Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-03-20

ever. noticed very slight deviation from the
right line of contact between two parts of
grape leaf My wonder was how Mrs. B had
managed to discover the fact. / am sure it would
not have been revealed to one pair of eyes in
hundred.
There's no trusting anybody to do things
right" continued Mrs. B., in a nervous, COM
planning way. CAS- if l hadn't enough to worry
me already, this must be added! 1t has set my
head to aching as if it would burst"
"How is little Freddy2" / asked, wishing to
turn her thoughts to something more pleasant.
"I'm dreadfully worried about him." she re-
plied-the troubled aspect of her face taking on a
new and more painful character.
els he sickI''
"No, he's not Just sick; but i expect he will
be- Only to think of it, 1 sent the nurse out
with him, Yesterday, to get fresh air. She was
gone long time; so long that / got very uneasy.
/ questioned her closely when she came back, and
would you believe it? the creature owned to hav-
ing been to see some of her Irish friends some
where in the lower part of the town. OF course
it was some low, dirty hovel, and among filthy,
diseased children. Who knows but my little
Freddy has been exposed to the infection of
small pox or scarlet fever? Why, hardly slept
an hour at a time all night thinking about it. He
looked heavy and dropping this morning, and
sent for the doctor"
"What did he say?" asked.
"Ohl'' she replied, doctors never give you any
satisfaction. He made light of the matter, of
course. But understood the meaning of that.
He didn't wish to alarm me. / shant have mo
ment's peace of mind for a week to come"
/ suggested that it only conjectured as TO
the child's having been exposed to disease; and
that she might be fretting herself to no purpose.
This, instead of allaying, seemed to increase her
disturbance Of mind So / tried new subject,
seizing upon the first one that presented ITSELF,
knew that she had obtained, few weeks before,
a first rate cook.
Lucy still gives satisfaction"
YES" she replied; "but | don't expect her to
stay"
dwhy mott"
"Oh, girls that are worth having never stay.
She's the best cook / ever had; but / expect
every day to receive notice that she is going to
leave US"
81 smiled in spite Of the solemn face that
looked into mine.
81 am afraid you take trouble on interest, Mrs.
B Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Enjoy your good cook while you have her. 1t
will be time enough to be uncomfortable when
she leaves and that may not be in the next i've
years"
"Its easy enough to talk" replied Mrs. B
little impatiently, "but if you'd passed through
what have"
she stopped suddenly, Dent ner neao to"aru tie
door. and listened.
That's Freddy, now"
heard the child's waking cry
Come with me to the nursery" said Mrs.
B, moving toward the door. / followed.
The child had just wakened from a long nap, and
was fretting, as we often children when
aroused from sleep.
"Just look how red his face isl' exclaimed Mrs.
B; care you sick, darlingf" and she gathered
-. "a fool han IL II -
burning with fever"
took the soft little hand in mine and held it
for few moments to mark the degree of heat.
To me there was nothing beyond the warmth of
vigorous health.
ssThere's no fever here, Mrs. B. said l,
confidently.
Eyes, there is,' she replied. "Hes got high
fever. Is your throat sore, dsrlingY
Freddy put his hand to his neck, and swallowed
once twice.
"Does it hurt, lover"
The child nodded his head in assent.
The face of Mrs. B-grew suddenly pale as
ashes
"There, knew iti / knew i'll He's getting
the scarlet fever. Oh, deari" and shelad her face
down among the 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 a sad, fearful face.
| Ipulled the bell-rope, and the nurse came in
almost Immediately.
.You must go for the doctor, !" said Mrs. B.
Freddy is sick.s He's getting the scarlet fever"
| The girl looked frightened, and went hurriedly
from the room.
Don't be alarmed, my dear Mrs. B. said
l, trying to reassure her; al am sure Freddy is
not sick Why his hand is no hotter than mine.
As took his hand again my own came in con-
tact with hers. 1t was as cold as marble. No
wonder the babes soft, warm flesh burning
to her touch.
Feel my hand," said; "mine and Freddy's
together, and see which is hottest"
"You have fever" she replied.
"No," said /; "your hand is icy cold. 1t has
deceived you. Freddy has no fever"
By the time the doctor arrived Freddy was
playing about the floor as lively as a cricket and
/ had succeeded in convincing Mrs. B that
he was in no immediate danger. But the mother
was in most need of medical attention. Her
nervous fears had so exhausted her that she was
unable to hold her head up. She was lying on
the sofa when the doctor came, her face of a
deathly hue. He scolded her soundly, saying
that she would kill herself if she went on this
way; made prescription for her, scarcely no
ticing the child, and went off. As my presence
tired also. pondering the case in my philosophical
| way.
IVORY is worse than work" said l, without
any doubt. If Mrs. B. keeps on after this
fashion she's shuttle off her mortal coil in less
time than poor Mrs. NJ"
On the next morning saw Mrs NJ, bright
and early, on her way to neighbor's house where
the day to be spent ut the ironing table; her
children remaining at home in the care Of theil
! oldest sister-herself but a child
"How's Mrs. BIT l asked of the nurse
whom saw standing at the door, about ten O'Clock
with Freddy in her arms. The child looked the
very picture of health.
'Sick in bed, ma am" she replied.
Indeed what ails her?" asked
"Ohi she worried herself sick yesterday ma am
about Freddy. And it wasn't bit of use
Nothing at all was the matter with him. dear littl,
. fellow"
passed on, saying to myself: "Yes, Mrs
M was right; worry kills quicker than work
If Mrs. B. keeps on as fast as she is now 60
ing she will get to the end of her journey long be
fore her rd-toilng neighbor."
shall look in upon both of them again befor,
long; and, if / see any aspects worth record
ing, the reader may hear something more of m,
two neghbors, who are slowly exhausting thei
: mortal life-one by work, and the other by worry
Juggling extraordinary.
4 g. I'll T.. L.