Los Angeles herald., 1906-03-11
The Identification Of The Flesh 8

signally. The conversation wavered, recovered
itself, wavered again, and then it fell fiat
Nathan saw that his time had come. He sighed,
cleared his throat, and began: ''Widder, been
thiplIin' good deal lately, an been tall>in'
some with friend O. mine" He felt guiltily
conscious of what that friend had counseled him
to keep back. "Ive been greatly prospered in
my day; in fact, my cup runneth over"
"You have been prospered, Nathan"
"Seems's ef-seems's ef I'd ought to sheer it
with somebody, don't it?'
"Well, Nathan, do know nobody that's more
generous in givin' to the pore than you air.
81 don't mean Jest exactly that way; mean
widder you're the morti-I mean the salvation OF
my soul. Could you-would you-er-do you
think you'd keer to sheer my bessin's with me-
an add another one to emp
The Widow Young looked at him in astonish
ment; then, as she perceived his drift, the tears
filled her eyes and she asked, do you mean it,
Nathan"
'I wouldn't "a spent SO much labor joke,
widder."
mo, it don't seem like you would, Nathan
WE'LL it's sudden, mighty sudden, but / can't
say no."
EUR these an all other blessin's make us truly
thankful, oh Lord, we ask fur His names sake
Amen!" said Nathan, devoutly. And he sat an
other hour with the widow, making plans for tue
early marriage, on which he insisted.
The marriage took place very soon after the
brief wooing was done. But the widow had been
settled in Nathan's home over month before he
had even thought Of telling her of the real mo
tive of his marriage, and every day from the
time it occurred to him it grew harder Tor MN
to do.
Tho charm and comfort Of married life had
wrapped him about as with a mantle. and he vas
at peace with the world. From this state nls
conscience pricked him awake, and on a night
when he had been particularly troubled he sought
his friend and counsellor with clouded brow
Tbev sat together in their accustomed place on
the fence
'.Pm bothered, Sias," said Nathan
'What's the matter"
.rWbv. there's several things. First off,
amt never told the widder that she was morti
6cation an next, she amt. | look around al
that old house O mine that amt been home
sence mother used to scour the hearth, an II
makes me feel like singing fur joy. An | hear
them children playin' around me-they're the
finest children; that youngest one called me
daddy yistiddy-well, / see them playln' around
am nv eyes air opened, an | see that the wid-
der's lest another blessin' added to the rest 1t
looks to me like had tried to cheat the Al
mighty. ..see,
house. Silas took out his pipe and filed it, then
between whiffs he said "Well, now, Nathan,
7 do know as you've got any cause to feel both
cred. You've. done yore duty Ef you've tried to
mortify yore flesh an it refused to mortlty, why,
that's ali YOU could do, an believe the Lord'll
take the will fur the deed an credit you ac'
cordin'ly."
"Mebbe so, silas, mebbe SO; but I've got to do
more O. my duty, I've got to tell her"
| He slipped down from the fence.
Nathan" called his crony, but Nathan hur-
ried away as if afraid to trust time with his
viii "Thats jest like him., said silas, "to go
an spoil it ALL" and he walked down his field
| ~, rrrun,hIino to himself
! When the new husband reached the house his
courage almost failed him, but he rushed in ex-
claiming, "Widder, I've got to tell you, you're
modification of the flesh an vexation to the
sperrit long may you continuer fur the good OF
my soul" So. ,...... s....
Then, his duty being done and his conscience
quieted, he kissed her and took one of the chill
d1en on his knee.