The Forrest City times., 1900-05-04

eo ie"'e III case ahytnlng happens to me"-Mr. Jobson said, "in case any thing happens to me" in an exceeding ly affecting, sepulchral way-"and l might as we'll dispose of these matters now"
 But don't you think it would be as we'll to wait to see wha. the doctor says? He night"
 My dear. this presentiment I have is stronger than any superficial words of any mere doctor could possibly be-" said Mir. Jobson, dsmally. 'T know that I'm dished this time. and that I'm not going to get over this. What ever the doctor says won't change me in my belief little bit"
 Here Mir. Jobson paused and took Mrs. Jobson's hand and squeezed it.
 II hope you won't always think of me simply as of cranky old pest" he said, with a shadowy, spiritual smile. "I know I've jawed and raised Ned without any occasion a good many times, and guess you've had pretty hard time of it humoring me, little girl"
 Here Mrs. Jobson began to sob quite convulsively, and she tried to deny his self-accusations.
 "Oh, there's no denying it all-I know it," said Mir. Jobson. Now that I'm about ready to make my peace in this world, 1 can clearly see that for good many years past I've been the crankiest and hardest-to- -get.along- with old nuisance in the District of Columbia or anywhere else, but I'm square enough to own up to it all, anyhow, now that my end approaches, and that's something. But 1 hope you won't hold it all against me after after-well, when I'm no longer here. There are lot of little ways in which I know now I might have made your life happier, but all of us poor mortals are more or less blind, and it is too late now"
 Here Mir. Jobson studied the ceiling sadly for space, while Mrs. Jobson walked to the window and wondered if the doctor would never come
 I've said lot of things in anger that I feel now as if should have cut my tongue out before saying" went on MT. Jobson, folding his hands over the bed coverings and looking preter- naturally peaceful, land I've let the million and one little kind things you've done for me all these years go unnoticed and unspoken of. But never mind. I've always meant we'll, and I can only hope that you'll remember in the after years whatever few little good traits l may have possessed, in stead of dwelling in your thoughts up on my meanness to you"
 "Mean?" began Mrs. Jobson, sob- bingly. Who ever said you were"
 But Mir. Jobson waved aside with movement of his right arm whatever she intended to say.
 'sThe time is short, I fear, my dear,". he said, "and there are a number of matters l ought to speak of. l think will leave you pretty fairly provided for. Of course, everything have goes to you. The life insurance is all paid up, and my affairs are in good shape. As l say, have felt this typhoid com ing over me for some time past, and I've been strengthening out my affairs during the past week or so. Now, there's one thing I want to say. You're still comparatively young and handsome woman-no. no, no, don't interrupt me-and I'm not such mean proposition as to ask you to- promise me that you'll never marry again. think that a man who'd make his, wife promise that 'ud steal sheep. You won't want for admirers, little woman, and nothing 'ud please me bet ter than to have you pick out some square, upright man-not pesky old crank like me--who'd take care of you and give you much better home than I've ever been able to provide for you, and marry him. Of course, it would be we'll for you to wait a proper length of time after my"
 Just then there was loud ring at the front door bell, and Mrs. Jobson hurried downstairs, with her handker- chief still at her eyes.
 Mercy on us!" exclaimed the old family physician, bustling in, whats all this? Jobson on the point of disso- lution again, eh? Come, come, come, this won't do! Where is the man? I'll just look him over and have him playing hop-scotch with the boys out in front by tomorrow morning"
 ''How are you, doc?" said MT. Job son, when the physician entered the room. q guess I'm little beyond you this time-typhoid, beyond a doubt, as you'll see in minute. I've told the little woman about it, so that you won't have the bother of breaking it to her. Now, I'd like to have you tell me, as nearly as you can, how long I've got to-
 "Tush, lush! Let me see your tongue, man." said the old medical man, and then he produced his little thermometer and rapped Mir. Jobson over the heart, and put his ear to Mir Jobson's chest, and did all kinds of things peculiar to medical men to Mir | Jobson. Then he leaned back in his | chair, unfolded his features and his |