St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1865-08-03

'Chills and fever, :" he said, in answer to
Gerald's question; ''but, thanks to Doctor
Amy, hope 1t will not 'turn out much
Keep her quIet for few days; I'1l call in
he morning" )" y ts;;s' :sz=la.s ,as'f...9
'''You are not going home tonight, :" said
Gerald. ? D9asgas tasS4. ssz.&'.s.f s!3itss rs
:. ''No indeed y I echoed. ..1'll have your
room ready for him in Eve minutes, Gerald"
and leaving them together, l went to my
cousins room. The bed-clothes were toss-
ed town In q pile on the floor, and although
Miss Leslie says we mustn't say muss, I am
afraid no other word will describe the
state Of that bed. I had never made bed;
all my work here had been in the down
stairs department, but was determined to
make that bed 50 went to work. I was
very small, even for seventeen. Many
girl Of thirteen could look over my h cad,
and ], was slight as we'll as short. Fancy
me then, trying to reach up to an old fash
ioned high bedstead. scrambled up until
stood on tho bed, and best it up by dint
Of kicking it and plunging into it, till the
feathers lay in = great round ball in the
centre. Then, still keeping my stand on
the mattrass near the foot-board, dragged
up the heavy sheets, the blankets. pillows,
and bolster, fixing the latter into their pls-
ces that might not step on the feathers
Nwas queer looking bed, but did not
stay to admire it, and all flushed as vas,
I went back to Aunt Fanay's room. 5' II
Gerald took the doctor in, and l could
hear the smothered laughter which greeted
my efforts. ..:e.
''Looks like an enraged snow-bank with
it's back up" said Gerald. ...... ...,
Il shall have to roll myself into tight
ball and jump into the middle Of it," said
the doctor. ~.
'.Like Dutch bed where yoar head snd
feet stick out at the ends"
ut would be jolly if could coil up like
. snake now"
Mentally resolving to turn my attention
to bed making at the earliest opportunity
threw myself down beside Aunt Fanny to
watch her.
1hesrd Gerald 60 down stairs to finish
the night on the settee in the kitchen, and,
creeping into the entry, I, tossed two pill,
lows and o blanket down on his head as he
passed under the banister where stood.
''Thank you'll" he said throwing them
over his arm. "You are the good genius
or sleepy :fo1ks,' :. aud, with u sxucy mugh
over the recollection Of bis own bed, he
went into the kitchen. '@ '''," 10.
I needed no call to send me down stairs
in the morning, but leaving auntie still
asleep, I arranged my dress and went into
the kitchen Gerald was up before me, and
we prepared, together, a most substantial
breakfast before the doctor made his ap-
pearance.' ..@" 1.-@ "s..'* -'ss -.
SWELL nurse" was his greeting; shows
your patient?" il =. =. ''>'. ..''<
'::still asleep!" -, ''... =
s'You must have made her toddy pretty
strong," he said, with dancing eyes. '..
"Oh, Amy is Q liberal provider," said
Gerald; ''when she cooks rice, for in
stance"
"Now, Gerald"' "
"Don't mind him. said the doctor :;
''what splendid coffee! Yours Amy?''
''.'Yes; Gerald taught me to make it, or
rather to grind it, - '.'''' " Z
"There is no great art in that said the
doctor, taking cake from the pile. before
him. -.
"1t don't come naturally, though said
gravely.
II must 60 to Woodtown this morning,
Amy, il you can get along alone" said Ger
aid. ''Can you have dinner later, say two
o'clock !" '.' ''.'',,.' .. Il q u ''s' '.','
eyes, glad Of the extra time.'' "'.' ," . .
The doctor LEFT me some powders, with
directions about diet; forbade my allowing: ,l,
Aunt Fanny to rise, and promised to call
the next day, '.,.', ~ '.''.' 80.
Here was q predicament. Gerald gone,
Aunt Fanny asleep, and do the work.
One week Of errand girl duties had BY no
means prepared me for the whole response
bility. Of the house, and I felt rather dis
mayed. Fortunately, my. aunt had wo-
man to take her washing. and l had sup
ply of clean clothes to start on. One week
had drenchsd two Wrappers, mudd,ed two,
creased three muslin dresses, and made q
mountain Of soiled things. Inever passed
the etove without carrying off : reminis-
cence on my dress, the pots and kettles
left traces Of my acquaintanoeship on ev-
erythipg Of mine they touched; and wash.
ing dishes invariably, ,deluged me With
greasy water. Ihad left piece Of trim
ming or muslin on several nails, and the
wood,shed bore floating banners in honor
Of victorious wrenches given to ny dresses
OF skirts. A month Of this life would make
me . walking rag-bag, for ! had no mate-
risls in my summer wardrobe ft for the
warfare. Never mind Dinner was to be
cooked, and was to perform the task.
{ Jerry had plueked = pair Of fat fowls the
night before,g and ( knew that suntie In
tended them for dinner. / looked at them
~ they hung In the spring-house, wonder
ing how you did cook them, when renem-
bered fthatwe had had roast mutton . day
Or two before. .1had seen that prepared,
Il could cook chickens. Their
heads were Of, 10 I carried them up 70 the
house toroast. I washed them very clean,