The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1848-06-20

duOlhCi pdtlCHl.
Not far from Mr. Gray's humble dwell
ling stood house of more pretensions TO
quality. 1t was occupied by Mr.. Piper,
a rising young lawyer, and his wife.
They had one infant, upon whom they
both dotted with all the foundness of young
parents for their first and only child. But
now the babe was i'll, and the father and
the mother wild with alarm. MIR. Piper
had called in DR.. Jones, young Physl-
clan of eminent talent, one who had al
ready acquired large practice, and who
had effected several remarkable cures.
When he arrived at Mrs. Piper's house,
he found the pale young mother, with the
babe in her arms. walking him about the
floor. She sat down, and laid the babe a.
cross her lap for the Doctors inspection,
watching the expression of his counte-
nance eagerly. He told her that the babe
was suffering under only very slight at
tack of cholera infantum, and that his re-
covery depended more upon her O'on care
full nursing, than upon medicine. He
CHARGED her TO let the child take no food
whatever, exec pit that which nature had
provided; and giving few peremptory
but ludicious directions for its treatment,
wrote prescription, and left the house.
The doting mother was Treasured, and
smiled again. In day or two the babe
was much better, though not quite re-
stored to health. He was recovering Slo'c-
Iy but surely ander the young Doctors
excellent method of treatment, when the
evil genius of the physician sent the news
of the babes illness TO Mrs. Brown, who
straightway considered it her duty TO go
and see the sick baby. Upon that fatal
morning, something in the appearance of
the infant had aroused the very excitable
fears of his mother, and she felt and look
ed very uneasy when Mrs. Brown enter
ed.
Good morning, Mrs. Piper. How do
YOU do! heard that your little one was
very i'll, and thought | would step in and
see it,
Indeed, am very grateful, Mrs. Brown.
Please look at him, and tell me how you
think he is
Mrs. Brown took the infant upon her
lap. and looked solemnly and wistfully at
him; pu, her hand upon his chest, and
upon his head and finally poked her
great finger into his mouth. and felt his
gums then turned up the whites of her
eyes, and circulated
'Ah Lordr
oh Mrs Brown, you don't say so |!
exclaimed the nervous mother, in alright.
is he so bad 2
who is tending him p inquired the
old lady, without replying to the guess
ton.
why, DIR. Jones-Dr. Jones. Oh! is
he very i'll, Mrs. Brown?'
DIR. Jonesl That young man ! Why,
t'other day he was no taller than my knee.
He Doctor'
They say he is very successful Drac-
titioner. But, oh dear Mrs. Brown,
please tell me-is the baby very sick ?
said the mother, as the tears rushed 10 her
eyes.
Pretty sick. What has that young m al
q can't call him Doctor,) ordered for
itp
why, this is it, replied the trembling
mother, showing little folded packet of
small powders.
'Umph-humph Calomel and prepared
chalk, suppose. That will not do 1t any
good. Ifyou keep on giving that to the
child. you'll kill it,
But the Doctor
ooh the Doctor What does he know
| i. Ill r.. p,Dthar
I've had thirteen children and raised
two, and buried eleven; aud l should
think ought to understand nursing chill
dren.'
The infant here became very fretful,
and the mother very uneasy, and Mrs.
Brown very loquacious and didactic.
oh! dear Mrs. Brown, what had ]
better do!
Stop. Have you got any laudanumP
Yes; but
well, get it, girl, and bring me spoon
full of water in cup
This direction was given to maid SER
want who was standing in the room, and
who forthwith brought the required arti-
cIes.
What are you going to do, Mrs.
Brownl' inquired the mother, who was
pacing the floor, with the babe i'll her
arms.
Give the child few drops of laud>
anum.'
oh Mrs. Brown, I'm afraid
Never mind what you're afraid of.
This is the shortest way to stop the chlld's
complaints I'm better Judge than you
are persisted the old lady, holding the
cup in one hand, and dropping the lauda-
mum slowly with the other. The timid
young mother suffered herself to be out
talked and overruled. The laudanum
was dropped and poured down the babes
throat. The child dropped into deep
sleep.
There, now! Didn't | tell you sol
See how nice he's sleeping. Don't tell
me about Doctors; one old woman is
worth twenty Doctors, for curing babies
Yes, indeed assented Mrs. Piper.