Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1845-07-09
From the y. Y. Commercial Advertiser
A True Heroine.

by the standard Of our duller temperament, their
very vehement professions OF attachment do
often appear uncailed for and exaggerated. Yet
where in truth do ever meet with moro touch
ing Instances of real, unseiish devotion, than are
sometimes exhibited by the poor uncducatcd sons
of libcrnia!
A case in point occurred, not many weeks ago,
in this city. A young. physician, greatly be-
loved by his friends and associates. taken
suddenly i'll; after remaining day or two at his
own office, deprived. unavoidably, of all those
soothing attentions which none but woman Of
fer in tho hour Of sickness. the Young rapid
" grow worse and the kind lady at whose table
he took his meals generously insisted upon his IN
/ slant removal to her house, that no might be
within roach of that careful tendance which the
/ ala rnIing pecuiiarites of his case demanded.
The discnso was scarlet fever of the most malig-
ma mt and dange type.
On tho day Of his arrival, among other lnIal-
rcrs, there came tidy. respectfully dressed girl
an Irish giri-wth many, very many and most
anxious questions TO the patients condItIon;-
and when they had all boon answered-whon ov
cry thing had been id her of good or bad, con-
nected with his isorder-she fingered stiit, still
hostatod, though there yet something in
her heart that could not find It's proper utcrancc.
..Arc you acquainted with Dr.. -, my cool
girl!" asked the lady. "Do know him. IS lt!''
Oh yos-she know him well-qute well-knew
him long b efore he camo from the old country.
fic had once attended her through long AMI
dangerous illness: and--now burst forth the pant
up sccrct-hc had surely saved her life by his
SIX i'll and care. and sho had TO ask the kind
ladv-could shc--might she, only be permitted
in tho house until his recovery, and III her
turn watch ovor, and wait upon hln.
SEo had been living out, It appeared III the
neigh borhool, rs nursery maid; but her employ
crs. in their dread of scarlet fever. objected to
her daily visits of inquiry at tho Doctors office,
50 tho affrctionate creature had unhesitatngly
nd Inst
cd at tho thought of being useful TO her bcncfac-
tor. and showing her gratitude for his former
Kindness by rendering her services to him rs Il
nurse.
A look Of scrutiny, turned upon her as she told
her simple story. met by thoroughly
pure and honest III its expression. that aitor
moments pause willing consent was gwen to
tho arrangement. and with noisclcss tread. but
with an expression Of relief, as if tho ght
of tho world had been lifted from her bosom. tho
wa arm hearted girl bounded up stairs. and took
hor station at tho bedside of the patient.
It was 4 melancholy together. Tho
mother and ;hroo sisters of tho Young man. though
written 10, wore as yet far away. and his weary
hours s.i!l farther embittered by tho knowl-
edge that if he died they would be left utterly dcs
titute--tho property upon which they all lived be-
ing cntailod upon him, the only son, and rovertlng
ut his death to tho next male heir of tho family.
But to return to tho immediate snbioct of
this sketch From the hour OF her first assuming
the duties Of nurse. she never left hlnt, day or
iuht for single moment, unless TO 6rln9 tor ms
comfort and relief such things the other gtris
of the house. in their fear Of infection. were too
much fortified to carry up to HE room. L no
symptoms became too marked to leave any
moro than faint hope Of ultimate recovery, but
tho noous girl mover suffered her feelings 10
overcome her; her manner IS described as calm
and sclfposscssod to a singular degree, tho fca-
lures generally motonicss, and the voice without
trace of agitation IN lis tone.
Oncc indeed. and once only, toward tho last,
she was seen outside his room door, her hands
pressed convusivoy against her eyes and her bo-
som hcayinc with emotion. But the tears wore
rcsolutcly forced 5ack-the feelings bravely
gulphed down and in ono moment moro tho de-
voted girl had turned the handle with 4 quiet
touch. and resumed her duties by the bed of death
Tho poor sufferer was attended by host Of
medical friends, bat tho fiat had gone forth; a
..stlll small voice. had whispered to him that he
must die. And he did die, calling UPON his moth
CIR and wondering how she would DO able to bear
tho things Of his loss.
Amid all the ordinations of sorrow and con-
scrnaton around. not ono word was spoken by
the poor girl who had been his untlring watcher
long. A stranger might have almost imagined
her an unntcrestcd spectator OF the scene-'a
hireIing who cared for her charge-but those who
knew her better could observe that sho mover
moved from his side-nevcr los. sight OF HIM tor
a single instant. 1t was she who closed the star
ing lids-bound up tho head and prepared him
for tho coffin. And all In utter silencc-not
word of sorrow came from her. The palo check
and trembling hand wero tho only interpreters of
the feelings with which she did it all.
\, length tho last sad offices were 70 be per-
formed. They persuaded her to leave the room
for short time. and when she returned the body
was removed from the bed, and the cofin-oh.
bitter disappolntme nt!-.hc coffin was screwed
down.
Then indeed wall Of despair escaped her lips.
She could sec no reason for such has.e-thcre
was time plenty of time before them-and what
had sho done that she should not DO allowed
look-one las; look-beforo they took him away
and shut him up for ever!