The weekly mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado County, Calif.) 1861-1862, 1862-09-27

was there. The third morning my ply.
Sician pronounced my disease smallpox.
Even in that moment of terror looked
at Eliza Bishop. Her face paled, and
could see her hands shake. She spoke in
trembling voice
Il wish ! could stay with you, Sandie
| wisht could. If it were only sor myself
| would, but my children
Iwould not have you stay answered
| would not have you run the risk for
the world. | trust YOU have not endan.
gered yourself. Good bye, sister Eliza
She went out Of the room, and turned
to Mrs. Smith, who was standing near.
Now you must go, also. The doctor
will find some ole to nurse me, and you,
too, must look out for your children
Il must look out for you, sir. Nv
duty is here, now. Live or die, shall
stay with you while you need me-
The n,IIro woman . vvnee -|aa SSS'rSS, md
her eyes shone with clear, resolute light
| bad not thought she possessed SO much
will and courage.
Consider said. DO you realize all
the risk yOO ruNy OF !OathsOme disease,
Disagreement, perhaps terrible death I!
: have considered all, and shall stay.
Was | selfish to allow it? Perhaps so,
but in that hour Of deadly peril, who
had never loved woman before, longed tu
have her at my side, to share Inv danger,
nav to die, if | died to live for me, or
failing that, for no other
| need not give the details of the sick
ness which fOllOwed-the weeks Of terri
ble suffering when my body and soul
could scarcely cling together. | look
back upon it-StrOng man as | am-with
shivering dread.
1t vas owing under God, to her, that
Death, who stood waiting at my pillow,
day after day, length passed me. What
a nurse she was vigilant, sleepless, unit
ring. Perhaps it was owing to her calm
courage that she did not take the disease.
She seemed to be always near me, and
yet she found time to make herself look
as neat and even tasteful as usual. Ev-
erything in the room, after | was able 10
notice anything, was in scruPulOus order.
Delicate flowers, as fresh and sweet as
herself, bloomrd on my table a pleasant,
dreamy, half.light filled the apartment.
What change from the old boarding
house days!
| was thinking Of all this gracious care
and tenderness as | sat up for the first
time at the window. Mary--I had learn
ed to call her SO during my illness was
out of the room, but the tokens of her
presence were all around me. Presently
she came in and sat down by my side.
Mary, | said, almost involuntarily, Il
have been thinking ought to thank you
for saving my life. And yet do not
know as am grateful. Life will not be
of much value unless you will share it
bur if you cannot, you might as well have
let me go by the board
| had spoken as felt, seriously and
sadly, but merry twinkle danced in her
eyes.
so you think, now, you could stand
not only the children, but my having low.
cd some one clsc!'
Then you heard the foolish speech, af
ter all. 1t wasn't meant for YOUR car
Forgive it. You are too good for me, any
way. ask nothing better than to take
you just as you are
Children and all. P
Children and all; Ill try to be father
to them, Heaven helping me-
| shall be satisfied, sir, If you will be
their brother, since they are my mothers
children, not mine
And Mr.. Smith is
My father. He failed in business last
year, though, I am happy to say, he i,
living and well. | wanted to help him
but the only thing knew how to do was
to keep house. 1t seemed proper enough
occupation for an old maid like me. You
see am Tot very young, sir. When
found you thought me widow with chill
dren, | determined to favor the odd mis-
take. am not Mrs. Smith, though, bu,
simply Mary Smith, spinstcr, at your ser
vice, or at service in your family, if yor
like that way Of stating it better
And you will change your title, ant
retain your situation =
Her answer is no ones business bu,
my own.
Six weeks afterwards, my sister-in-law
was invited to my wedding. She lod&rC
surprised, but forbore any comment say,
to remind me of her prediction that Mrs
Smith would conquer my prejudice.
against widows with membranes. The
laugh was against her, however, when
told her that the future Mrs. Sandie BiSh
op was to go to the altar for the frs
time.
| have been married five years. Ny
prejudices against children have yielded
to the destinations OF bold little Sandie
and winsome little Mary, and sitting by
my own peaceful tircSide, bless the day
aud Providence that first made me knowr
to my housekeeper