Eaton weekly Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1866-1875, 1872-09-26

BOOK under your pillow as O1tlgonGly as
you may feel disposed. 1t is pleasant
to know that fashionable young ladies
are possessed of such domestic and lit
erary tastes. Good morning, Miss Wat
ers."
DIR. John passed out of that abode
sick at heart.
81 came very near losing myself in
that trap. What confouuded fools men
areI'
The thought was rather humiliating,
and DR.. John was unable to shake it off
during the day; and, when he turned
his horses head homeward, it was with
a feeling of disgust and loneliness never
before experienced. s..,.s.
"Pretty much all alike, Pm afraid"
he continued softly, to himself.
Just then little figure in the middle
of the street attracted his attention.
A child, to all appearance not a day
over five years, with uplifted arms stood, !,
needless of danger, looking into his
face. Quicker than l can tell DR.. John
had jumped from his carriage, seized
the little creature, and placed her on
the seat beside him.
"You were in great danger, my dear" !"
singularly sweet and intelligent face.
"What made you stand in the middle
of the crowded street?"
care you doctor2" was the only re-
ply vouchsafed.
"By profession yes, little miss, and
by name John Hessman. Have you
any commands for his highness?"
eff you are a doctor l want you to
60 home with me, and if you are not,
please tell me where I can find one.
My sister Kate is sick-awful sick-and
she talks and sings all the time; and I
haven't got any money-neither has
she; but she will die if somebody don't
come"
"I am a doctor, and will go home
with you, little darling" said our friend,
involuntarily drawing the sobbing child
toward him. "Don't cry; L can help
her if anybody CAM
Before they arrived at the residence
of the sick girl, DIR. John had discov-
cred, by skillful questioning, that the
child's name was Florence Britton-the
sisters, Kate Britton; that Kate wrote
stories, and made rep orts, and some
times had to be out late at night taking
notes and preparing articles for the
press; that she had not been well dur
ing the winter, and for the last three
weeks had been unable to attend to her
literary duties, and was now suffering
from brain fever. The room which the
doctor entered was plainly and neat
ly furnished, and bore unmisIakable
marks of refinement and taste.
"Kate,'' said the little girl, climbing
in to the bed where her sister lay moan
ing with pain; ''sister Kate, L have
brought a doctor to see you. l found
him in the street, and he says he can
make you well. Look at him, Kate
ne is very kind"
"Cuddle right down beside me, Flory,
darling. There, that's a good little girl.
Go TO sleep; don't mind sister Kate,
she's only got head ache. Say your
prayers, Flory, say your prayers, muir
INJURED the girl, even in delirium thought
full of her precious charge.
Here was case to rouse DR.. Johns
energies-a case which appealed to his
sympathy and respect-a case, so far as
he was able to judge, of utter loneliness
and destitution. So, like the good man
he was, he sat himself to work in good
earnest. "A good nurse was procured,
necessary articles were brought into the
house, and over all he watched as ten
derly as if the sufferer had been his
own sister. The fourth day the invalid
awoke to consciousness. and looked at
DR.. John straight in the face.
"Where am I?' she asked, attempt
ing to rise.
"At home" he replied. "Please be
very quiet"
"Where is Flory?"
"Asleep by your side. Don't ask any
more questions"
'HWho are you?" she continued, ap-
parently oblivious to the command.
"John Hessman, at your service, and
at present your selfconstituted physi-
clan, who will be obeyedI Now, drink
this beef tea-take tFlory's little hand
in yours, and go to Sleep"
With sigh of relief, a smile, mo-
mentary attempt to keep her eyes open
little longer, and the invalid was
sleeping as quietly as an infant.
| Four weeks from that day, Miss Kate
Britton rode out in the doctors car
riage, almost as well as ever.
DR.. John looked unutterabie things
as he jumped into his gig and took his
seat beside her. Very like the day 9
month ago when he had something very
particular to say to himself-only now
he evidently had a communication te
make to another.
at will be safe for me to resume my
writing tomorrow, will it not, doctor?'
inquired Kate, the first to break the
silence. "I feel better and stronger to
day than l have for a year."
"No, little girl" replied the doctor
"It will not be safe for you to resume
your writing in six MONTHS
"Oh, doctor, you are only joking now
1 know you are" said Kate, noting tn
look of amusement in his expressiv
eyes.
"No, Kate, indeed 1 am not joking
You shall never go back to that drudger.
again, if can help it."
The hot blood mounted clear t
Kate's temples.
CDR. Hessman," she said, assumin
a business like manner, 'but for you
should have been in my grave"
"What imperturbability," broke il
her companion, with more truth tha
modesty.
"Well," she continued, you saved m
life, kept my darling little sister fror
starvation, and cared for US both q
though we had been your own kindred
But can l never"
"There child, stop just where you are
Never, if you have any regard for m
feelings, allow that word to slip fror
your lips. l want to take you an
Flory to my home, and make your hal
} piness my only care. In short, Kate,
4