`` I don ` no as I hanker to live , and be a burden . If Jim was able to do for mother , I feel as if I would n't mind steppin ' out now I 'm so fur along . As he ai n't , I s ` pose I must brace up , and do the best I can , '' said Joe , as I wiped the drops from his forehead , and tried to look as if his prospect was a bright one . `` You will have Lucindy to help you , you know ; and that will make things easier for all . '' `` Think so ? ` Pears to me I could n't ask her to take care of three invalids for my sake . She ai n't no folks of her own , nor much means , and ought to marry a man who can make things easy for her . Guess I 'll have to wait a spell longer before I say anything to Lucindy about marryin ' now ; '' and a look of resolute resignation settled on Joe 's haggard face as he gave up his dearest hope . `` I think Lucindy will have something to say , if she is like most women , and you will find the burdens much lighter , for sharing them between you . Do n't worry about that , but get well , and go home as soon as you can . '' `` All right , ma'am ; '' and Joe proved himself a good soldier by obeying orders , and falling asleep like a tired child , as the first step toward recovery . For two months I saw Joe daily , and learned to like him very much , he was so honest , genuine , and kind-hearted . So did his mates , for he made friends with them all by sharing such small luxuries as came to him , for he was a favorite ; and , better still , he made sunshine in that sad place by the brave patience with which he bore his own troubles , the cheerful consolation he always gave to others . A droll fellow was Joe at times , for under his sobriety lay much humor ; and I soon discovered that a visit from him was more efficacious than other cordials in cases of despondency and discontent . Roars of laughter sometimes greeted me as I went into his ward , and Joe 's jokes were passed round as eagerly as the water-pitcher . Yet he had much to try him , not only in the ills that vexed his flesh , but the cares that tried his spirit , and the future that lay before him , full of anxieties and responsibilities which seemed so heavy now when the strong right arm , that had cleared all obstacles away before , was gone . The letters I wrote for him , and those he received , told the little story very plainly ; for he read them to me , and found much comfort in talking over his affairs , as most men do when illness makes them dependent on a woman . Jim was evidently sick and selfish . Lucindy , to judge from the photograph cherished so tenderly under Joe 's pillow , was a pretty , weak sort of a girl , with little character or courage to help poor Joe with his burdens . The old mother was very like her son , and stood by him `` like a hero , '' as he said , but was evidently failing , and begged him to come home as soon as he was able , that she might see him comfortably settled before she must leave him .
Her courage sustained his , and the longing to see her hastened his departure as soon as it was safe to let him go ; for XXXXX 's letters were always of a dismal sort , and made him anxious to put his shoulder to the wheel .
Jim Joe Lucindy cordials daily first marryin right steppin water-pitcher