American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-06-14
From the New York Commercial Advertiser

are often accused of inSinCerlty; and it must be
confessed that, judged by the standard of ouI
dulIer temperament, their very vehement pro-
LESSONS OF attachment do often appear uncaled
tor and exaggerated Yet where in truth do we
ever meet with more touching instances Of
real, unselfish devotion, than are sometimes ex-
hibited by the poor uneducated sons of 1ibcr-
MIA?
case in point occurred, not many weeks
ago, in this city. A young physician, greatly
beloved by his friends and associates, was taken
suddenly Ill; after remaining a day or two at
ms own office, deprived, unayoidably, of all
those soothing attentions which none but wo-
men can offer in the hour ofsckness, the young
man rapidly grew worse, and the kind lady at
whose table he took his meals generously in
sisted upon his instant removal to her own
house, that he might be within reach of that
careful tendance which the alarming peculiar
tiles of his case demanded. The disease was
scarlet fever of the most malignant and danger
Gus type.
On the day Of his arrival, among other in
qurers, there came tidy, respectfully dressed
grl-an Irish girl--with many, very many and
most anxious questions as to the PATIENTS con-
dtion;-and when they had all been answered
when every thing had been told her of good
or bad, connected with his dsorder-she lin
gered still, still hesitated, as though there was
yet something in her heart that could not find
its proper utterance.
care you acquainted with Dr. -, nay
good gir?" asked the lady. "Do know him,
is it," Oh yes-she knew him well--qute
wel-knew him long before he came from the
Cd country He had once attended her through
Nong and dangerous illness; and-now burst
forth the pent-up secret-he had surely saved
her life by his skill and care, and she had come
10 ask the kind lady-could she-might she,
only be permitted to stay in the house until his
recovery, and in her turn watch over, and wait
upon him?
She had been living out, it appeared in the
neighborhood, as nursery maid; but her en-
ployers in their dread of scarlet fever, objected
to her daily visits of inquiry at the Doctor S
office, so the affectonate creature had unhes-
tatingly given up a good place and hastened
away, delighted at the thought of being useful
to her benefactor, aud showing her gratitude
for his former kindness by rendering her SER
vices to him as a nurse.
A look of scrutiny, turned upon her as she
told her simple story, was met by one SO tho
roughly pure and honest in its expression, that
after moments pause, willing consent was
given to the arrangement, and with noiseless
tread, but with an expression of relief, as if the
weight of the world had been lifted fiom her
bosom, the warm-hearted girl bounded up
stairs, and took her station at the bedside of
the patient.
1t was melancholy case altogether. The
mother and three sisters of the young man,
though written to- were as yet far away and
his weary hours were still farther embittered
by the knowledge that if he died they would
be left utterly desttute-the property upon
which they all lived being entailed upon him,
the OILY son, and reverting at his death TO the
next male heir of the family.
But TO return to the more immediate subject
of this sketch. From the hour of her first as
suming the duties of nurse, she never left him,
day or night, for single moment unless to
bring for his comfort and relief such things as
the other girls of the house, in their fear of in
lection, were too much terrified to carry up to
. his room. The symptoms soon became too
marked to leave any more than faint hope of
ultimate recovery, but the courageous girl new
err suffered her feelings to overcome her; her
manner is described as caln and self-possessed
to singular degree, the features generally mo-
tloness, and the voice without trace of agi-
taton in its tone
Once indeed, and once only, toward the last,
she was seen outside his room door, her hands
pressed convu>ively against her eyes and her
bosom heavlng with emotion. But the tears
were resolutely forced back-the feelings brave
ly gulped down, and III one moment more the
devoted girl had turned the handle with quiet
touch, and resumed her duties by the bed of
DEATH
The poor sufferer was attended by host of
medical friends, but the fiat had gone forth; a
'still small voice" had whispered to him that
he must die. And he did die, calling upo his
mother and wondering how she would be able
90 bear the tidings of his loss.
Amid all the ordinations of sorrow and con-
sternation around, not one word was spoken by
the poor girl who had been his untlring watch
er SO long. A stranger might have almost i'm
agined her an nnnterested spectator of the
scene-"a hreling who cared for" her charge
but those who knew her better could observe
that she never moved from his side-never lost
sight of him for single instant. 1t was she
who closed the starting lids-bound up the
head, and prepared him for the coffin. And
all IN utter silence-not a word of sorrow came
from her. The pale cheek and trembling hand
were the only interpreters of the feelings with
which she did It all.
At length the last sad offices we're to 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 dIsappontment!-th coiin
was screiCed doom.
Then indeed wall of despair escaped her
lips She could see no reason for snch haste |
there was time, plenty of time before them |
and what had she done that she should not be |