The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1907-01-22


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 needed. May you
find yourself equally blessed in your
wife
Another letter TO Philemon g year
later:
DEAR PHrLEMoS-HaSten home. Phile-
mon; / do not like these absences. I
am just now too weak and fearful.
Since we knew the great hope before
us | have looked often in your face
:vs- sign that you remembered what
this hope cannot but recall TO my
shuddering memory. Philemon. Phile-
mon. was | mad? When l think what
I said in my rage and then feel the lit
tie life stirring about my heart. I 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. il anything
should happen the child. / think of it
by day. think of it by night l know
you think of it. too. though you show
me such a cheerful countenance and
make such great plans for the future.
VIII God remember my words or will
he forget? 1t seems as IL 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? II did. God
has rebuked me.
Philemon thinks only of me. We IN
derstand each other perfectly, now
that our greatest suffering comes In
each others pain. My load I 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
it 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
sign that certain words uttered by her
on her marriage day, unhappily known
to you and. as 1 take 1t, to James also.
have been remembered by the right
eous God above us. This is weak
ness which l cannot combat. Can you,
who alone OF all the world beside know
both it and it's cause. help me by q re-
newed friendship, whose cheerful and
natural character may gradually make
her forget? II so, come like old neigh
bors and dine with us on our wedding
day. If God sees that we have buried
the past and are ready to forgive each
other the faults of our youth, perhaps
He will further spare this good woman.
l think she will be able to bear 1t. She
has great strength except where a lit
tie child is concerned, That alone can
stir the deepest recesses OF
her heart.
After this gap OF years. One. two,
three. four. five children were laid
away to rest in Dorchester church
yard. then Philemoa and she came to
but not till after the
certain event had occurred, best made
known by this last letter to Philemon:
DEAREST HUsBAND-Our babe is born.
our sixth and our dearest, and the re-
proach Of it's first look had to be met
BY me alone. Oh. why did ! leave you
and come to this great Boston, where
have no friends but Mrs. Sutherland?
Did think l could break the spell OF
fate or Providence by giving birth to
ny last darling among strangers?
| shall have to do something more
han that if | would save this child to
our old age. 1t is borne In upon me
ike fate that never will a child prosper
IF my breast or survive the clasp OF
ny arms II it is to live. II must be
cared by others. Some woman who
las not brought down the curse OF
heaven upon her by her own blasphe-
MES must nourish the tender frame
md receive the blessing Of it's grow
ng love. Neither l nor you can hope
o see recognition In our babes eye.
Before it can turn upon us with love 1t
will close In its last sleep, and we will
De left desolate. What shall we do.
hen. with this little son? To whose
can we intrust 1t? Do
-ou know a man good enough or a wo-
nan sufficiently tender? l do not. but
God wills that our little Frederick
hould live he will raise up some one
" the pang Of possible separation al |
eady tearing my heart. i believe that |
le will raise up some one.
Meanwhile l did not dare to kiss the |
hid lest should blight it. He Is SO |
turdy. Philemon, SO different from ali |
he other five.
I open this to add that Mrs. Suther- |
and has just been in with her 5 weeks
Id infant. His father is away, too. |
nd has not yet seen his boy, and this |
) their first after ten years Of mar
iage. oh. that l had such confidence /
S she in future Of endless delight in
his babe!
The next letter opens with cry:
Philemon! Come to me, Philemon! /
have done what l threatened. ! have
made the sacrifice. Our child is no
onger ours. and now perhaps he may
i've. But, oh. my breaking heart, my
Empty home. Help me to bear my des-
,lation. for it is for life. We will new
n have another child. And where is
{? All, that is the wonder of it. Near
rou, Philemon, yet not too near. Mrs.
has it. and you may have
,een its little face through the car win
low If you were in the station last
light when the express passed through
o Sutherlandtown. All, but she has
Ter burden to bear. too-an awful Sc
ret burden, like my own, only she will