The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1869-07-19


stances. Last evening | was called in
great haste to attend u person whom the
messenger reported to b., us be feared in
tue agonies OF death. ] lost no time;
my carriage was fortunately ut the door,
aud bidding the man get in with me,
drove as fast as possible 10 the house Of
the sick person, Upon a low bed lay n
woman, apparently nearly exhausted by
a violent hemoragc of the lungs, AT the
head of the bed aat beautiful little girl,
propping the pillow which supported her
mother; while, knecling on the floor, Il
young girl, with face almost as deathly
as'tbc one over which she was bending,
tenderly chaicd the brow and temples Of
the suffering woman, There was some
thing in her countenance which struck
INC from the first MS being familiar; |
could not help thinking had seen it be.
fore. The young lady beckoncd rue into
the adjoining room, where another har-
rowing sight awaited me, An old mnn
lay stretched upon the bed, as cold and
senselcss as the clods which must soon
cover him. His eyes were open, but the
flm Of death already hid the world from
their sight. Painful was the heavy,
labOred breathing which alone tod he yo.
lived; another fair girl, whom | had no,
seen before, sat BY the bedside, and held
one hand of the dying man clasped IN
hers. Tell me, tell me, doctor, will she
live? will our dear mother live!' whis-
pred the lovely girl whom | had first
seen, catching my arm, and looking up,
brea'hlessly, into my face. i cannot an
swcr for the event, my dear young LADY, |
replied; get | assure you, from her
present symptoms. ! think | may safely
bid you hope Thank God !! exclaimed
both sisters, ! then inquired how long
their mother had been i'll. 'For many
weeks, answered the cider; she has not
been confined all the time 10 her bed, but
has suffered greatly from debility and a
heavy cough. We are loo poor, us you
see,' she added, CHANGING around the
scantily furnished apartment, while a
slight color maat'ed her pale face, 10 call
in medical aid, when il is possible to dis
pense with it, and therefore, our dear
mother has been gradually getting weak
er and weaker. a lear rolled down her
check rs sae drew me to the bedside Of
the old man. Our poor father has been
for years but little better than you now
SEQ lim-scarcely conscious Of existence.
About Two hours since, was preparing
to go on, for few moments; my father
was sitting, MS usual. in his chair, and
my dear mother had just thrown herself
on the bed. ! think NY poor father must
have had another fit. for 10 suddenly be-
camc conyulsed, and fell forward upon the
floor. My mother screamed, and
sprang from the bed; but. alas !
ruptured blood.ycsscl in the attempt.
The fright and excrlion were TOO much
gor her, and she sank into'thc dying state
in which you found her. The poor girl
could no longer suppress her tears, and
for a few moments wopt unrcstraiDedly.
| told The unhappy girls that their father
would not, probably, survive until morn
ing; and, recommending such measures
as deemed iediciors, returned into the
other room. As approached the bedside
of my patient, she opened her eyes, and
made an effort to speak. Placing my
finger on my1ip, | inlreated her not TO
make The cxertion. She then SMILED. family
and extended her hand. Now the lrut,
suddenly flashed upon Inc. You are Mrs.
Chilson. I exclaimed, olasp;Dg her feeble
hand in mine.'
'Clilson-did you say Gibson % ca.
gcrly demanded Mrs. Mayhew, for the
first time interrupted the narrative.
ayes, my dear Mrs. Mayhem. It is
indeed too true; in that suffering family
recognized that Of the once wealthy
Richard Gibson"
The doctor paused a moment to subduc
bis emotion. aud then continued,
CATER a while, finding / had known
them in their prosperous days, The girls
freely related their sad history. II seems
the chief support Of the family was de-
pending upon The eldest dsughier-~a bea-
t,ful, charming girl, Mrs. Nlaylcw-who
some time has followed the profession of
a scamstress. A monh or two since
she was suddenly thrown out of work
and"
ooh, know all the restr' cried Mrs.
Mayhem, bursting into tears. "Poor,
poor gill thank heaven | at last found
her!"
She then related 10 the symratIising
doctor Tie events with which the reader is
already acquainted. 'And now, dear
DOCTOR" she continued, "take me there at
onco--let us not lose moment in going
to the relief Of this ullappy family"
Under the unrcmiitins and skilful care
Of DR.. Somers, and the kindness Of Mrs.
Mayhem, Mrs. Cllilson was soon able to
be removed toa pleasant little dwelling
hired by the good physician. Caroline
aud Nina were placed at school, while the
patronage of Mrs Mayhem soon supplied
Amy with constant employment, such,
too as she could do at home, without
bing forced to leave her mother, who was
still in very delicate health.
One morning, having finished piece Of