Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1899-08-31

| eSbNNASi NoihpiiiucHldiy " NhS NNP"i eS~
| gentleman.
Poor dear!" she said one day. "Ht
tried so hard to speak. If he only
could have told his wants." We never
asked her any questions. We just let
her talk on, feeling that this was kind
est and best. inferred from this last
remark that her husband had been af-
fected with paralysis. particularly as
she had said on another occasion, Il
used TO sit at my window and James
sat at his, sewing, he looking out of
the windows at what was going on In
the street. He seemed perfectly hap
py as long as | 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
/ asked
They said 1t was the breaking up
or the system by old age. l 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
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 a bowl Of
cream with fresh sponge cake in 1T.
He would not touch it unless 1t was in
certain bowl nor unless it 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 peculiarties. 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 | inferred
that the dear departed had come OF
family Of unpleasant tempers. Such
heathenish doings l never heard tell
of. Surely, however they felt towards
him during his life, nothing but a fiend
would deny him the family resting
place after he was dead
But | 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 a week. Now,
Tom was a favorite cousin of mine,
and spent coed deal Of time fur
nishing up my little belongings so that
might look my very best when he
came. And then, l was putting finish
ing touches to Toms room, too, until
the minute he arrived, so that | really
had no time to talk to Mrs. Knapp or
to listen to her if she wished to talk
to me.
Dear old Tom! How good it was to
see him that day with his blithe ways
and "bonny brown hairr We talked
and talked till supper was called, and
then we still talked all the way to the
dining room door, and yet we found
time TO say nothing about anyone but
As we seated ourselves at
the table l saw Mrs. Knapp's vacant
place (for she was little late) and
realized that had not mentioned her
presence in our household.
why, we have a boarder, Tom" l
began, in answer to his look of inquiry
at the empty place. Just as l spoke
she glided in.
why, who on earth would have
thought of finding you here!" and he
shook her hand in grasp so hearty
that l could see it was painful to her.
She colored family, and said little
unsteadiy, This is, indeed, surprise,
Mr.. Dixon" and l read between the
lines that the surprise was not an al
together agreeable one.
But Tom didn't seem to notice any
thing (most men are dumb about such
things, you know, so / kept my eyes
and ears open, and waited for develop
ments.
At last they came, and in the most |
manner.
So hear poor Jim Is gone at last?"
said Tom, turning to Mrs. Knapp as
he buttered his seventh biscuit (Tom
always was rather a greedy youth, and
enjoyed most heartily the good things
Of this life, mothers cooking among
Lhem)
"Oh, Mr.. Dixon, how can you speak
Of him in that way!" exclaimed the
widow, hurrying from the room, in
it of sobbing.
Tom stared.
We'll, I'll be darned! What under
he sun is the matter with the woman,
lnyway?" he exclaimed.
you ought to be ashamed of your
self" replied l, severely. mo wonder
he poor woman is shocked to hear
you speak of her husband in that way
after he's dead and gone"
Tom stared again. And then he
,roke into such spasms Of laughter
hat thought he had suddenly lost his
mind. l had heard of such things, but
had fortunately been spared the sight
If them so far.
Her husband" he exclaimed, when
lie could catch his breath, as he wiped