The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1867-11-16
A Pretty story.


Slowly the dismal December twilight CAV
place to the deepest shade Of night, and tn
snow which nearly all day long had beer
whis;ling through the air in whirling drifts
ceased ia blow. Huge banks II purest white
flied the fence corners, rad the little brown
cottage by the wayside was almost bidder
~ the great ocean cf snow.
Suddenly single horseman came dashinl
along the highway, and he reined his pant
ing steed up 10 the gate.
Dismounting, be hurried up the snow
covered path, and knocked gently at tn,
door Of the cottage.
A kind faced nasronly woman answered
his slow summons, and with fearful " G Joc
evening, Doctor" ushered him into a smaI
and rather scahtily furnished apartment
Ehere two women were busily engaged ID
doing up the evenings work.
| With a has'y ,reeting he passed on to ar
inner room, which was rather more comfort
ably furnished than the first
7 The lamp on the little stand gave loIth .
amt, ghmmering light, and the hckerine
wood fire al the other end OF the room threw
a rudcy, cheerful glow over the scene.
| Oa the low bed WAS stretched woman,
form, 50 pale 50 wasted ircm long sickne !,
and suffering, that one could scarcely hav,
believed she had ever been bear Hful And
yet she-that faded, carew0rn, and prema
| turely old won n, had once been bright and
young, and beautiful as a poets dream
without one care TO darken her glad young
lie. When the doctor entered she was ly.
ing deep sleep; indeed, so peaceful seemed
her slurubers, one would have almost havt
mistaken it for the calm, sweet 'eep o
death.
! BY the bedside, with her face buried il
tie snowy counterpane, kIsitz young girf
Golden curls fell in rich profusion Ger ths
graceful shoulders, reaching nearly to tht
slender, girlish waist. She never looked uT
when the doctor entered aud kneellng there
in that mute, despairing way, she looked like
figure OF stone, 60 careless she seemed Of
what was passing around her.
| The Doctor went up to the bedside and
took one Of the invalld's thin, wasted hands
IN his to ascertain tho beating of the pulse
lie shook his head and looked pityingly
down OF the glrllsh figure kneeling there
with the freight dancing on her sunny
curls.
Poor little thing" thought the kind
hearted Doctor, Git viii be rather bard
blow on her, reckon" And then he went
softly out and closed the door.
What 90 you think about Mrs. Lee
Doctor 2" asked one OF the women.
"Oh, don't know, but to tell the truth
think her recovery rather doubtful. And
now. if you will just give me a cup, think
will leave her a small qu'eting potion. She
NAV grow restless toward morning, and may
! need il.
"So you really think we must lose our
good, kind neignbur," said the woman,
wiping away the tears that would come to
nor eyes.
." fear she will not remain with you
long" answered the Doctor. suppose
you and this lady will watch tonight, will
you not, -
"Yes, we will stay with her"
at will be sad loss foe the young lady,
she seems to think so much Of her mother.
les, poor child," said the woman, pity
ingly. ut will almost break her heart,
fear
"WeIl, really, must be going. II i,
seven O'Clock slready," looking at his watch
and have two more calls to make yet TO
0ight viii call early in the morntng and
see how she Is getting along for although
cannot restore her to health, l win at least
! DO oil Ia nv power to make her comfortable
while she lives.
! The doctor put on bis overcoat, and throw
| ing bis saddle bags across his arm went Il
| the door. PausiDg, with bis hand on the
latch, be said: "Don't let her sleep too LONG
! for she Is so very weak. Good evening"
and be was gone out in the darkness ant
dIearv waste Of snow
And in that little room the pale sleeper
slept on and the girlish figure still kuel
there, silent ana motionless as q statue.
ssKlttie, my darling, where are you ?" Al
Last called the faint, vice OF the invalid.
"Here, mosber," AID in q moment the
young girl was bending over, caressinc th'
poor pale brow.
"Kittie, have just been dreaming. O
such beautiful dresa! | thought 4 had
crossed the dsaa river, and found the glori'
c=s rest beyond the grave. And have onlJ
come to bid you farewell and bless you, my
child. Then am going il reality. Gotel
| the women to come woUssa.4id them fare.
we'll before 70, for they have been kidd te
me.r -
Mechanically the poor girl obeyed, and
after few partings had been spoken, the
sick woman said
az want you to leave Us alone nov, ny
| friends, for wish 10 spend the last Few mo.
msnt Of my. life With my daughter. Nj
poor child ~ spe mnrmured, when they had
gone, "you viii miss your mother sally,
fesr." y
20, mother don't talk %. am IN hopes
you win soon be well again, and then W
shall be s. happy. You knowA IL would
break my heart 70 lose you-H so6bed ths
girl.
The mother shook her head, and smooth.
"a the soft, silken curls from her fslr pale
brow.
ssIt is better as it is" she nurmursd
family, ssand may God bless snd keep nj
chiid pure and innocent. that she may mesi
ne ip another world, where psrting comsa
10 morey
Her voice lad grown fainter and tainted
and when shs had ceased speskink : fAini
smile lie M the wasted faatafte, then ths
hlns eyes c1osed forever % the scsnss oi
tbis Eerld and Kittis Leo was ~ orphan. !
q. The warm spring day wss oLo6i14 snd ~
laet rayq of The sesting sun Ii IN - boanEf.
III earsh, cIothel 10 IL new 20 NJ of pin1
~ IN ~ << tsrsn. A yosng ~ wIll