Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-08-06


vessel This then, was the end. | felt squeam-
sh and unsettled, but fresh things called my at
tention, and in short time, had forgotten the
matter.
determined upon settling in London, and
took my place in the Plymouth mail. I select
ed such lodgings as l thought best suited my
scanty finances, and, after paying my quarters
rent, found had only few shillings remain
ing.
| was returning from walk in a very discon-
ISOLATE mood, when, Just as | was opening my
door, was accosted by poor old Irish woman
And is it yourself, dear, that's the good doc
tor said she and is it yourself thatl do the
good actonP
And what is it can do for you, my good
woman p replied.
And bless you for saying kind word to
poor cratur in distress; isn't it myself that's got
three chIders ill of the fever, and no money to
pay the doctor with p her sobs choked her ut
lcrance
Immediately told her to lead the way and
would follow. We passed through numerous al
leys until we came to street more wretched
than anything could have pictured.
asked where we we're
She replied, Well dear, and isn't it ST. Giles
they call the grand street?
now understood we were in those streets in
habited by the lowest and poorest class of Irish,
which had often heard described but never be-
fore visited. found the poor womans children
suffering from a very malignant fever which was
then raging in the back streets and alleys Of the
Metropolis.
One evening had been prevented from visit
ing these poor people until much later than uSu-
al, and, taking wrong turn, found myself
quite bewildered. 1t was quite dark: the at
mosphcre felt so thick mechanically unbotton-
ed my coat to allow freer aspiration; dense
fog surrounded every object, and now and then
fell in heavy drop. stood still to sec if
could meet with any one from whom could ask
my way, but there was no one visible. Rath-
er higher up perceived a faint light stream
ing through wndow; | walked on, and look
ing through perceived girl, she was in the
attitude of prayer, her face buried in her hands
gently pushed open the door, but she did not
move.
20 God spare her, spare her ? escaped from
her lips in broken accents.
looked round, farthing dip, cup with
some milk, and a small piece of brown bread on
a wooden stool were all the apartment contained.
| moved 10 attract her attention, she raised her
head, and, looking at me, exclaimed,
'Oh do not rob me have nothing, moth
ing to give you. My eyes were turned towards
the table, Oh take the bread but do not
take the milk, it is for my sick sister If you
have heart Of pity leave me that
My good girl, ! replied am not going tc
rob you am a surgeon, and have been atten.
ding poor family in one Of these streets; in
the dark have lost my way, and to inquire
brought me hther.'
While was speaking sudden idea appear
ed to flash across her mind; she looked at me
attentvely as if she would read my heart
Are you indeed surgeon! said she
| am SO, | replied.
Will you, will you see her 2? cannot pay
you, have no money
Is it your sister, asked, you wish me tc
see ?
Yes she replied, fear she is very, very
linz
Immediately assured her would do all
could iot her sister, She did not thank me, bu
looking up said God has sent YOU and bic
me follow her up stairs at the top she made a
sign for me to wait | could see all round the
looms very small fire was in the CRATE, an ell
egant rosewood easy chair lined with amber vel
vet, was the only furniture, a small pallet bee
with sheet suspended by pieces OF string at
tachcd to nails in the ceiling served for cur
tain on the side near the door, and prevented my
seeing the occupant of the bed. She stole gen
ty round, when languid voice said,
Mary p
] am here, love, she replied
Oh, Mary come and talk to me; | have
had such shocking dream, thought | was
dead and you were all alone Sobs chokcd her
utterance.
Ooh do not, do not cry so, you will make
yourself 50 i'll and you know, Emily her voice
trembling with emotion, if you were to die
should not be all alone
On, do not cry Tor myself, but you, you
Mary
Come, love, try to quiet. have brought a
doctor to see you, and who knows X
and them as if fearful of raising hopes which
were never to be realised, the sentence died a
way upon her lips.
approached my patient, and instantly recog
Missed in the emaclated form which lay before
me, once lovely Emily Beverly Once lovely
should not say; she was, if possible more beau
tiIul than ever; those eyes, always so dark, now
looked doubly brilliant, and the hectic spot il
each cheek, told fearful tale felt her pulse
it was hundred and ten Not having my steth
, oscope, placed my ear to her chest, and a
once perceived human aid was of no avail.
While was questioning my patient coult
not help noticing the countenance of Mary,
have seen persons in almost every stage of dis
rcss, both mental and bodily; but neither be
fore nor since have ever seen such intense ag