The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1871-06-15


solndness and health, aud to his helpless
family. Friend ofthe friendless, have COM
passion upon thy unworthy petitioner
Give her succour, in this her hour of
distress, and give her little ones bread.
Drive sickness aud distress, haggard want
and gnawiug hunger from her door. -.
Here the physician, wl,u had wai,ed
patiently ior the conclusion of her
prayer, finding it protracled entered the
room aud interrupted her She arose
from her supplicating posture. seated
herself by the bedside, buried her face
IN her han lkerehiet, aad wept bitterly.
The Doctor was almost oyerpowered by
his emotions, but presently recovering
himself he spoke kindly to her aud en-.
deavored to console her and assuage her
grief lie then examined the wrctched
mau, twho WAS rolling from side to side
OF his bed, in deliriupu) for the purpose
ol ascertaining the nature of his mal.dy,
aud immediately pronounced il to be
case Of that most loathsomc of all dis
eases, the small po !
At this announcement Julia blancled
with terror She thought not of her
self, but of her children-what if then
should fall victims, also to this terrible
disease Bnt suddenly recolleetiug that
both herself and children had been vac
cinated, she eagerly inquired Of the
Doctor if vaccination afforded any sceu.
rity against the disease? The Doctor
assured her that it did, and that where
vaccination had been effcctually per
formed, there was not the slightest dan.
ger Of taking this dreaded complaint.
This assurance seemed to give much
relief to her mind, and to calm her fears.
After talking awhile with her, the Doc
tor gave her some medicine for her
husband, with directions for using it.
aud prepared to depart.
AS he crossed the room towards the
door, his ears caught the incoherent
mutterings OF his wrctehed patient He
paused aud listened. Again the suf.
serer spoke, but his broken and half.
articulated sentences could not be ec.
tirely understood. The physician stood
fixed to the spot like statue, scarcely
breathing, that his ears might catch the
faintcst whisper Of the wrelched object
before him, in whom he seemed TO feel
deeper interest lie heard, or thought
he heard, certain cabilistic words, that
no Odd Fellow can hear unmovcd i
lie drew nearer, and approaching the
bedside of the almost dying man, ben,
over thc wretched sufferer, aud listened,
to assure himself that lie was not mis-
taken, and heard him distinctly utter
broken and disconnected though they
were, words which could be spoken and
understood only by an Odd Fellow
Julia heard the same words, but regard.
ed them only as the incohercnt and un
meaning language Of a delirious man.
The Doctor, however, who was member
ofthe Order understoodan tehthcir i'm
port They assured him thatthe sufferer
was brother, to whom be was bound by
ties us strong as those Of blood aud kin.
dred lie gazed intently for moment
upon the wretched object before him,
for whom fresh and more powerful
interest seemed to be awakened in his
breast; then turning to his wife he re
marked, in kind and earnest toue--
3" Madam, all that human agency can
do for the relief Of your husband shall
be done. The loathsome character OF
his disease will deter Sodr neighbors
from coming 10 your relief, but l will i'm
mediately procure male nurse for him,
aud to night yon must take some rest, for
you need repose after Watching alone
night after night, :, at the couch Of your snf
cring husband understand all, To NOR
row | will be early to see you, and be free
to make known your desires, they shall
all be gratificd." SO saying, he feel
ingly pressed her hand aud babe hcl
adicu. Julia expressed her deep senss
Of gratitude for his kindness, while her
overhowing heart, after the Doctor hat
departed, rendered grateful homage tt
God, that her prayers had been au
swercd. That night the attendant came
MS the physician had promised, ant
Juiia enjoyed refreshing sleep.
ln the morning the physician wa,
early at the sick mans chamber, hil
servant by his side, with provisions
for the family. To julia he tenderet
purse sufficient for her present ncces
sities, with promise of more. Aitcl
examining his patient, and finding hin
as well as could have been expected
under the circumstances, he departed
assuring his wife that he would Civ,
her husband ovory attention.
At the next Lodge meeting the Doc
rlaid the whole circumstance before hi:
brethren, aud SO touching was his story