The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1899-09-28

the street. He seemed perfectly hap
~ as long as I was there. But then
we can never tell. often wish now
that had done more for him. or could
have learned better what he wanted
What did the physicians say or dor
l asked.
They said 1t was the breaking up
Of the system by old age. never
felt that they quite understood the
case"
Poor little thing! Married to an
aged paralytic and yet regretting his
death as the breaking up Of the one
tie on earth! What desolation. what
utter desolation her case seemed to
me! l was moved TO take her in my
arms and weep with her, which was a
great deal for me.
Not only was the late Mr.. Knapp old
and imbecile and paralytic. but he had
other traits which must have rendered
him highly Objectionable as a daily
companion.
Just about this time every after
noon | always gave James bowl OF
cream with fresh sponge cake in 1t.
He would not touch 1t unless 1t was In
certain bowl nor unless 1t was fresh
from the bakers. And yet they tried
to persuade me that he didn't know
anything"
From which inferred that. added to
his other peculiarities. the late Mr..
Knapp possessed an extremely unpleas-
ant temper.
And, oh, Mrs. Curtis" she walled,
after the poor dear was dead and
gone they wouldn't let me bury him In
the family lot" From which l inferred
that the dear departed had come Of a
family OF unpleasant tempers. Such
heathenish doings | never heard tell
OF. Surely, however they felt towards
him during his life, nothing but fiend
would deny him the family resting
place after he was dead.
But l forgot my interest in Mrs.
Knapp and her affairs by reason OF
some of my own. | had a delightful
letter from Tom Dixon, saying he
would be with us for week. Now
Tom was a favorite cousin of mine
and | spent a good deal OF time fur
nishing up my little belongings SO thai
| might look my very best when h
came. And then, Vas putting finish
ing touches to Toms room, too, until
the minute he arrived, SO that really
had no time to talk to Mrs. Knapp Of
to listen to her IL she wished to tall
to me.
Dear old Toni How good 1t was t
see him that day with his blithe way
and "bonny brown hair!" We talks'
and talked till supper was called, AM
then we still talked all the way to tn
dining room door. and yet we foun,
time to say nothing about anyone Blu
ourselves. AS we seated ourselves a
the table I saw Mrs. Knapp's vacan
place (for she was a little late) an
realized that had not mentioned he
presence in our household.
why, we have a boarder, Tom,"
began, in answer to his look of inquir
at the empty place. Just as l spok
she glided in.
Why, who on earth would hav
thought of finding you here!" and b
shook her hand in grasp so heart
that l could see it was painful to he
She colored family, and said littl
unsteadily, This Is, indeed, surpris
MI. Dixon" and l read between II
lines that the surprise was not an a
together agreeable one.
But Tom didn't seem to notice an!
| (Vnn a
things. you know, so l kept my ey'
and ears open, and waited for develop
ments.
At last they came, and In the mo-
startling manner.
so hear poor Jim is gone at last
said Tom, turning to Mrs. Knapp
he buttered his seventh biscuit (To
always was rather a greedy youth. ar
enjoyed most heartily the good thin
of this life, mothers cooking amor
: them.
- "Oh, Mr.. Dixon, how can you spes
= OF him in that way!" exclaimed Il
: widow, hurrying from the room. in
:, At of sobbing.
Tom stared.
81 We'll, I'll be darned! what una
- the sun is the matter with the woma
70 anyway" he exclaimed
you ought to be ashamed of you
n SELF" replied |, severely. mo wond
i the poor woman is shocked to he
q you speak of her husband in that W
after he's dead and gone"
In Tom stared again. And then
/ broke into such spasms of Taught
10 that l thought he had suddenly lost
re mind. l had heard Of such things,
7 had fortunately been spared the sig
TO of them SO far
Her husband" he exclaimed, VIII
at he could catch his breath, as he wiz
Ill the tears from his eyes. Her hi
at band! She hadn't any husband. S
he never was married. Jim was her
n black cat!" and then he went off ag'
at into spasms.
No wonder the hard-hearted relati'
ed had objected to having all that v
alf mortal of "the late Mr.. Knapp Il
,r- in the family lot!
er Mother and l looked at each oil
TO- and said nothing. What was there
ly. say? But we thought things. l do
He know whether they were the sa