Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-05-22

sny. Do you know before Sim went
away ho wrote note and left it for
me, and In that note he said, IF you
ever need friend, go to Pap Sampson
He said could trust you and depend
on you"
"Lordi Did Sim write that AWAY
bout met? and Pap's face fairly beam
ed with pleasure.
He did"
'.My land. amt that quaire, now?
Who'd ever a. thought Of Sim writin
like that bout old no count scrub
like me? Waal, waal!'
.Sim thought great deal of you,
Pap, more than he thought Of anybody
else"
you don't say sor'
ssYes, do. And it's true too"
WAL, wal! Who'd ~ thought slch
q thing? A old played out plug like me,
too-my, my! But allus liked Sim. He
was a pow'ful fine Teller, Sim was, an
a good, honest Teller too. An Sim told
youto come to me? WAL, SWAMI
'But didn't have to come to you,
did /? You came to me-"
That's quaire, too, amt it? But it's
all right, an now we understand each
other, don't WEI"
II understand that Sim was right
about you"
II hope SO, Loueesy, hope SO. And
now I was Jest a-thinkin bout some
thin that sorter felt like ort to men
ton, but ylt didn't know exactly"
.What is 1t, Pap?"
" dunno, Loueesy. I'm most afeerd
I'll hurt your feelin's."
mo; speak out. know you mean to
do that which is right"
s'Then It is about Melvin. You see,
we know all that bout you an him, m
/ thought-you see, don't know, of
co'se, an may be all in the wrong, but
! kinder lowed mebby, on count Of
what was atwixt you two, that nat'ral-
" you'd like to see him once more. I
Jest sorter lowed 1t mought be that
Away, you know, an hope ain't
said nothin to hurt you"
mo, you have not" she replied, land
perhaps it's wrong, but would like to
see him. I hope you won't think me
wicked, Pap, for God knows I can't
help my feelings"
IT don't, Loueesy. 1t amt my place
to Judge, an amt blamin nobody for
nothin. / know It's sad that you an
Sim couldn't git along, but If you
couldn't you couldn't, an that's all thar
Is to 1t. Sim amt never faulted you
for nothin, an I'm moughty shore I
amt a-goin to nuther. Whatever may
be said, know one thing, Loueesy, an
that Is, no matter what you thought Of
anybody else, you've always been a
true wife to Sim. Your conduct has
been right, an that's all the world has
got to do with. Your thoughts an your
fealin's is atwixt you an your God"
And God knows never meant to do
wrong" Louisa said, "but did when
married Sim without loving him. But
didn't know, Pap; didn't know. /
was too young. flowed the other then,
but liked Sim, and wasn't sure. oh,
love is so cruel, SO cruel!'
mo, Loueesy, 1t amt that. It's that
people amt keerful enough Of what
they're doin when they marry. You
was too young to know your own
heart."
IT was, and the consequence is
have ruined Sims life and made my
self miserable forever"
"No, no. Loueesy. Don't you go to
lookin at 1t that away. Lord, thar's
many years afore you, an thar's no
tellin what all may happen yit. You
jest keep up courage an be as hopeful
as you can, an some of these days
you'll find that all your pains IN suf-
FERNS has been left behind"
mot In this life, Pap. 1t can't ever
be In this hard, cold world"
"But 1t can, an it will. You'll see"
They walked on little way in 81
lence. They were both thinking, and,
though neither of them knew 1t, their
minds were on the same subject. Pres
emily Louisa sighed and, as If speaking
to herself, said:
Poor Sim, poor Sim"
Pap glanced quickly at her face,
while the faint trace Of q smile played
about his Ling IN thNf moment he