The National tribune., 1898-09-29

watching and uneasiness, and the state
OF annihilation in which | was, both
pnyslcaiiy and morally, after despair had
taken the place OF the giimmering hope
winch sustained us to the last moment.
was such that fell into state OF insensi-
oIiity, which ended in a profound sleep.
a"oke on the following day with my son
III my arms. But how frIehtful was my
state on awakening. All that was hor-
iipie IN my position presented itself to my
Imagination.
The funeral took place on the following
DAY, and was attended by every inhab-
itant of Jala- -Jala. My wife's body was
church which had caused to be erected,
and before which altar she had so often
poured forth prayers for my happiness
for a long time mourning and conster-
nation reigned in -Jala All my In
dams showed the deepest sympathy for
the loss which they had suffered
for several days | continued in a
thorough depression, unable to attend to
| anything except TO the cares which my
son, then my only remaining consolation
| required. Three weeks elapsed before
9uitted the room in which my poor wife
had expired. I.then received a note from
Josephine. who was dangerously ILL., The
note ended Come. my dear Paul; come
To me. We shall weep together. ! feel
that your presence will afford some conso-
| lation.
| did not hesitate to comply with the
request. 1t required strong effort on my
| part TO conceal from her my anxiety on
finding her laboring under most serious
malady. My forebodings were correct. for
| eight days afterwards poor Josephine ex-
| pred In my arms, after the most poignant
| suffeIings. What abundant sources of woe
| IN so short space of timei 1t required "a
| constitution strong as mine was TO bear
IL n "a n ST n her of nd
| not 10 iall under the burden.
THE DEPTHS OF GRIEF
When ] had paid the last duties to my
sister-in-law ! went back to Jala-Jala.
was obliged to betake myself to my forests
and to my mountains in order to recover
little calmnesS. Some months passed
over before | could attend to my affairs,
but the last wishes OF my poor wife re-
quired to be fulfilled and ] was TO quit
the Philippines and return to my country
commenced preparations for the pur-
pose. ! made over my establishment to
my friend Vide, who was, as considered,
the person best adapted for carrying out
my plans, and for treating my poor In
dians well. He requested me TO stop a
little time with him. and to show him the
secrets of my little government ! con-
Sented, and the more willingly as those
few months would serve to render my
son stronger, and better able 10 support
therefore remained at Jala -Jala but
life had become painful to me There
was nothing to distract me, nothing to re-
move the most painful thoughts from me
The pretty spots of Jala- -Jala, over which
had often looked with the greatest
pleasure, had become altogether indiffer-
ent to me. ] sought out the most melan-
choly and silent places. / often went to
the banks Of rivulet. concealed in the
midst OF high mountains, and shaded by
lofty trees. This spot was perhaps known
to no other person. and probably no hu
seated in it. There ! gave free evnt to my
bitter secollections. When the thought |
of my son drove away these sOmber rev
cries ! returned slowly to my house, |
where found the poor child. who, by his |
caresses. seemed to try to find some way
to cause change in my grief; but they |
seemed only to recall the time when |
Anna always came to welcome me home, |
ana when, claSping me IN her arms she |
caused me to forget all the toll and trouble |
met with when absent from her Alas |
that blissiul time had f'own away. and |
was never to return, and in losing my |
companion lost every happiness
My friend Vide tried every means in his !
power to rouse me. He spoke to me often
OF France, Of my mother, and of the con !
ISOLATION ] should feel on presenting my
son to her. The love of my country ami
the thought OF finding there those afiec
tioEs G, which stood so much IN need
was soft balm, which lulled for while
the SufferingS that were constantly vibrat-
ing in the bottom of my heart
My Indians were deeply afflicted on
learning the resolution | had taken o,
quitting them. They showed their trouble
by saying to me every time they address
cd me- oh, master, what will become O
rs when we shall not see you again.
luieted them as well as could by assur
ng them that Vidie would exert himsel
or their welfare; that when my son SHOULD
% grown up l would come back with him