The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1872-11-22
conscious Of what is passing around

go Immediately"
"And what does the doctor say i
la!ling Miss Julia, sir?'' asked Bes
sic, the maid -of-all-work, as Mr.
Markham came into the kitchen
soon after the doctor had made his
visit.
"Scarlet fever of the very worst
description" was the desponding re
Iply. "Mrs. Markham cannot leave
her for an instant, Bessie, and We
shall depend upon you to see that
Everything is attended to about the
house; and please keep Robbie from
the sick-room as much as possible
Poor little fellow! / fear we shall
not be able to prevent his taking the
disease"
"Indade, an 1 am very sorry for
We, sir; but 1 must be after leaving.
Ny month was up yesterday"
"But, surely, Bessie" exclaimed
the indignant gentleman, "You
would not be so cruel or selfish as to
leave us, now that we are in such
trouble2"
SIT is not cruel and selfish that
am, sir. 1 am very sorry for ye all,
but indade an Pm afraid of the ia
yer. 1 must leave this very evening" "
Expostulation, persuasion and
bribery were alike useless. Bessie's
only reply to Mr.. Markham's remon-
strances was that she must take care
| of herself"
"This is looking out for number
one with vengeance" muttered the
discomfitted master, as he turned
from the kitchen and went reluctant
antly to tell his wife of the new mis-
fortune.
In another hour Bessie was gone.
"We must make the best Of it,1
said Mrs. Markham. We can get
along very well tonight, aud to NOR
row 1 will send for Mrs. Bates, who
sometimes washes for us. She will
help us for q day or two until we can
find some one to take Bessie's place
l should not like to have a stranger
in the house just now. Perhaps DR..
Merrill knows of some suitable per-
son."
Morning brought no relief, either
to the sick child or the anxious par
ents. The fearful disease was max
ing fearful progress, and it was an
extremely critical case.
Weary with watching and ankle
| ty, Mrs. Markham sent at an early
hour for Mrs. Bates; but received for
an answer that she could not think
of coming where there was scarlet
fever, and would not be willing to
have the clothes brought, lest her
own little girl should take the dis
ease.
aWhat can we do, doctorY asked
Mr.. Markham, as he told DR.. Merrill
how they were situated. "Can you
tell us of any one who would be
willing to come and help US awhile?"
81 fear it will be a difficult matter
to get any one" returned the doc
tor 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 disease,
Mr.. Markham"
81 did not suppose any one would
be so selfish as to go off in that mat
ner when there was sickness in the
house." replied Mr.. Markham, indig-
nsntly.
"Oh, as to that, people always
look out for number one," said the
doctor, good naturedly, and quite
unconscious that he was treading on
delicate ground. 81 will make in
quiries and see what can be done for
you," he added, as he took leave,
promising to see his patient again in
the course Of the day.
81 think he will find some one"
said Mr.. Markham, hopefully. CIV
erybody cannot be afraid of scarlet
fever; and for one day I can remain
at home without serious cinonven-
fence, and will do my best to assist
you. What shall 1 do first?"
''You had better stay with Julia, l
think" answered Mrs. Markham, a
little doubtfully, for she had not
much confidence in her husbands
skill as a 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 little suffer
er, while Mr.. Markham took charge
of Robbie, who was lonely and fret
full without his usual playmate.
The doctors second visit brought
no relief. He shook his head grave
ly as he looked at his patient, and
made no direct reply to the anxious
ef the parents, and his eff
forts IL procure help had been entire
ly unsuccessful.
And another weary night passed.
The little girl moaned piteously If
her mother attempted to leave her,
and after one or two efforts to take
his wife's place, Mr.. Markham went
to the kitchen to prepare the break
fast. This was to bim no easy task,
for he was totally inexperienced in
such matters.
81 must do my best" said he to
himself. 81 can at least make 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. must
90 to the city or my business will
suffer materially, and yet how can /
leave my wife and children alOneP'
''The milkman, l suppose!p he
exclaimed. 81 wonder how much l
am to take? Perhaps he knows the
usual quantity"
1t vas not, however, the mhkman
who stood before him, as he opened
the door, but a pleasant looking,
somewhat elderly woman, who, with
a kindly "good morning." added;
'This is Mr.. Markham, | believer
The gentleman bowed his assent,
and she continued:
Il am your neighbor, Mrs. Law
son, Mr.. Markham. You must ex-
cuse my early call, but I have heard
from Mrs. Bates, who sometimes
washes for you, that your little girl
is very i'll with the scarlet fever, and