The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1869-01-28
II R O It.

"IIopedale!' N '.''
opened my sleepy eyes as the
conductors voice rang through the
cars, aud taking my carpet bag,
sprang out upon the platform OF
the little station. My bricf holi.
day was over, and, with q shrug,
prepared for my short walk
through the morning air, looking
forward to the good fire and de-
licious cup Of coffee | was sure
Mrs. Watson was keeping for me.
II was a very rare event for me
to leave tho little village whose
name heads this story. My faith
er had been the only resident ply
sician there from tho time was a
boisterous school boy up to the
hour when, in his professional
rounds, ho fell dead with heart dis.
case in the main street, leaving
me, his heretofore assistant, sole
heir to his name, property and
practice. Ten years before, they
had carried my dear mother to tile
little churchyard and installed Mrs,
Watson 'bonsekeeper In her place
The villagers were willing to Lei
theyoune doctor step into his faith
er's rlace beside their sick beds
and so for FIVE years L ha6 filled
his duties. In all those five years
| hud taken no holiday, so when
anainvitation came from my old
college friend and since correspon-
dent, Clement Payne, TO spend
Christmas with him at his fathers
place, on the Hudson, | was sorely
tempted to accept, and finally con.
cludcd to do so. 1T was literally y
Christmas | spent, leaving home
at midnight on the oath; uhd my
friend's house exactly twenty fduI
hours Inter. 1t had been a pleas
ant break in the Jmonotony OF my
life, und,a | stood at sun rise on
the HUpcdale Station platform.
was asGre my recreation would
bring me new vigor for my daily
duties. b.i'',i e5- ''7. Oh
AS I turned to descend the stop,
leading to the road, some impulsc
nay, q Providence. led me 10 look
in at the window of tho room, by
courtesy 'Ladics' ROOM" Of The
station. twas cold and drsolale
No fire was lighted, and there wat
no furniture; unless the hard, wood
on benches against the walls could
beso denominated. But eurlcd ~
on one OF these benches, sleeping
soandly, lay a strange child. Hi'
dl ess Of rich fur trimmed velvet
the warm fur cap, cutters and nit
tens, iSpoke Of wealth and care,
and the pale face, round which
clustered short cnrls OF a sunny
brown, was round with health and
wonderfully beautiful. ii'a'i''@.
He was no Hopcdalc child; j
knew them all. My 'proteysiona
Instinct made my heart thrill will
a sudden shock, as | caught Sigh
of the pale face, for we'll l. Knew
the danger Of sleeping in the bit
ing winter air. How long had hi
been there? Was he already dead
were the questions / asked myscl
as | strobe across the room anc
lifted him ip my arms. There
was no breath came from the white
lips, no throb at the wrist, only
faint futtering under my fingers
as | pressed them over the baby
heart. Mantling him warmly il
my heavy cloak, | tore down 'th'
steps" and raced along the roat
homeward at a pace that woulC
have considerably amazed my pa
tients, had any Of them beer
awake at that early hour.
Allowing Mrs. Watson no tim
for amuzoment, pressed her int
my service; and in what she calle'
"a jiffy" We had the little form un
dressed, in my bed, and undergo
ing the most vigorous treatment.
1t was SO long before we wer
successful, that my heart almos
failed me; but at last the fain
throbs grew stronger; color cam
to tho pale lips and checks, and
pair of large brown eyes appeared
from under the heavily tringe'
lids | had watched so anxiously,
Only a look of sleepy inquir.
was visible as he stared q monen
at me, then cbeyiDg my order I