Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1898-04-22

she died on her wedding day, as was
quite proper. Blake was crazed with
grief and from that time he was 4
changed man-a cynic and woman
halter. He then left his eastern home
and came west, finally settling in She
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 a month to try
mems souls-and lungs. 1t has neither
the cold reserve of February nor the
weeping grace of April, but mas
querades as both. Like 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-
trating dampness and half the town
was i'll.
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 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.
10, r. 1,o f11{
it was her duty to smooth his path to
the other world. COT course, I'm Il
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 you like little
pills have 'em, and if you like calomel
have that"
The minister was a young man with
an earnest desire to do good, but not
much idea of how to go about it, He
fanced 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 landiady, 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.
''Not 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
"You want to go to Heaven, of course?"
he said.
II Dunno" answered Blake; 81 guess
I'm satisfied with Ee]inoy."
The minister thought he would hu-
NOR the fancy, so he said, in a spright-
ly way: "Ilhnois is fine state, but
your mud is bad''-he was from Ohio.
= Eyes; 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
err side of the river?"
"What river?" asked Blake, staring at
the young man. The Cahokia?''
Il spoke figuratively," he said, EN-
barrassed.
''That's the trouble with you parsons
You always talk like hymn book
II beg your pardon; meant that you
had friends in Heaven"
The old man had fit of coughing be-
fore he could reply. Then he said:
''They 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 you1
Lord he asked, sadly, $50 you can join
your bride?"
my bride!" said Blake. Il haven't
got any BRIDE
II mean your almost bride-she is
surely in Paradise.''
Il tell you 1 haven't got an almost
bride in Heaven or anywhere else" the
sick man protested, vigorously.
''Ah-we all know your sad story
reioined the minister. "We have heard
how you were ready to be married when
your betrothed was taken. It must have
been a sore trial, but you will soon be
reunited forever"
| 81 tell you I never was united and
won't be now" said Blake.
''Your betrothed waits" cried the min
lister, with some Of his Sunday fervor
after your Ii, Of faithfulness, what
JOY to 1neet!'
''See here-I say I never had any be
trothed," the old man answered, mad
dened by the others persistence.
'You were surely about to marry