The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1870-12-11

noon of this day, when they gained q cover
in the ravine near our honse, where they gave
Up, unable to make o further effort without
food, which they dared not seek. The father
driven frantic by the cries of his children, WA
about to rush ont in quest of bread at any
sde
sured them they had nothing to fear from him
and what followed has been told.
When the shades of evening secured MS from
observation, my brother assisted me in con.
veying to the barn such bedding as was need
full to protect them from the night chills
After all arrangements were made for their
comfort, retired, followed by their fervent
blessings, and was soon in bed, and sleeping
soundly.
Before midnight, was awakened by q gentle
tap on tn. the window OF my nursery, which was
sprang from my bed, filed with anxious mis-
giviDgs that proved to be only too we'll found
ed. Norah, the oldest child of the family,
stood by the window, pale and trembling, and
as approached whispered huskily between
her sobs, +" o lady! come to us quick, for my
father is dying with the great Agony"
Eyes, my childW replied, as threw on my
dressing grown, and formed my plan of action
in q twinkling. j.
did not dare send for a physician, as it
would compromise him with the relentless au-
tend upon this charge, which regarded as
having clearly been committed to my pcotec-
tion by Divine Providence-yet was not ac-
drink without medical direction.
] must let Huldah into the secret, for
needed her aid. So called her and my brother
directed her TO Gil the large boiler in the arch
III sse ss EsssI ri Pa sss M 'ssss 8 ms
barn. told them to bring the water, and
empty it into the tub, as soon as it was hot,
and while Huldah remained with me- at the
barn, he should see to keeping plentiful sup
ply of hot water in the boiler and tea-kettle.
Whitd giving these directions, had hastily
gathered and packed in basket bottle of
otol nj ,1nv
of oil of hemlock, q bottle of what Thompso-
MAN physicians called hot-drops, being chiefly
preparation of cayenne pepper in alcohol,
and flask of very penetrating and stimulat-
ing liniment for sprains and bruises in horses;
the last three having been presented to me, as
tokens of gratitude, by an old blind essence
pcddlar to whom had offered home with us
when he should pass eur way, and for whom
had on such occasions performed the services
of cleansing, filling, and labelling his pitfalls
for new start-else should never have pos
for keeping as for administering drugs.
Thus equipped, snatched pile of blankets
from closet, took the lighted lantern, and
started for the barn. Arriving there, my worst
fears were realizedl The strong man was
writhing in the grasp of that terrific disease,
in the presence OF which now stood for the
first-thank God! it was also the last-t.me,
face to face. His countenance was rapidly
that ashen hue which is not to be
mistaken. The agonized contortions of the
whole frame were fearful to behold, impossible
to describe! The stided means of an agony
which was crushing the life out of that noble, |
athletic form brought a deathly faintness over |
me as they met my ear; but, nerving myself to |
my Heaven-appointed task, promptly pre- |
iaudaunm in the hot-drops, WEIGH he succeeded
in swallowing though with great difficulty, 80 |
severe were the spasms in his throat. 1 then |
called them all to assist me bin bathing his |
w hole body freely with the liniment, and APP |
plying violent friction with the hands sus- |
pect my course would have made regular |
smile, but could only use such |
remedies as / had at hand, and trust In Provi- |
dence to guide my ignora ice. |
While were thus employed, Huldah ar |
rived with the hot water, into which poured |
oil of Misunderstanding heard that vapor-baths |
prepared with hemloek boughs had been |
found efficacious in this disease-and set Hull |
iah to ringing the blankets from 1t, and as |
,isting me in wrapping them closely around |
him, layer over layer While we were rubbing
passed over Jumps under the skin as hard as |
bone the whole length of the limbs. With !
" hat intense anxiety watched for the slight
De favorable Indication And with what a |
1ood of thankful tears-the first had dared |
allow myself to shed-did 1 at length discover
,he least faint yielding of that frightful ten
ZION and alienation of the excruciating spasms! |
Yet allowed no relaxation in the use of RENE
lies to follow these first encouraging symp-
oms. AS soon as hoped his stomach would
etaiD it, administered frequent doses of hot
brandy punch in small quantities. Before
morning had the unutterable satisfaction of
eeing him swallow without difficulty or
Nausea, cup of tea in which cracker was
oaked, soon after which slight general per-
piration appeared, the spasms ceased entirely,
nd the exhausted sufferer fell into quiet
leep. At dawn, reused him gently to take
lore nourishment, and when he slept again, |
to the house, under the joyful persua-
ion that the danger was now passed, and that
he patient with good care would soon recover.
- Concluded next weekl