l's mother. When with them, Joel _did_
forget his business life. His love for his wife and child was like a
gushing fountain of pure water. It preserved his heart from becoming
arid, and his nature from ossification.

Twelve years passed, and found Burnsville more nourishing than ever, and
Joel Burns yet without any interruption to his fortunes or his
happiness.

Late in summer, typhus fever--a dreadful visitor in this part of
New-England--made its appearance, and became more prevalent than usual,
and assumed a severer type. Mrs. Burns was among the first attacked, and
with great severity.

Joel felt the foundations of his soul giving way when the possibility
presented itself that his wife _might_ die. He called to mind with a
shudder the scene at the village tavern in Sudbury, when, a child, he
stood by his mother's bedside and heard, awe-struck, her incoherent
ravings while the delirium of fever was on her. 'O my God! she will die,
she will die!' he exclaimed, as he rushed out of the room, unable to
control his feelings.

The country was scoured for doctors. An eminent medical man from
New-Haven was sent for. He was unable to come; but the house was filled
with consulting physicians. Alas I they knew little in those days how to
treat this terrible malady, or rather how to skillfully let it alone.
Day after day, Joel paced up and down, now in this room, now in that,
all over the house. At night he watched by his wife. He insisted on
doing so; no argument or entreaty could prevail on him to leave her a
moment. She was delirious nearly all the time. Then her voice would be
strong, her eyes glassy bright, her cheeks flushed and burning. She
recognized neither husband nor child.

* * * * *

It was in the middle of the night. The 'watcher' who sat up in company
with Joel, slumbered in his chair. He did not slumber, but sat with eyes
fixed on his wife, who for some time seemed to be resting easier than
before. Presently her lips moved. Her husband bent over her.

'Joel.'

'I am here, my darling.'

'Joel.'

'Yes, dearest.'

'We have not lived right'

'No, dear.'

'You do not think we have lived right, do you?'

'No, oh! no.'

'I am going to die, Joel.'

'Do not speak in that way!' and the poor fellow groaned, in spite of
every effort to control himself.

'I must, Joel, I must. We have not lived right _You_ will live right
when I am gone. You will teach Sarah to live righ