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

sWe must make the best of it," remark
ed Mrs Markham. I'VE can get along
very well tonight, and tomorrow will
send for Mrs. Bates, who sometimes washes
for us. She will help us for a day or two,
until we can find some one to take Bessie's
place. | should not like to have stranger
in the house just now. Perhaps Doctor
Merrill knows of some suitable person
Morning brought no relief. either to the
sick child or the anxious parents. The
fearful disease was making rapid progress,
and it was very evident that the case was
an extremely critical one.
Weary with watching and anxiety, Mrs.
Markham sent, at an early hour, for Mrs.
Bates but received for answer that she
could not think of coming where there was
scarlet fever, and would not even be willing
to have the clothes brought to the house.
lest her own little girl should take the dis
ease. 4 Et.aa
What can we do, doctorr asked Mr.. Mark
ham, as he told Doctor Merrill how they
were situated. Can you tell us of any one
who would be willing to come aud help US
awhile p sn
I fear it will be difficult matter to get
any one,' returned the doctor. Scarlet
fever has been so fatal Of late that it is as
much dreaded as smallpox. You should
not have told Bessie the name Of the dis
ease, Mr.. Markham
L 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 out
for number one,' said the doctor. good ma
turedly, and quite unconscious that he was
treading on delicate ground. I will make
inquiries, and see what can do for you,'
he added, as he took leave. promising to
see his patient again in the course of the
day. 4 H. ~
I think he will find some one,' said Mr..
Markham, hopefully Everybody cannot
be afraid of scarlet fever and for to-day I
can remain at home without serious incon-
venience, and will do my best to help you.
What shall I do first p
"You had better stay with Julia, I think
answered Mrs. Markham, little doubt
fully, for she had not much confidence in
her hunband's skill as nurse, and still
less in his capacity for being useful in the
kitchen
The day wore slowly away The child
continued very i'll, and, after doing what
was absolutely necessary for the comfort of
the family, the mother returned to the sick.
room, and devoted herself to the little suf-
ferer, while Mr.. Markham took charge of
Robbie, who was lonely and fretful without
his usual playmate.
The doctors second visit brought o re-
lief He shook his head gravely as he look.
ed at bis patient, and made no direct reply
to the anxious inquiries of the parents and
his efforts to procure help had been entirely
unsuccessful. -ss-
: And another weary night passed. The
little girl moaned piteously ifher mother at
tempted to leave her, and after one of two
efforts to take his wife's place, Mr.. Markham
went to the kitchen to prepare the break
fast This was for him, no easy task, for
he was totally inexperienced in such mat
tiers.
I must do my BEST he said to himself.
i can at least make q cup Of tea or coffee,
and Robbie can have bread and milk. But
what puzzles me most is to know how we
are to get along through the day. I must
60 to the city, or my business will suffer
materially and yet how can T leave my wife
and children alone?''
His disturbed reflections were interrupted
by knock at the door
THE milkman. I suppose ? he exclaimed.
4 wonder how much l am to take Per.
haps he knows the usual quantity
1t was not. however, the milkman who
stood before him, as he opened the door, but
pleasant looking, somewhat elderly wo-
map, who, with kindly 'Good.morning,'
added:
This is Mr.. Markham, I believe 2
The gentleman bowed his assent, and she
continued
L am your neighbor, Mrs. Lawson, Mr..
Markham. You must excuse my early call,
but have heard from Mrs. Bates, who has
sometimes washed for you, that your little
girl is very i'll with scarlet fever, and know
ing how difficult it is to get assistance at
such times, I came to ask if 7 can be useful
to you in any way9'
we are, indeed, sadly in need Of helps
returned Mr.. Markham, opening the sitting
room door, and cordially inviting the vel
come visitor to enter; but I had not
thought Of troubling our neighbors. Our
girl left as soon as she heard the word 'soar.
let fever,' and We have not been able to find
any one to assist Us. I stayed from busi-
ness yesterday, and helped my wife in the
sick-room. so that she got little time to
attend to household matters but, this morn
ing, poor little Julia is unwilling to have
her mother leave her for moment
Poor child 7 said Mrs. Lawson Z; it is a
dreadful disease! I had it in my family q
year ago, and very hard time we had ;
but, thank God, no one was taken from us.
And now I have taken off my bonnet and
shawl, and am quite ready to begin work,
Mr. Markham. What shall do first? Have
you had breakfast2
We'll, to say the trath,' was the some.
what confused reply, I was just attempting
to prepare it; but am certainly not much
experienced in such matters.
OF course not. [ will relieve you from
that duty. This is the kitchen, suppose 2
and, in another moment, Mrs. Lawson was
actively preparing substantial breakfast,
which, with some help from Mr.. Markham
in telling her where things we're kept was
soon ready for the table, while little wal
ter stood neatly arranged for taking a Tempt
ing little morning meal to the weary moth
er, who was still watching by the sick bed.
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