The Van Buren press., 1872-08-20

bIc 10 fHl NV S'ii VIZ
The card she had given me ] s,lli heiu
in nv hand, Mrs General G d. Waite. .
The name some way was familiar. ana
memory brought back to me one of my
hospital experiences, when man hy ihat
name had been dangerously Wounded
and after a tedious and irritating conra
l.scence. had only been able to move
SLOWLY around on crutches. a splendid
looking man in the prime Of life, an ex.
cellent friend. and gallant officer !
won Tered whether this WAS the same
and with curiosity under the circum'
stances pardonabls. ! proceeded to the
hotel
The very frat person my eyes rested
upon was nv friend. the General oi
Chatta, ooga, sitting with his cruiches
beside hm) on the piazza.
God bless vou my boy! said he
recognizing me In moment In the
name of a merciful Providence. where
did vou rain down fromy This is some
thing to be thankful for ST down y
moment. and tell me all about yourself
Ru. before could find voice or language,
he again INTERRUPTED "Oh. yes. am
better than ] ever expected tn he But
Caldwell. | am the most unfoi tunatc man
living. have daughter, the lovliest
creature that God ever put upon the face
of the earth, and every day can see that
she grows weaker and weaker, brought
her out here hoping a great deal from
the mounlain air, hnt she is worse than
ever have thought about yon,doctor'
time without number, and wished thai
,ou could sec her; for | remembered
your patience and skill with us poor dev
lis - and smile which had very little
heart in it play ed around his mouth, III
the recollection of his former experience
Your wife called TO see me this morn
ing, General, and il is at her request that
| an here If your daughters case has
delied the medical Of New York, rs yonl
indicates ! am fearful that
the disease is beyond my r'ach: but
however, fyou wish, ! will have an in
replied, having gathered that
there had been no lack of scientific ad'
vice or professional ability.
| had seen a good deal Of practice. to
he sure. hut cnly within the last year had
| dealt at all with women. and this. al
though pleasant, was nevertheless awful
~ puzzlng.
We found the invalid alone. Mrs
Waite having laid down. requesting to bt
called when the doctor came. My pa
ticnt was lying lslrssly on a lounge
drawn up before the open window. ap
parently wholly absorbed in the mystery
Of clouds and coloring.
Oracle, nv darling have brought q
gentleman to see YOU. said her father
tenderly bending over her
A gentleman. papa Who told yor
yoa nigh, T.. Surely ! am IN n" condi
tion to see company, ] heard her re
glv in low tones
But, Oracle, it is a very old friend o'
papss. You have heard me speak oitel
aud long of Mr.. Caldwell. the gentleman
to whom owe with Gods help) tn,
breath Of life p
"Oh, YES. papa Tell him to come in
but am so tired, and | advanced tO
the side Of the lounge
The General introduced us, and took
a seat beside her. with an earnest desire
that | might he Of some benefit TO this
afflicted family
You must excuse my not rising, Dr.
Caldwell, for | nm fearful that | am d
invalid. bat ! do hope that
YOU will never forget how grateful am
for all your Kindness to papa; ana roal'
", doctor. am quite certain that ! nev
cr have said PRAYER since his first letter
t. me for - Hospital, without asking
God to bless and keep you My poor
life would be very dcsolate without pa
pa
A scene worthy Of n Claud This
beautiful girl, with her large. dark
eyes, and Transparent complex
ion, drapery white and flowing: long,
brow, ripplv hair. thrown gently and ar
tistcaly about the pillow-the General
IT her back. tall and handsome. with an
expression of the deepest solicitude on
his glorious face The setting sun
flooded the west and throwing heavy
light upon this sweet picture, made me,
as was to scenes OF every
description. almost cry ont with syinpa'
thy and appreciat on
"You are looking at the sunset. doc
tor2'
Yes. Miss. 49,.
"What could be more beautiful? If
we're not so tired. should like to catcl
some Of those tints, said the invalid
softly.
1t was difficult to descend to symp'
toms, after so exalted mental condi
ton. but. heckoaing her father away,
msde "A few preparatory remarks, inform
ing lier THAT | wished to understand
something Of her ease, hoping that
might be OF some service to her.
She answered all my questions readil,
and without reserve, occasionally volun-
toering some little information coll'
not find the least glimmer OF light.
sa, holding the almost transparent hand
and counting the feeble pulse. when
noticed a shivpr-almost a chill--con'
vulse the dropping figure for moment
and then, with quick. nervous com
preston Of the beautiful lips, ! felt that
she had willed herself into composnre
Looking up. saw Mrs Waite standing
at the back of the lounge.
"Whv, doctor, how long have you
been here? gave express orders to ID,
awakened at the moment OF your arrival
WHY was not this attended to. Grace 2
"You must Inquire Of the person will
whom you left the command. was
4 ll.aA