Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1871-09-01

her, kiss, and carefully lifting him into
his high chair, tied on his table. apron,
which she saw hanging ready for the pur-
pose, and placed his breakfast before him.
Mrs Markham looked up. and made
sign of silence as her husband entered the
room with the waiter.
she is really sleeping quietly she whis-
pered, as she came forward to meet him,
and there is moisture upon the skin. 90
thinkehe symptoms are more favorable =
Why, Henry ? she exclaimed, with a glance
Of surprise at the waiter, what good cook
you are /! T had no idea that you could get
breakfast so nicely
You are not indebted to me for It, re-
piled her husband, with smile. I'VE had
help of the first quality down stairs, l as
sure you
is it possible What relief Did Doc
tor Merrill send her ?
No, indeed She came Of her own ao-
cord. 1t is our neighbor, Mrs. Lawson. =
She heard of our situation. and came to offer
her services
And you asked her to get breakfast p
Why, Henry
1T is all right, I assure you, little wife.
She is just the kindest, most motherly sort
Of woman you ever saw, and takes right
hold of the first thing she sees needs to be
done. She, said a cup of coffee would do
you good, andsasked me to take it to you,
and theneome to my own breakfast She
has it all ready
60, then, by all means; [ am sure you
! R,,t cfr tn ho
indebted to stranger in this way replied
Mrs Markham, with sigh, as she closed
the door gently after her husband, and sat
down to refresh herself from the little waiter
And now, Mr. Markham said his new
friend as the gentleman finished his morning
meal, and expressed his earnest thanks, 1T
you will trust your family to my care for
the day, and 60 to your business as usual,
I will do my very best to attend to them
faithfully.
But, my dear madam, it seems too much
to ask Of you. We have no claim upon you
for SO much kindness
L do not see it in that light. We all
have claims upon each other for kindness
and sympathy. have a daughter at home
who can attend to the family, SO you need
not hesitate to accept my offer I am very
glad to be Of use to you
Mr. Markham thought Of his boasted
motto, Take care Of number one,' and
stood rebuked in the presence of his friend
ly neighbor.
An early visit from the doctor, and an
assurance that the disease was taking more
favorable turn diffused cheerful sphere
throughout the household. Mr.. Markham
went to his business, and Mrs Lawson, af-
ter putting the house in order, and attend
ing to little Robbie's wants, went, in her
motherly way, to the sick room, and quiet
ly won her way to the hearts of both moth
er and daughter.
When Mr.. Markham returned in the eve
ming, he was surprised to find his wife await
ing him at the supper table, and to hear her
say that Julia was quite willing to have Mrs.
Lawson stay with her part of the time.
She knows exactly what to do for the
poor child far better than do added the
mother; and she is SO very kind that I feel
as if had known her all my life
1t is blessing to have her with US, am
sure,' was the reply; but it seems too
much to ask of neighbor'
I know it does and I said SO to Mrs
Lawson, but she says it is real pleasure to
her. She is going to watch with Julia to-
night and let us sleep; and she has told
the doctor of a woman, whe lives two or
three miles from here, who she thinks, will
be willing to come and stay with us until
the sickness is over. The doctor will see
her tonight. and bring us word in the
morning
That is good news. I hope he will be
successful And now for supper. feel
very tired, and shall be very thankful to
rest, if I can feel sure that you are to be re-
lieved. The last two nights have been v cry
trying to both of u.s.
Quiet and refreshing sleep, and encour-
aging accounts from the kind nurse, the
next morning, had restored the weary par
ents. Doctor Merrill came early with the
welcome!tidings that woman, we'll qualified,
for her work, would be there within an hour.
we are so very grateful to your said
Mrs. Markham. as her kind neighbor babe
her goodbye promising to look in again
by-and.by after she had seen to her own
family little .... t.. ..r
And I am SO glad to have been of use to
you,' was the reply. 1t is such pleasure
to help those who are in troubles
I have given up my old motto, my dear,
said Mr.. Markham, to his wife, as he re-
turned from accompanying Mrs. Lawson to
the door. I am convinc ed that it will not
answer to always look out for number one.'
1t will not, indeed, Henry was the
earnest reply. I'VE are so dependent upon
each other
A few days of continued anxiety, and
then all was again cheerfulness and sunshine
with the Markhams. Little Julia was rap
idly recovering, and Robbie showed no
symptoms of having taken the disease. Good
help was in the kitchen, and the doctors car
riage was no longer seen standing at the door.
Mrs Lawson continued her friendly visits,
and being SOON on familiar terms, told thea
one day, of the handsome sum which had
been contributed towards rebuilding their
barn.
'The friends who first got up the sub
scription thought they should be obliged to
give it up she remarked, there were 90
few who felt able to help us but there has
been large addition to it lately, and We
cannot find from whom it came, am sure
we are most heartily grateful to him.
Mrs. Lawson glanced at Mr.. Markham,
as she said this, and perhaps she had her
suspicious as to where the gift came from.
The gentleman said nothing; but, as she
went On talking with his wife on other cub
jects, he thought over the events of the last
two weeks, and came to the just conclusion
that the lesson be had learned from Mrs
Lawson was far more valuable than any