Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1864-09-06
A Sick Brother.

A Sick Brother.
Some years ago, when Digges was q
worse man than he is now, be and his
friend Bob were sauntering down Wash
ington Street, when Digges bowed to
respectable looking mar, and the bow was
returned.
Who was tbatr asked Bob, with stare
of wonder.
DON'T know bis name; he belongs to
my lodge; very clever fellow answered
Digges.
Your lOdgsr Bob echoed. You're an
Odd Fellow, thenf'
Yes
And Son of Temperament
Yes
And Good Templar
Yes
"A KnightP
Yes
Bob's face grew radiant
Are your dues paid upP
'Yes; why do you ask = exclaimed Dig.
ges, much astOnished at the sudden delight
of his friend
How much do these societies give o
week to a sick brotherP
Some three dollars and some four dol.
lars week.
And what proof do they require of bis
sicknessl'
The certificate of respectable pbysi-
cisn,' answered Digges.
A short pause ensued. Bob seemed to
be literally runBing over with Q supera-
bundauce Of delight.
And with these facts before YOU, mis-
guided Digges. you have perished in the
enjoyment Of good health =
1t should be stated that neither had q
dime IN his pocket.
Never was sick week in my life-onlJ
in my pocket
Without another word, Bob took the
arm Of Digges within his own, and led
him into neighboriDg oyster cellar
Seated within the box, be closed the cur.
tains, and said, in tone of deep feel.
ing
'Digges, you really ought to take care Of
yourself. You now exhibit all the pre-.
mOnitOry. symptoms of a bilious at
tack
'Ehf What do you sayr cried Digges
jumping from bis chair.
Your skin is salIow, your tongue furred
and your eyes fsverish.'
is that so, Bob2'
'CertsiOly. In an hour, my friend, yor
will be in bed With a raging fever. To
night you will be deliriOus. Tomorrow
you will not be expected to live, and mex
week
Next week ? echoed Digges. becoming
really pale.
Next week. resumed Bob-are you lis
tsning i-drsW at least twelve dollars frou
the societies. will sign your certificate
As you will be sick great many weeks
you will continue to draw twelve dollari
per week for a considerable time. Digces
pity you; you look bad
At these words the couutenance Of
Digges became overepread with milo
resignation. He extended bis hand. HI
clutched Bob's with a hearty grasp.
It's great deal Of sickness 20 look for.
ward to. but I'm content. You see an
resigned. You see 1 am. By-the-bye Bob
l don't feel well, S'puse you 20 home will
me, and put me to bed 2
With pleasure, Digges.'
1t was quite touching to see how Boil
went home and put him to bed. To,
twelve weeks Bob watched night and da,
by the bedside. Every one remarked hi
devotion The Committee. of the variou,
societies who came with the weekly bene.
H. for the sick brother, were delighted
with Bob. They spoke of the devotion o.
the young physician to their sick brother
in all the lodges
sit down. my friends Bob would re.
mark, in @ subdusd voice, when the com.
mittee appeared; our poor friend fail
fast. lie has been delirious all night
Speak low-the least noise disturbs him.
And then the committee would sit dOHr
in that darkened room, in the fourth stor,
Of boarding house, add gsze through thI
gloom upon the form of poor Digges wut
was stretched upon his bed, his cadaverou
face appearing above the edge Of the GOV
erlid. After q few moments they leave
first placing in the hands Of Bob the sun
due their sick brother. And after ,h
committee had left and gone down stairs
Bob would give orders that the pstien
should not be disturbed. lie would tbel
lock the door. He would then approach
the bed, and address his patient
'Digges, my boy, will you take your to-
hot or cold 2
To which the patient, fliuging of th
oed-clothes, and jumping out of bed, woul
respond
IN take it hot, B0bP
We wish we could state that Bob an
Digges refunded the money which the
swIndled out Of the societies, but we fea
that truth would not warrant the asser
ton.