Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1850-02-21
Raising the Wind--and the Dust.

We're out of funds" sighed Digges.
There was no denying this.
But at this moment, very respectfully clad per-
son, who was going down Broadway at New York
speed, tipped his hat, and said Good morning,
MIR. Digges.' When he said this, he was gone.
but his words made great impression on the mind
of Bob.
"Who's that I" he asked
"Don't know his name he belongs to my
Lodge. A very clever fellow"
Your Lodge9' he echoed-"you are an Odd
Fellow then1'
Yes"
"And Son of Temperance ?"
"Yes!"
"And Rechabite I"
"Yes!"
"And United American Mechanic I"
"Yesw ~
Bob's face grew radent
Are your dues paid up1"
Yes; why DO you ask I" exclaimed Digges,
astonished at the sudden delight of his friend
How much do these societies give to sick
brother 7"
Some three and some four dollars week"
What proof do they require of sickness %
The certificate of respectable physician" an.
swered digges.
with superabundance of delight.
"And with these facts before you, my misgud-
ed Digges, you have perished in the enjoyment of
good health -
Never was sick week in my life, only'-he
paused; {" only in the pocket"
Without another word, Bob took the arm OF
Digges within his own, and led him into a neigh.
boring oyster cellar. Seated within the box. he
closed the curtains, and said, in tone of great
feeling;
"Digges. you ought to take care OF YOURSELF
You now exhibit all the premonitory symptoms of
a bilious attack
"Eh." cried Digges, jumping from his seat in
surprise.
d" Your skin is salow, your tongue furred, and
your eyes feverish. In an hour, my friend. you
will be in bed with raging fever BY night you
will be delirious Tomorrow you will not be
expected to live, and next week"
Next week, what! !" echoed Digges.
"Next week." resumed Bob, you wil-are
you listening !-you will draw at least twelve dol
lars from these societies. will sign your certf
cate And as YOU will be sick a great many
weeks, you will continue to draw twelve dollars
per week for a considerable time. Digges pity
you
At these words the countenance of Digges be-
came overspread with mild resignation. He ex-
tended his hand. He clutched Bob with hearty
grasp.
"lt's great deal of sickness to loos forward to,
but am resigned. You see I am. BY the hv,
Bob, don't feel we'll Spose you GO home with
me. and put me to bed -
| 1t was quite touching to see how Bob went
home with him and put him to bed.
| For twelve weeks Rob watched night and day
by the bedside Every one marked his devotion.
The Committees of the various societies who came
with the weekly benefits for the sick brother were
delighted with Bob. They spoke of the devotion
of the Young physician their sick brother, in all
their lodges and divisions.
"Sit down my friends" Bob would remark in a
subdued voice. when committee appeared 'our
poor friend fails fast. He has been delirous all
night. Speak low-the least noise disturbs his
slumber."
And then the Committee would sit down in that
darkened room, in the fourth story of boarding
house, and gaze through the gloom upon the form
of poor Dgges, who was stretched upon bed, his
cadaverous face appearing above the edge of the
coverlit.
After few moments they would leave, Hrst
placing in the hands of Bob the money due his
sick friend.
After the committee had left, and gone down
stairs. Bob would give orders that his patient
should not be disturbed, and would then lock the
door, and then approach the bed address his pa
tent in these words" Digges, my boy, will you
take YOUR toddy hot or cold =
To which the patient, fnging off the bed clothes,
and jumping out of the bed, would respond
"l'll take it hot Bob"