Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1849-07-06


would follow. We passed through numerous
alleys until we came TO a street more wfetched
Than anything could have pictured.
! asked where we wereP
She replied, well dear, and isn't il 81. Giles
they called The grand street,
now understood that we were in those streets
inhabited BY the lowest and poorest class Of |.
rish, which had often heard described but ne.
YER before visited. found the poor woman's
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 a wrong turn, | found myself
quite bewiIdered. Il was quite dark; the al
mosphere felt so thick mechanically unbuI-
toned my coat TO allow freer respiration; a
dense fog surrounded every object, and now and
then fell in heavy drop. stood still TO see if
could meet with any one from whom | could
ask my way, but there was no one visible. Ra.
lher higher up perceived faint light stream
ing through window; walked on, and looking
through perceived girl, she was 10 the aIIi-
tude Of prayer, her face buried in her hands,
| gently pushed open the door, but she did not
move.
20 Godl spare her, spare herl" escaped from
her lips in broken accents.
looked round, a farhing dip, cup with
some milk, and small piece ofbrown bread on
a wooden stool were all the apartment contain
ed. | moved TO attract her attention, she rails.
ed her head, and, looking at me, exclaimed,
IL | h.
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, al am not going
to rob you; | am a surgeon, and have been at
tending poor family in one Of these streets; in
the dark have lost my way, and 10 inquire
brought me hither."
While was speaking a sudden idea appear
ed to flash across her mind she looked at me
auentively as ifshe would read my heart.
"Are you indeed surgeonl" said she.
al am so," replied.
"Wil you, will you see herl cannot pay
you, have no money"
"Is it your sister," asked, "you wish me 10
sect"
"Yes," she replied, al fear she is very, vel y
ill.,"
Immediately assured her | would do all
could for her sister. She did not thank me, but
looking up said. "God has sent you," and bade
me follow her up stairs. AT The top she made
sign for me to wait. could see all round
the room very small fire was in the CRATE, an
elegant rosewood easy chair lined with ambel
velvet, was the only furniture, a small pale
bed, with a sheet suspended by pieces of string
attached 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 gent
y round, when angud voice said,
"Mary"
al am here, love-" she replied.
"Oh, Mary! come and talk TO me; have hat
such shocking dream, thought was deac
and you were all alone" Sobs choked her Ut
terance.
"Oh! do not, do not cry so, you will make
yourself so i'll, and you know, Emily" he
voice trembling with emotion, "if you were II
die should not be all alone"
"Oh, do not cry for myself, but you, you
Mary"
"Come, love, try to be quiet. | have brough
doctor to see you, and who "
and then, as if fearful of raising hopes whicl
were never to be realised, the sentence died q
way upon her lips.
approached my patient, and Instantly re
cognized in the emaciated form that lay be(or
me, once lovely Emily Beverly. Once Lowell
| should not say; she was, if possible, NOR
beautiful than ever; those eyes, always so dark
now looked doubly brilliant, and the hectic spo
in each cheek, told fearful tale. | felt he
pulse; il was hundred and ten. Not havin
my stelhoscope, placed my ear to her ches
and at once perceived that human aid was Of n
avail.
While | was questioning my patient coul
not hel p noticing the countenance OF Mary
have seen persons in almost every stage o
distress, both mental and bodily; but neiIhe
before nor since have ever seen such intens
agony depicted on any human countenance.
followed her down stairs; her lips Tembed bl
she could not speak. ], too, was much affected
,, felt could not crush every hope; murmul
. ed "With God all things are possible"
She understood me but too well, and turnin
white as death, she leaned against the wall fc
support. After few minutes she again trie
. TO speak. caught the words, "HOw long2
understood what she meant, and replied:
"Itis impossible to say"
Mary returned up stairs and to my solitar
: home, musing on the scene had just witness
} ed. thought OF their poverty, ard regreue
had not given them some; but no, could nc
, offer them money; no, must do it in some 9th
er way; and spent sleepless night thinkin
. how | might best serve them. MY own re
t sources were very small; my stock of mono
| had wasted to few shillings; my patients wer
all of the poorest class--so poor that instead {
, receiving, could not resist the dictates Of m!
heart and try 10 alleviate their suferngs.
arose uncertain how to act for the best, an
3 bent my steps towards their abode.
Il found my patient even worse than | hO
j thought the night before. | felt almost certai