Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1871-10-24

"Well, dear. we will he hopeful" re-
turned her husband, checriully III may
be onl, passing attack, L.wiIl 80 i'm
mcdately."
"And what does the doctor LAY is all
M Miss Julia, sir?" asked Bessie, the
maid of all work, a, Nj. Markham came
INTO the Kitchen. sonn alter The doctor had
made his visit
"Scarlet lever, of the very worst de.
scription," was the dcSpondiGg reply.
"MlS. Markham cannot !cavc her ior IN
instant Bessie. We slr,l lcpc"d upon
you to see that every thing i attended To
about the hou>e; and please Keep iohoic
from the SICK. room a> much aS possible.
roor little fellow fear sc shall MOI be
able to prevent his taking the disease"
''lndadc, an am very sorry ior yc,
sir, but must he after LAYING My
month was up yesterday.
But surely, Bessie. exclaimed the IN
dignanl gentleman, 'yoa would not he
So cruel rs Ia leave uS, now that we are
in such trouble
at i uul cruel aud selfish that | nn,
sir. a,u very sorry lur ye all, but in
dade an am afraid oi the ievcr, | mus;
lave this very evening.
Exp0s,ulation, persuasion and bribery
were alike useless BcSsir's only reply
to Mr. Markham's "Reminiscences was
that she mnsl take care ui herself
THIS /, booking out Ior number oCe
with a Vengeance, mutlcred the di,com-
lifted master. ~ he turned from the kich-
en-. aud Wenl reinctanlly to tell ni> vile
OF the ueW misfortune.
In an hour Bessie WAS gone
we must make tlc best nl IT., rc
marked Mrs. Markham We c.m get
along very well to night. and to morrow
will send for Mrs Bates. who some
times washes for us. She will help Us
ion dAy or two, until wc c1u lind some
one TO take Bcisie's place should not
like 10 have stranger in The house It
now. Perhaps Dr Merrill knows oi somc
suitable person
Morning brought no rciict ci;hcr to the
sick child or the anxious parents. The
fearful disease MAS making rapid pro-
grcS>, aud il was very evident that ihc
case waS an extremely critical )ne
Wear, With watching and anxiety, Mrs.
Malb ham sent. at an early hour Tor Mrs.
Bates: but received for an answer that
she could not think of coming where
there WAS scarlet fevc', and would not
even be willing to have the clothes
brought to the house, lest her own little
girl should take the disease
What can we do, doctor?' p asked Mr.,
Markham. ~ he told Doctor Merrill how
they were situated Can you tell us OF
any one who would be willing to come
and help " a while ?"
IL tear it will be difficult matter TO
get any one. =" returned the doctor. Scar.
| let fever has been 50 fatal ot late that II
+, as much dreaded rs smallpox. You
should not have told Bessie the name ot
the disease Mr. Markham.
81 did not suppose any one would be
so selfish as to 90 off in That manner when
there was sickness in the house." replied
Mr. Markham. Indignantly
"Oh, As To that, people always look ont
for number one said the doctor, goud
naturedly, and quite unconscious that hc
was treading on delicate ground. II will
make inquiries. and see what can do for
YOU" he added, as he took leave, promis
ing to see his patient again in the course
Of the day.
II think he will find some one" said
Mr. Markham. hopefully. Everybody
cannot be afraid of scarlet fever; and for
/ to-day can remain at home without seri.
Gus Inconvenience. and will do my best
( to help YOU What shall do ilrst?7
You had better stay with Julia, !
think" answered Mrs. Markham. little
doubtfully, for she had not much conf,
dence in her husbands skill as a nurse,
and still less in bis capacity for being use
| full in the kitchen.
The day wore slowly away. The child
continued very i'll, and alter doing what
was absolutely necessary Tor the comfort
of the family, the mother returned 10 The
sick.room, and devoted herself 10 The sui.
ferer, while Mr. Markham took charge OF
Robbie, who was lonely and fretlul with.
out his usual playmate.
! The doctors second visit brought no re.
lief He shook his head gravely as he
looked at his patient. and made no direct
reply TO the anxious inquiries Of the
parents; and his efforts to procure help
had been entirely unsuccessful.
And another weary night passed. The
little girl moaned piteOusly il her mother
attempted TO leave her. and after one OF
two efforts to take his wiie's place, Mr..
Markham went Ia the Kitchen to prepare
the breakfast This was for him no easy
task, for he was totally inexperienced in
such matters.
Il must do my best" he said TO him
sell. Il eau at least make 4 cup OF tea
OF coffee, and Robbie can have bread and
milk. But what puzzles me most is TO
know how we are 10 get along through
the day. must go TO the city or my bust.
ness will suffer materially; and yet how