Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1900-05-23
CHAPTER III.

C11sAI l LIN A8As
When MI Hardy woke on the morn
ing Of the first Of the seven days left
him to live, he was on the point Of get
ting ready for his days business, as
usual, when the memory Of his dream
flashed upon him, and he was appalled,
to decide what he should do first.
Breakfast was generally hurried and
silent meal with him. The children usu-
ally came struggling down at irregular
intervals, and it was very rare that the
family all sat down together. This
morning Mr.. Hardy waited until all
had appeared. and while they were
eating he held family council.
His wife was evidently in great ex-
citement and anxiety, and yet the love
and tenderness she felt coming back
to her from her husband gave her face
a look Of beauty that had been stran-
ger to 1t for years.
The children were affected by their
fathers remarkable change In various
ways. George was sullen and silent.
Will looked thoughtful and troubled.
u slIl VI NCiy SlkOh6 ohN NSSAN
ed opinions and character, greeted her
father with q kiss and seemed to un-
derstand the new relations he now sus-
tained to them all. Clara appeared ter
rifed. as If death had already come in
to the house. and several times she
broke down, crying at the table, and
finally went away into the sitting
room. Bess sat next to her father, as
she always did. and was the most
cheerful Of all. taking very calm and
philosophical view Of the situation, 80
that Mr.. Hardy smiled once or twice
as she gave her advice.
Mr.. Hardy was pale. but calm. The
impression Of the night before was evil
dently deepening with him. 1t would
have been absurd to call him insane.
His wife was obliged to confess to her
self that he had never appeared more
sound in judgment and calm in speech.
He was naturally man Of very strong
will. His passions, as we have al
ready seen, were under control Never
in all his life had he felt so self con-
tained, so free from nervousness. so
capable Of sustained effort. But the
one great thought that filled his mind
was the thought Of the shortness Of
the time.
almighty God" was his prayer,
"show me how to use these seven days
in the Yisest and best manner"
Robert, what will you do today?"
asked Mrs. Hardy.
81 have been thinking, dear, and l
believe my first duty Is to God. We
have not had morning worship togeth-
er for a long time. After we have
knelt as family in prayer to him be-
lleve he will give me wisdom to know
what ought to do"
81 think father ought to stay at home
with us all the time," said Bess.
Robert" said Mrs. Hardy, who
could not comprehend the full mean
ing Of the situation much better than
little Bess, Twill you give up your
business? How can you attend to It?
Will you have the strength and the pa
tience while laboring under this i'm
pression?"
81 have already thought over that
Yes; l believe l ought to 60 right on.
I don't see what would be gained by
severing my connection with the com.
pany."
"Will you tell the company you
have only Mrs. Hardy could not
say the words. They choked her.
"What would you do, Alice? asked
her father, turning to his oldest daugh-
ter, who, although a cripple. had more
than once revealed to the family great
powers Of judgment and decision.
81 would not say anything to the
company about it." replied Alice
finally.
'That is the way feel" said Mr..
Hardy with a nod Of approval They
would not understand 1t. My successor
in the Office will be young Wellman, In
all probability. and he Is perfectly COM
petent to carry on the work. | feel as
If the matter were one that belonged to
the family. | shall. Of course, arrange
my business affairs with reference to
the situation. and George can give me
half q day for the details. But you
know, Mary. l have always kept my
business in such shape that In any case
Of accident or sudden death matters
could easily be arranged. Thank God!
! shall not have to take time for those
matters that l ought to give to more
nd INN M I,,tiac -
1t was true that Mr.. Hardy, always a
man Of very methodical habits In a
business way, had always arranged his
affairs with reference to accidental re-
moval. His business as manager ne
ceSsitated his being on the road great
deal. and he realized. as many railroad
men do realize. the liability Of sudden
death.
But such a thought had not had any
influence on his actions to make him
less selfish. He thought, as all men do,
that he should probably live right
along after all; that death might take
the engineer or conductor or fireman.
but would pass him by.
Suddenly Will spoke up: Father, do
you want George and me to leave col
lege"
Certainly not. my boy. What would
be gained by that? want you to keep
right on just rs If were going to live
80 years more"
George did not say anything. He
looked at his father as If he doubted
his sanity.