New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-09-22

think" answered Mrs. Markham, a little
doubtfully, for she had not much conf
dence in her husbands 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
little sufferer, while Mr.. Markham took
charge of Robbie, who was lonely and
fIetful without his usual playmate.
The doctors second visit brought no re-
lief He shook his head grayely as he
looked at his patient, and made no direct
reply to the anxious inquiries OF the pa
rents, and his efforts to. procure help had
been entirely 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 breakfast, This was for him no easy
task, for he was totally inexperienced in
such matters.
II must do my best" said he to himself
| II 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 going to get along through the day /
must go to the city or my business will
suffer materially, and yet how can leave
my wife and children alone2 "
| His disturbed reflections were interrupted
by knock at the door.
'tThe milkman, | supposed" he exclaimed.
Il wonder how much | 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
woman, who, with a kindly Good morn
ing" added This is Mr.. Markham, J be-
Leve?"
The gentleman bowed his assent and she
continued:
Il am your neighbour Mrs Lawson, Mr.
Markham. You must excuse my early call,
but | have heard from Mrs. Bates, who
sometimes washes for you, that your little
girl is very i'll with the scarlet fever, and
knowing how difficult it is to get assistance
at such times, came to ask if ] could be
useful to you in any way"
1--WE are, indeed, sadly in need of help"
replied Mr.. Markham, opening the sitting
room door, and cordially inviting the visitor
to enter; "but had not thought of troubling
our neighbors. Our girl left us as soon as |
she heard the words Scarlet fever, and we |
have not been able to find any one to assist |
us. | stayed from business yesterday, and |
helped my wife in the sick room, SO that she |
got a little time to attend to household mat |
tiers; but this morning poor Julia is IN
willing to have her mother leave her for a
moment"
'Poor child" said Mrs. Lawson, "it is a
year ago, and very hard time we had;
but, thank God, no one was taken from us.
And now l have taken off my bonnet and
shawl, and am quite ready to begin work,
Mr. Markham. What shall | do first
Have you had any breakfast ?"
''Wen, to say the truth" was the some !
what confused reply, u was just attempt
ing to prepare it; but l 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 |
n telling her where things were kept, was
soon ready for the table, while a little wait
IT stood neatly arranged for taking a tempt
ng morning meal to the weary mother, who
was still watching by the sick bed.
Mrs Markham will feel better for cup
# coffee and bit of toast. viii you take
t to her, sir?" said the kindly neighbor.
and | will have it all ready for you and the
little man when you come down" +
As she spoke she stopped to give fittfe !
Robbie, who had been attentiveIy watch J
ne her, kiss, ard carefully lifting him
nto his high chair, tied on his table apron, !
which she saw hanging ready for the pure :
pose, and placed his breakfast before himo
MIS-. AldIhIldli lOOhGu up anu Hlalo q 7
ign Of silence as her husband entered tie | +
Dom with the waiter. q
'She is really sleeping quietly she wfiso
,ered, as she came forward to meet him, :
and there is moisture upon the skin. do
hInk the symptoms are more favorable. | +
Why, Harry she exclaimed, with glance g
f surprise at the waiter, "what a good =
ook you are L had no idea that you =
ould get breakfast so nicely" :
You are not indebted to Inc for 1t, rec T.
lied her husband with a smileo 1--WE had !
clip of the first quality down stairs. as
lre YOU
IL; It possible oWaat e rsiiess Did Dr..
LeBrill send herr" Q
mo, indeed She came of her own acc 0
ord. It's our neighbour Mrs. Lawson. She r
card of our situations anS came to offer p
er services" a
" And you asked hes 50 get breakfast +! tt
Thy, Harry" 81
sit is all right, 7 assure son, YttYe wife. II
he is just the kindest, most notherly sort .,
woman you ever save and takes right -
Old of the first thing she sees needs to be ! :.
one She said a cup of coffee would do !
ou good, and asked me to take it to you, | =,
Id then come tony own breakfasts She e.
rs it all ready"
Go, then, by ali means ( am sure you a.
ED it. But it does seem strange to lee =
debted to a stranger in this way re- -
led Mrs, Markham, with a sigh, as she u
osed the door gently after her husbands
Id sat down /" refresh herself tgonS the i
tile WAITER y
"And now, Mr.. Markham" said his new ! d
lend, as the gentleman finished his morn. y
g meal, and expressed his earnest thanks. /:
+ you will trust your family to my care :.
r the day, and go to your business as =
ual, will do my best to attend to them -
But, my dear madam, it seems zoo much
ask Of YOU We have no claim upon you
+ such Kindness ~
II do not see it in that Fight We ali | OF
I'VE claims upon each other for kindness I'll
ID sympathy. Ihave daughter at home OF
ho can attend to the family, SO you need Di
It hesitate to accept my Offer am very al
ad to be of use to you" I'll
Mr.. Markham thought of his 6oasted W
otto, stake care of number one." and oN
God rebuk9d in the presence of bis friendly al
ighbor. Dc
An early visi$ from the doctor and an as &c
rance that the disease was taking more ="
vorable turn, diffused a cheerful spirit "a "a
roughout the household. Mr.. Markham ~ ~
INT to his business, and Mrs Lawson, "a
ter putting the house in order and attend ! n
2 to little Robbie's wants, went in her VI
Dtherly way, to the sick room, ana quietly ~ ~
IN her way to the hearts Of both mother ~
d daughter. ="
When Mr.. Markham returned in the even sr
2, he was surprised'to find his wife await ~
: him at the supper table, and to hear her fP,a
= that Julia was quite willing to have he
g. Lawson stay with her part of the w ~
ne. =
She knows exactly what to do for the Is
or child far better than d." added the GU
ther; "and she is 50 kind that feel as if
al known her all nv life -