The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1868-12-18

the race. Without delay gathered such
things as fancied might bo Of service,
wrapped the delicate form In q heavy
cloak, with q few whispered words OF
comfort we sailed out together into the
black night and merciless storm and cold.
Fortunately the distance we had 10 trav-
el was q short one. A few blocks passed,
and she led me up several flights OF dismal,
creaking stairs, Into room.
Florence, Is that your heard by what
my ear convinced mo was pair Of child
ish. infantile lips.
u am so glad. You have been 50 long,
so very, very long away, and It was so
dark, and ! have been 30 frightened at the
strange noises
My fair guide had been making prepa-
rations to obtain q light; but when she
heard the words she hew to the other
side Of the room, and ] knew that
turned.
Excuse me, air. she said, rs she turned
and lighted the little remnant Of candle.
Excuse me, but have been so long away
from Bessle.'
answered not. Her voice had melo-
dy In 1t, now attuned by love, that wish
ell to llnger upon my ear unbroken, like
the strains Of some songs have head,
which haunted me for years.
In moment the candle shed slckly
light around the room. Little indeed, and
unfurnlshed to nothlngness! One scanti-
ly furnished bed was all. But within 1t q
sweet wee face that made mo forget all
else. approached 1t and laid my hands
upon the little sufferer.
who arc your she asked, drawing
back In alarm.
lie Is n doctor, Bessie; a dear, good,
kind FRIEND replied her sister; and nom
that moment she became perfectly passive
In my hands.
1t did not require one learned In the SCI
ence of materia medlca to see what was
required made the proper prescription,
saw that It was tenderly administered,
told the elder sister that would be back
In few moments, and resisting all her at
tempts to light me down the stairs. CROPPED
my way into the street. had noticed an
eating-house ut but q little distance as we
came along, and q astatement Of the case,
backed by the all-powerful king OF the
world, gold, soon procured the loan OF o
dlsused stoves couple Of chairs. fucl,
light and proper food, and In brief half
hour, that little room wore something like
an air OF comfort. Another hour and the
eyes Of the child were closed In slumber,
and urged her sister to also seek rcpose ;
but In vain.
AT least, lie down aud let mo cover you
with my cloak l urged. =.
NO, Doctor was the constant reply, Il
cannot. am so happy. 1t must have
been God that directed my wandering
steps to you.'
And so we sat with the night wind roar
Ing without, watching the almost angelic
face of the peacefully slumbering child
sat and talked of what was more thail
anxious to hear. But the conversation OF
those long, dark hours can be condensed
into a very brief space.
She who would have sold her body for
the sake Of giving little longer or life 70
her sister, was the daughter OF at least
supposed wealth. But few years preyl-
ousiy, she could have held her head as
high rs the highest. Both birth and cdti-
cation fitted her for 1t. But misfortune
camc-a series of disasters upon the land
and sea, against which no human fore
Thought could g,iatil combined with treach-
cry and ingratitude Of the deepest dye,
swept away all. In their footsteps follow
led the death Of the mother, leaving an IN,
Mnt OF but few months old. The fond
father struggled against the tide manfully
tor q brief tLme-then his health gave way
-he followed his wifo through tho dark
valley and beyond the shining river, leav-
Ing the elder sister to provide for the
For a tlme,' continued the poor girl, Il
was able to live comfortably by the sale
of the furniture and articles Of value I
possessed. Then-but why should so
uhbosom myself TO strangerr she ask
cd. stopping suddenly, and looking me
full In the face.
Because replied, with smile at her
carnestness, because you have found q
true heart, and one that can feel for you.
Yes, may kind Heaven be thanked! l
feel that It Is so. Well, l struggled on
no, fought were the better word, she con-
tinued with the lines about her noble
mouth suddenly becoming hard-I fought
for life, sometimes obtaining little sew
Ing, In short, doing anything that my
strength permitted until sickness came.
Still gave not away to despair. Truly l
was bound to tho stake-a sweet one-.my
darling sister. or the insults l received
while seeking work, shall not speak.
They must be forever locked In my own
breast and the pallid face was flushed to
scarlet, even ut the thought.
And found no employment
None. Piece by piece / parted viii,
the little furniture was the p0ssessor or,
until what you sec was all that re-
mained.'
My poor childP
,Itis true saw that she was nerving
herself to tell me something that was pain.
ft,l, very painful, aud would have stopped
her, but she rcsolutely continued. 1T Is
true some money was offered me by more
. than one man, but I hurled 1t back in my
insulter's face. Then, great Heaven upon
this bitter night, with all Of hope gone, l
determined to sell my body to some sur
geon.'
what In the name Of heaven could have
put such au ilea Into your headv
Il do not know-I cannot tell. some
where had heard or read Of something OF
the kind
'You must have been very desperate
On the verge of Distraction had but
one drcam-one dcsire-to save my OAR
ling even single hour Of palm
Have you no relatlyesY
Not single one that know OF. Both
Of my parents were only children, anu
their parents came from foreign lands.
She paused, and turned to smooth the
hair Of the slumbering Bessie, and imprint
q kiss upon the curl.wreathed ana snowy
brow; and thought what desperate triais
one like her must have passed through III
order to look calmly upon giving herself
to the knife and the ribald Jest OF the DIS
secting-roOm! And thought, too, Oh the
sterling truth Of her young heart that
could resist the allurements OF gold when
so hedged In by want and pain IN their
but she Interrupted me with
MY kind-lndeed I may say my only
friend-whom God has raised up for me
In the hour when all was darkness and
misery aud black death, and . psuper's
grave were staring me In the face. MY
kind friend-but am-have been keeping
you from rest
Me! A plyslcian's life Is one that Is
constantly broken In upon and-will you
partlon meY have never hal my heart 30