The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1900-05-09

spoke within even more powerfully
and whispered TO him: "My son, give
me thine heart Cease TO do evil; learn
to do well. Cleanse thy ways and fol-
low after righteousness"
1t was | o'clock when Mr.. Hardy
came down stairs, and as he came into
the room where Mrs Hardy and the
girls were sitting he happened TO think
of some business matters between him
self and his only brother, who lived In
the next town. 20 miles down the road.
He spoke of the matter to Mrs.
Hardy. and she suggested that VIII go
down on the 3 O'clock train with the
papers Mr.. Hardy wanted to have his
brother look over and come back on
the o'clock I'm time for dinner.
Clara asked II she couldn't go, too,
and Bessie added her request. as she
had not seen her aunt for some time.
Mr.. Hardy saw no objection 10 their
going. only he reminded them that he
wanted them all back at 6. Alice vol
untecred TO amuse George at home
while all the rest were gone, and Mr..
and Mrs. Hardy departed for the flu
neral, Mr.. Hardy's thoughts still alb
sorbed for the most part with his older
boy. Clara had asked no questions
concerning the interview with James,
and her father simply stated that they
could have n good talk about 1t in the
evening.
The tenement Mt No. 7G0 was crowd
ed, and in spite Of the wintry weather
large numbers of men and women
stood outside in the snow. Mr.. Hardy
had ordered his sleigh, and he and his
wife had gone down TO the house in
that. ready To take some one to the
cemetery.
The simple service as it began was
exceedingly impressive TO Mr. Hardy
Most of the neighbors present looked
at him and his well dressed wife in
sullen surprise. She noticed the looks
with heightening color, but Mr.. Har-
dy was too much absofbed in his
thoughts Of what he had done and left
undone in this family TO be influenced
by the behavior Of those about him.
Mr.. Jones offered a prayer for the
comfort of God to rest on the stricken
family. He then read "A few words
from Johns gospel appropriate to the
occasion and said few simple words,
mostly addressed to the neighbors
present. The poor widow had been re.
moved to a small room up stairs and
lay there cared for by the faithful sis
ter. The minister had nearly conclud-
ed his remarks when voice was heard
in the room above voices eXpoStulat-
ing in alarm and growing louder, fol-
lowed by rapid movement in the mar
row ball above, and with n scream Of
frenzy the wife rushed down the stairs
and burst into the room where the dead
body of her husband lay. She had sud
denly awakened out Of the fainting
stupor in which she had been lying
since her husbands death and realized
what was going on in the house with a
quick gathering OF passion and
strength. such as even the dying some
times are known TO possess. She had
escaped from her sister and the neigh
Dor who were watching with her and,
crazy with grief. flung herself over the
coffin. moaning and crying out in such
heartbreaking accents that all present
were for a moment flung into state of
inaction and awe.
But Mrs. Hardy was first to move to-
ward the stricken woman. Where did
the wife Of the once naughty and proud
man learn the touch of sympathy that
drew that other poor sister nearer to
her and finally soothed her into quiet
ness? Certain ii Is that suffering in
her own home had marvelously taught
the richly dressed Nyuau. the refined,
cultured lady, TO hold this other one 20
be of the same household Of God with
her. So ii was that she finally succeed
ed in drawing her away into the other
room and there held her, gasping for
breath, now that the brief strength was
spent, and crying feebly: 80 Cod, help
me- Don't keep me here in this world
any longer"
If this brief scene thrilled the neigh
bors with pity, what shall be said of
its effect on Robert Hardy? For a
moment ii seemed to him more than he
could bear. He started to his feet and
put his hands before his face. Then,
calming himself by n great effort, he
sat down, and his face became almost
like n stone in its rigidity. When his
wife finally succeeded in getting the
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