The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1907-09-06

and practically never regained his
senses. though be fingered for some
weess and was subjected 70 two Op
sratlons. Mrs. Ansun's spine was dam
age1. With the result that she changed
from a bright and vigorous woman in
10 a decrepit invalid doomed to early
death from slow paralysis.
When the great expenses attendant
on these mishaps were paid she found
herself not only absolutely poor. but
rendered incapable OF the slightest eff
fort TO turn her many and varied tai
ents to account I'm order 10 earn live
lihood. She came 10 London. where
her late husbands employers gener-
ously gave her rent free possession OF
the tenement In which she was lying
dead. helped her with funds TO furnish
Il modestly and found a clerkship for
Philip with a promise OF early promo
ton.
But the CUP of sorrow Is seldom left
half nlled. Barely han the wldow SET
tied down to a hopeful struggle on he
half of her beloved son than a quarrel
between partners led to the sale Of the
firms business to q limited liability
company. Economies were effected to
make way for salaried directors. Phil
10 was dismissed. with several other
junior employees. and the stable yard
was marked out as suitable site for
the storage of coal required by the
local factories.
This development took place early
In the new year. and the new company
allowed Mrs. Arson to occupy her tiny
abode until the last day of March. 1t
was now March 8, aud how the widow
and her son had lived during the past
two months tie doctor could only guess
from the gradual depletion of their lit
tie store of furniture.
1t was odd that such an intelligent
and well bred woman should be so
completely shut off from the rest of
the world. and his first question to
Phil sought to determine this mystery.
Surely" he said, there is some one
to whom you can appeal for help. Your
father and mother must have had some
relatives, even distant cousins, and if
they are written to a friendly hand
may be forthcoming"
Philip shook his head. The mere
taste of food had provoked ravenous
appetite He could not eat fast enough.
The doctor stayed him.
Better wait couple of hours, Phil.
and then you can tackle hearty meal.
That's the thing. / like to see such |
prompt obedience. but you certainly |
have wonderful self control for one so |
young. may tell you, to relieve pres |
ent anxieties, that few employees of |
your fathers firm have guaranteed the
expenses of your mothers funeral, and |
they also gave me a sovereign to tile
you over the next few days."
Funeral The word struck with
sledge hammer force Phil had not |
thought of that. He remembered the
dismal pomp of such events in this
squalid locality, the loud sobbing Of
women, the hard faced agony of men.
the frightened curiosity of children.
His mother, so dear, so tender, 50 soft
bright, beautiful laughing
woman of their life in Deppe-to be
taken away from him forever and per
mtted to fade slowl}' into nothingaass
in some dreadful place. hidden from
the sunshine and the flowers she loved!
For the first time he understood death
When his father was killed. his mother |
was left. Anxious tending on her dis
PEELED the horror of the greater trag
edy. Now all was lost The tears that
he hated were yelling forth again, and
he savagely bit his lip.
You have been-very good-to US,
DOCTOR" he forced himself to say. IF
ever--I can repay you
There, there. not a world Bless my
soul, yours is difficult case"
Again the doctor tackled his glove.
He glanced at his watch.
-Four o'clock. l am an hour late on
my rounds. No, Phil. Don't go up
stairs. There are some women coming
Wait until they have tended your
mother. And-one last word. 1t will .
10 you no good to keep vigil by hel
tide. Best think of her as living, not =
lead. You will be grateful for my adj
Tice in after life."
ue WOuleu dIilNSOs COdLbc OuI hlHu / n
Y hearted creatures. One of them s
ave the boy packet of letters. lii
II found 'em under the dear lydy'S | G
illow," she said. Neither poverty nor D
eath robbed Mrs. Arson of the re- n
pect paid to her by all who came IN n
ontact with her. 81
He sat down, united a string which r;
ound the letters together and looked e.
I the address on the first envelope. 1t IL
ore his mothers name and recent n
Wondering dolefully what u
she could have ha fl
uring these later months that de- te
landed such careful preservation, he
)ok out the letter. Suddenly he hest ST
ited Perhaps these documents al p;
lded to something which his mother L
ldlnot wish him to know. For an In m
tant his impulse was to consign the OF
acket to the fire. No; that might ba h'
rong. He would glance at their en- bt