The freeman. (Fremont [Ohio]) 1849-1850, 1849-12-29

back OF No. =, 18th street, Tor the DlSpenSary.
hastened of, and after considerable search, in
severe storm, found up alley, small, di-
apidated, frame-house, whose door as it scraped
the floor in opening, admitted me into small, dark
room, which poverty seemed to have marked for
her own special residence. The broken panes of
glass had been but ill-supplied by old newspapers
pasted the sash, and old clothes, old hat
to keep out the cold damp air. These also kept
out the light; and it with difficulty that could
recognize lone couch in the furthermost corner of
the room on which lay sick man. The woman
who greeted me, on my entrance was TALL with a
long face dark eyes and hair; her voice was firm, |
and her manner cool and selfpossesscd, though ev-
ident in the deepest poverty and sorrow. She in
troduced me, as soon as my eyes adapted them
selves to the diminished light of the room, the
Doctor to the invalid, whom she termed Pdppy'
She told me he had long suffered from severe
cough, and spit up great deal of matter, very
weak, had just had one of his turns of splitting
blood, &c l spoke to the poor man, and he ex-
tended his hand, which was thin long and bony the
nails curving the ends of the fingers, they
do sometimes in that terrible disease, the con-
sumption.
His eye frightened up when he addressed me,
and spoke of a slight cough with which he was
troubled. If l could but relieve that and the bleed
ing from the lungs he would soon be we'll He had
been long subject to cough-did not first mind
it much-but now, it was rather worse than usual
A fine, broad forehead, surmounted by few strag
Cling hairs bright eye, face where were the
traces of protracted disease and pain, both mental
and bodily, and wasted form of about fifty win
ters, and we may see the patient
l soon discovered that the hopes of my poor pa
tient for life-or even the return Of health-were
doomed to disappointment The sound of the breath
as entered the decaying lungs showed too clearly
that the hand of death was near Ere had fin
ished my examination of the case, my manner per-
haps indicating the Thoughts which passed through
my mind, heard low sob, which appeared to
come from the furthermost corner of the room. l
turned suddenly, not until now, conscious, of anoth
er person being near, and peering into the dark
ness saw poor boy, apparently about l 8 years
old, whose head was bent upon his breast and his
body drawn up, in the attitude of extreme sorrow.
The mother, whose calm voice had assured me of a
noble, sefpossessed woman, though poor and un-
known--I now observed turned away her head and
brushed away tear which fell unbidden down her
care-worn cheek She evidently saw that the hus-
band of her youth must die, and that the long
struggle with disease and poverty, would, to him.
soon be over. She quietly heard my directions for
the administering of pallating remedies, and prom
sed to attend to them
! The boy raised his head as left the room, and
cast glance of gratitude to the Dspensary Doctor,
who had come through the rain and storm to see
4 his poor father
In few days 1 called again, when found my
patient improved and cheerful, but weak and debil-
itated. The son sat by the dismal window, and was
pouring over some old books, which he had, the
mother informed me- borrowed from friend. The
quiet almost stole contour of the boys face, which
resembled that of the mother than that of the
father, struck me as peculiarly short-sighted he
had to keep his book within few inches of his
eyes to read it. l could see, however, that he
kept them upon me, as | proceeded to address
some words ofcomfort to the mother, whom found
more moved, externally, than at previous visits
} Ny visits continued there until the old man died.
The good mother, was anxious to know whether the
disease likely to be transmitted to her darling
and only son, requested an examination OF the body
her wish complied with.
ears passed on-perhaps SiX-and received a
message to visit the same lone, and retired dwell
ing This time found the mother i'll, and several
weeks passed away ere l could reduce the disease
| did not this time see the boy; but the mother,
with quiet smile of Joy, told that her son was
studying law. l said nothng-well l knew the
difficulties attending the acquisitions of of the
, learned professions without MEANS and they were
poor indeed. 1t seems that the son. instead of fol
ing the trade of his father, which was that of hat
ter, turned his attention to aw-and his studious
habits well fitted him for the undertaking.
! After this l not unfrequently called to pre-
scribe for the widow and her quiet but intelligent
son. They still remained in the poor Frame but his
Office was in a conspicuous part of the city.
Reader, the last time l was called to prescribe
for this lone widow and her persevering son, found
them occupying new three-story brick house
lighted up with gas, mahogany furniture-the
house has oWn-and the mothers face smoothed
of half the wrinkles which it bore ten years
Z before.
e That son is now one of the most influential edi
K tors and writer's in Philadelphia! The mothers
e frmness and mental strength have been trensmit
ted to her poor boy; and in land of free instu
tions this boy is gradually, but surely working hi:
RI way to wealth, honor and renown.
Oh, what do we owe to mother? What doe:
America daily owe to the poor widows of our land
o The irstyear of poor young mans life may bt
: rugged and he may think it hard that he has tC
O support mother. But let me tell him, that tha
e mother is his fortune; and here, above all othel
= countries under the sun, is young man sure o.
ultimate success if he but follow the teachings of
h vrtuous mother.
s John Sheppard has done this. and predict fol
: him life of honor and responsibility.
t He is yet yoaSng maan-but the past of his life
e ensures good future.
Such reader is the history of one half of the bes
?. minds in the United States. Who shall say tina
such people cannot govern themselves.