Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-07-14

vance. The story, as time passed,
grew from dim outline to full his
tory of his early years, embellished
with many details of his family and
connections.
In Illinois March is month TO try
mems souls-and lungs. 1t has neither
the cold reserve of February nor the
weeping grace of April, but mas
uuerades as both. Like a shrewish
woman it is never two days the same.
The year Blake was i'll it would snow
one day, wet. heavy fall that taxed the
muscles of the family man cleaning his
walks, and on the next would come a
thaw, black humps of mud would show
| in the street and the wooden sidewalks
would steam in the sun and freeze in
| the shade. The air was full of pene-
trnting dampness and half the town
| was ill.
| One morning at breakfast Mrs. Pat
| terson told her other boarders that Mr..
Blake had pneumonia-he had been all
| ing for few days. HE wouldn't wear
rubbers, even in this slop," she said, re-
| gretfully, land now he's down sick
When I tried to make him he told me
to mind my own business"
He grew worse rapidly and the doctor
said his chances for recovery were slim.
When Mrs. Patterson heard this she felt
it was her duty to smooth his path TO
the other world. "Of course, I'm
Presbyterian" she said to her board
ers, but Mr.. Blake always had lean
ings toward the Methodists, so I'll ask
their minister TO GOMEZ just say for
everybody to choose their own religion
and their own doctors-if you like little
pills have 'em, and if you like caloIrsl
have that"
The minister was young man with
an earnest desire TO do good. but not
much idea of how to go about it. He
fancied that the task of preparing
Brother Blake for better world would
be an unpleasant one, but he resolved
TO do his best.
He entered the darkened room with
the landlady, who retired after men,
tioning his name. The air was heavy
with the smell of turpentine and drugs;
on the pillow he could just discern the
gray head and round. unshorn face of
the sick man. He stepped softly to the
bedside. Brother Blake. ] am sorry
to see you in this state" he said. in a
voice which he meant to make both
cheerful and subdued.
mot half as sorry as am" Blake re-
piled, grimly.
"Do you know, brother, that you are
very sick, and may never be any bet
ter?" the minister asked, ignoring
Blake's retort
81 amt an IDIOT" said the old man.
"You didn't suppose was lying here.
for pleasure, did you?"
The minister felt that he had APP
preached Blake from the wrong side.
"You want to go to Heaven, of course?"
he said.
IL dunno" answered Blake; 81 guess
I'm satisfied with Eelinoy."
The minister thought he would hui
NOR the fancy. so he said. in a spright-
~ way: illinois is a fine state. but
your mud is bad"-he was from Ohio.
"Yes; it's terrible bad on trade, in
winter. Don't hardly pay to keep open
some years"
The minister could see that their talk
was tending more toward finance than
the salvation of souls. He made an
other attempt TO introduce the solemn
subject. "You have friends on the 9th
er side of the river?"
"What river" asked Blake, staring at
the young man. THE Caholia?"
81 spoke fguratively," he Said. en-
barrassed.
That's the trouble with you parsons.
You always talk like a hymn book"
II beg your pardon; I meantthat you
had friends in Heaven"
The old man had fit of coughing be-
fore he could reply. Then he said:
'sThey amt let me know if they are
there"
The minister was quite discouraged
with this cynical old heather. Don't
you wish to make peace with your
Lord" he asked. sadly, so you can join
your bride?'
MY bride!" said Blake. 81 haven't
got any BRIDE"
81 mean your almost bride-she is
surely in Paradise"
81 tell you | haven't got an almost
bride in Heaven or anywhere else" the
sick man protested. vigorously.
"Ah-we all know your sad story"
rejoined the minister. 1--WE have heard
how you were ready to be married when
your betrothed was taken. 1t must have
been sore trial, but you will soon be
reunited forever"
81 tell you / never was united and
won't be now" said Blake.
ourbetrothed waits, "cried the min
lister, with some of his Sunday feryor.
After your life of faithfulness, what
joy TO meet."
"See here-I say l never had any be-
frothed," the old man answered, mad |
dened by the others persistence.
ssYou were surely about IN marry /