The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1898-01-05

strangely Wnen anyone spoke 10 the
wife. She was pale and silent; only
once did she speak of anything that she
wanted done, and then she called Nam
ME hesitatingly: "Tell him I don't
want him to speak SOS can hear. It
it wouldn't seem proper, somehow. 1t
won't make any difference to Ezra now,
and l." she faltered a moment, and
tender light came into the faded blue
eyes-"I guess he can't say anything
about my husband that don't know a
hundred times better than him."
"I'll tell him, mother" said Mamie,
gently.
Her mother spoke slowly, choosing
her words. "And tell him." she said,
that we've lived together 80 years, and
it don't seem more than 80 weeks as 1
look back. And tell him that in it all
was never an angry word, never any
thing but love cant speak of; and tell
him." she was crying little now, but
her face was still touched with the won
derful light, "tell him the only thing
I'm sorry for now is that there wasn't
more / could do to show my love for my
husband"
~ will tell him ALL" said Mamie.
That was a strange funeral-the
neighbors spoke of it afterwards. The
still figure that sat dead to the words
of tender healing spoken by the minis
ter seemed to lend an element of mys-
terry to the scene, and the contrast be-
tween the darkened room and the bril-
liant, sparkling world outside flashed
upon their eyes like miracle.
They spoke of it on the way home,
and said that Ezra had been good hus-
band to her, and no one would fill his
place. Mamie means all right" Mrs.
Tarbox said, smoothing her black
dress, ''but she hasn't time to set down
and make work of entertaining her
mother"
"'Tis so," answered Mrs. Slocum,
land Hester'll miss entertaining Ezra,
too. "Tain't as though she wasn't af-
ficted, either way. She's young and
spry enough yet, but it seems most as il
ITS no USE"
81 shall sort O. miss hearing them
summer evenings" said her friend.
I'VE were so near, you know--it seemed
almost like company
II guess We'll all feel bad to see the
house shut up responded Mrs. Slocum,
her voice full of the solemnity of the &C.
casion.
And Mrs. Banks, all unconscious OF
the talk, was being driven over to Nan
MES. She was so quiet that her daugh-
ter did not disturb her. II don't feel
as if knew what to say to her, though
she is my MOTHER" she whispered to
her husband.
They helped her tenderly into the
house and Mamie put her into the east
est chair. From the next room baby
voice broke in upon them.
Mamma, can see dram ma? Mamie
wants to see dran'ma!"
Mamie was hurrying to the door
when voice stopped her. "Let me have
Mamie, please-it's SO long since
have!"
Mamie stopped at the door, a great
wonder in her eyes. why mother" she
exclaimed.
Her mother looked up at her with
little tremulous smile.
Eyes, know. l meant to tell you be-
fore, but couldn't someways. I've
beard all the time; was only deaf a
day or two from cold. thought l real
ly was at first, and then l kept it up be-
cause it comforted = him - somehow.
He'd felt he was old and breaking
down, you know, but when did, too,
he felt better and cheered right up.
There was only one thing-I did want
the baby so! And it seemed as if
'twould break my heart when she did
| come not to answer her, and to have her
strain her little voice to make me heart"
"And you kept it up all these
months!" said Mamie, in a hushed
tone.
Her mother looked up; she was hold
ing little Mamie with eager, trembling
hands, and it almost seemed as if the
golden baby head reflected wonderful
light upon her tired face.
81 guess when you've loved a man
more than 80 years that isn't much to
do" she said.-Pacifc Rural Press.
st. Martin.
On a recent Sunday the pious folk of
Tours were engaged in celebrating the