
living, and am yearning to embrace
them both. They looked at one another,
and gradually the story came out.
Shortly after the news Of the loss of the
Blue Jacket with all hands reached the
neighborhood, Mabel and her mother
went away"
Where to? Where is my wife and
child?"
They left England altogether, for
Australia; and since then nothing has
been heard of them"
CONSERVATION at this startling news
struck ME dumb for time, and my
mother was too frightened to break the
silence. This night, which in my eager
anticipation was to have been filled
with joy had brought desolation and
despair to my heart.
Have you anything more to say"
asked family, when could muster
question before my mother replied, ard
then the words fell like drops of poison
from her lips.
amos, Mabel did not go alone"
"You have already told ME so, Her
mother and my child were with her. My
childv' stretched forth my arms in an
agony of disannnintment
Some one else was with her, my
son."
"Who?"
"Mr. bruce, your enemy"
l shook her from me roughly, and
stood upon the threshold of the room,
The snow floated in, but / did not heed
1t l heard my mothers step behind me.
stop where you are" cried, fierce.
ly. Don't approach close to me, nor
look into my race! You have hardened
my heart toward you. 1t is for me to
speak now, and for you to listen. You
believe that my wife is unfaithful to
me. You, my mother, have said so to
me-to my face. 1t is lie Do you
hear me? 1t Is a lie!'
My vehemence shook her to the soul,
you made me speak" she faltered,
las though l were on my death-bed. |
have obeyed you, my son-I have
obeyed you. Oh, Amos, my heart is
breaking"
"And mine is filed with joy and hap
uiness at what you have told me-" |
retorted. "a loving mother you have
proved yourself to me on this bitter
Christmas night"
"Amos, Amos" she cried, in an
agony of grief 1T is not my fault,
know what you must suffer. would
not dare to tell you what the neighbors
said Of her"
"You would not dare" l said, "fol
| should not stop to hear. 1t needs nc
telling; you yourself have made me ac'
Quainted with the SANDERS their false
tongues spoke respecting me. Well, yol
knew them to be liars, but you wert
willing enough to listen to them after
ward, when their tune was changed
But what does it matter what lot o
gossiplng, tittle-tattling women sa!
| ahout a man? He Is strong to beay it