The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1901-04-26

into gan L COulQ De merry also anu
sing as go about the house, making it
pleasant and comfortable against your
speedy return. AS it is, can but lay
my hand softly on my heart as, it's beat
ings grow too impetuous and say: God
bless my absent Philemon and help
him to forgive me! I forgive him and
love him as l never thought could
That you may see that these are not
the weak outpourings of a lonely wom-
an, will here write that heard today
that John and James label have gone
into partnership in the shipbuilding
business, Johns uncle having left him
a legacy of several thousand dollars
l hope they will do well. James, they
say, is to all appearance perfectly
cheerful, is full of business and this
relieves me from too much worry in
his regard God certainly knew what
kind of husband l needed. May you
find yourself equally blessed in your
wife
Another letter to Philemon a year
later:
DEAR PHILEMoN-Hasten home, Phile-
mon: do not like these absences.
am Just now too weak and fearful.
Since we knew the great hope before
us have looked often in your face
for sign that you remembered what
this hope cannot but recall to my
shudderng memory. Philemon, Phile-
mon, was mad? When l think what
l said in my rage and then feel the lit
tie life stirring about my heart, | Won
der that God did not strike me dead
rather than bestow upon me the great
est blessing that can come to woman.
Philemon, Philemon, if anything
should happen the child! think of it
by day, think of it by night. | know
you think of it, too, though you show
me such a cheerful countenance and
make such great plans for the future.
Will God remember my words or will
he forget? 1t seems as if my reason
hung upon this question.
A. note this time in answer to one
from John label:
DEAR JoHN-Thank you for words
which could have come from nobody
else. My child is dead. Could l ex
pect anything different? If did, God
has rebuked me.
Philemon thinks only of me- We un-
derstand each other perfectly, now
that our greatest suffering comes in
each others pain. My load can bear,
but this Come and see me, John, and
tell James our house is open to him.
We have all done wrong, and are
caught in one web of misfortune. Let
| 1t make us friends again.
Below this in Philemon's hand:
My wife is superstitious. Strong and
capable as she is, she has felt that this
sudden taking off of our firstborn as a
sign that certain words uttered by her
on her marriage day, unhappily known
to you and, as l take it, to James also,
have been remembered by the right
| eous God above us. This is weak
ness which cannot combat. Can you
who alone of all the world beside know
4 both it and it's cause, help me by re-
neWed friendship, whose cheerful anG
natural character may gradually make
! her forget? If so, come like old neigh
1 bors and dine with us on our wedding
day. If God sees that we have buried
the past and are ready to forgive eacI
other the faults of our youth, perhaps
He will further spare this good woman
l think she will be able to bear it. She
has great strength except where lit
tie child is concerned. That alone car
henceforth stir the deepest recesses OF
her heart.
After this gap of years. One. two
three, four, five children were lai(
away to rest in Dorchester church
yard, then Philemon and she came t.
Sutherlandtown, but not till after til,
certain event had occurred. best mad
known by this last letter to Philemon
DEAREST HUsBAND-Our babe is born
our sixth and our dearest, and the re
proach of its first look had to be me
by me alone. Oh. why did leave yol
and come to this great Boston. where
have no friends but Mrs. Sutherland
Did think could break the spell o
fate or Providence by giving birth t
my last darling among strangers?
shall have to do something NOR
llltI llluL IL / NOttlu save llllS CullQ |
our old age. 1t is borne in upon IN
like fate that never will a child prospe
of my breast or survive the clasp @
my arms. If it is to live, it must b
reared by others. Some woman VIII
has not brought down the curse c
heaven upon her by her own blaspht
mics must nourish the tender fran
and receive the blessing of its grow
ing love. Neither nor you can hoI
to see recognition in our babes ey
Before it can turn upon us with love
will close in it's last sleep. and we wi
be left desolate. What shall we d
then. with this little son? To who's
4 guardianship can we intrust it? L
you know a man good enough or w
. man sufficiently tender? | do not, bl
y if God wills that our little Frederic
I should live he will raise up some OF
I by the pang of possible separation q
y ready tearing my heart. believe TIL
) he will raise up some one.
u Meanwhile did not dare to kiss IL
5 child lest should blight it. He is