The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1861-04-18

u.s." sa
/ smiled in spite Of the solemn face
that looked into mine.
81 am afraid you take trouble ON in
terest Mrs. B.. Sufficient unto the
day is the evil thereof. Enjoy your
good cook while you have her. It will
be time enough to be uncomfortable
when she leaves and that may not be in
the next Eve years"
"It's easy enough to talk" replied
Mrs. B, little impatiently, 'sbut,
if you'd passed through what / have
She stopped suddenly, bent her head
toward the door, and listened.
"That's Freddy, now"
i l heard the child's waking cry.
"Come with me to the nursery" said
Mrs. B, moving toward the door.
I followed. The child had just awak-
ened from long nap, and was fretting,
as we often see children when aroused
from sleep. @
Gust look how red his face isl'' ex-
claimed Mrs. B; 'sare you sick,
darling?" and she gathered him up in
her arms. "Just feel his hand-it is
burning with fever" a
i took the soft little hand in mine,
and held it for few momen-s to mark
the degree Of heat. To me there was
nothing beyond the warmth of vigorous
health. h3a
''There's no fever here, Mrs. B." /"
said | confidently.
i eyes there is," she replied. "He's
got a high fever. Is your throat sore,
darling?' t -
Freddy put his hand to his neck, and
swallowed once or twice.
s'Does it hurt, love ?''
The child nodded his head in assent.
The face of Mrs. B grew sudden
, ly pale as ashes.
} "There, / knew it I! knew it. He's
getting the scarlet fever. Oh, dear p
and she laid her face down among her
child's sunny curls, and sobbed wildly.
"Pray don't distress yourself, Mrs.
B; Freddy is not SICK" urged.
But my words had no effect upon her.
She sobbed on for some minutes, until
agitation exhausted itself.
"Will you ring the bell,' she asked
at length, looking at me with sad
fearful face.
l pulled the bell-rope, and the nurse
came in almost Immediately.
"You must go for the DOCTOR" said
Mrs. B, ''Freddy is sick, He's
getting the scarlet fever"
The girl looked frightened, and wen,
hurriedly from the room.
s'Don't be alarmed, my dear Mrs
3" said [, trying to reassure her
"Im sure Freddy's not sick. Why
his hand is no hotter than mine." Az
| took his hand again, my own came
in contact with hers. 1t was as cold
as marble. No wonder the babes soft
warm flesh was burning to her touch.
'Feel my hand" l said .,mine and
Freddy's together, and see which is the
] hottest.
'You have fever" she replied.
t "No," said ], "your hand icy cold
t lthas deceived you. Freddy has nc
e fever"
By the time the doctor arrived
t Freddy was playing around the floor
i as lively as cricket, and / had sue
a ceeded in convincing Mrs. B tha,
t he was in no immediate danger, but
4 the mother was In most need of medi
cal attention. Her nervous fears had
3 so exhausted her that she was unable
] to hold her head up. She was lying
on the sofa when the doctor came, hel
face of a deathly hue. He scolded
, her soundly, saying that she would Kill
!, herself If she went on this way; made
a prescription for her, scarcely noticing
the child, and went off AS my pres
' ence could hardly be agreeable to eth
er party, retired also, pondering the
!, case in my philosophical way.
: "W orry is worse than work." said
''without any doubt. If Mrs. p
), keeps on after this fash;;1,Ss-.sbe ,;,S she'll .hue
: fie off her mortal coil in less time than
poor Mrs. M" !"
"On the next morning I saw Mrs.
M, bright and early, on her way to
nelghbor's house, where the day was
to be spent at the ironing, table her
children remaining at home in the care
OF their eldest sister-herself but a
child. ae - a :
SLOWS Mrs. B--?" / asked of the
nurse, whom | saw standing at the
door about ten O'clock, with Freddy in
her arms. The child looked the yery
picture of health.
| "Slck in bed, ma'am," she replied.
Indeed, what ails her." 1 asked.
"Oh she worried herself, e;oL ,o.