Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1873-07-05
BREAD SCATTERED ON THE
WATERS.
y Charming story.

cts one O'Clock, gentlemen"
said the obsequious and weary wait
er, entering a luxurious and bril-
liantly-lighted room in fashiona-
BILE club house, where a jovial little
party of young gentlemen were as
sembled.
"What boar you are, Dennis" !"
answered Hal Burgess. ''Why
didn't you stop the clock? Are
you aware, my good fellow, that
this is my last night here for a long
time to come? Give us fresh pack
of cards to change the luck. We
must have one mere game while
you are bringing us another bottle
of Carte Blanche for a farewell
bumper. Just think" he continued
appealing to his companions around
the table, tomorrow night at this
hour shall be playing a lively game
of pitch and toss with old Neptune,
and getting badly wersted in the
encounter. Console yourselves with
that thought for my extraordinary
good fortune this evening""
Don't speak of it, Hal. We hate
to think of your going" cried sew
eral voices, in tones of genuine re-
gret, that proved what favorite he
was in that coterie of gay young
bachelors.
The card party which had just
been interrupted was the sequel of
u farewell dinner given on the occa-
sion of his departure for Europe,
where he intended to pass several
years before entering upon the prac-
tice of his profession. 1t was the
last of many similar festivities IN
which he had been leading spirit,
and, reluctant as they were that it
should come to an end, "the wee
sma' hours ayant the twal" refused
to tarry at their bidding; the last
round was finally played, and the
last merry toast proposed. Hal had
won largely, and rose cramming a
roll of bills carelessly into his
pocket, and promising his oppo-
nents their revenge when he re-
turned. Then cordial adieus were
spoken, and leaving his friends at
the door of the clubhouse, he walk
ed briskly up the avenue. At that
late hour of the night it was silent
and deserted, but, turning a corner,
he saw young girl coming hastily
from the opposite direction. The
bewildered, frightened expression
of her wan but beautiful face, re-
vealed by the gas-light near, which
they met, caused him TO stop and
eXclaim: "What is the matter? Can
do anything for you?"
81 must find a doctor; do YOU
know where there is one?" she an
swered hurriedly, with a quick
questioning glance, and reassured
| by his respectful manner.
| "Ihere Is none very near here ,
| Hal said after moments reflection
and added, from what the young
men he had just left would have
| deemed QuixOtic impulse, "but
am almost a physician myself; un
| less the case is very serious, per
hsps [ think | can attend to it."
"Ohi please come quickly then,
replied the girl, and she led tht
way rapidly past several blocks o
! stately houses to one of those pool
neighbOrhoods which are sometime.
| found crouching at the back doors
| of an aristocratic quarter.
"Who is it?" asked Hal, as, reach
ing 4 small house, she held open tn,
door for him to pass, and taking
! flickering candle from the floor
| lighted his way up two flights o
| narrow, rickety stairs.
s'My mother," she answered in
| trembling voice.
"And there was no one that yol
could call upon to help you?" b.
continued.
E'No; the people who have tn
lower room go away at night.
was obliged to leave her quit
alone"
On the bed in the room they en-
tered lay a woman apparently in
sensible, with Sickening marks o
blood about her, and crimson drop
still oozing from her lips. The cir
hasteued to her bedside in mute ter
ror at what might have happene,
during her absence; but HaPs prac
ticed eye saw that she had q dan
gerous but not fatal hemorrhagC
and could soon be restored to con
! sciousness. With a few consolin
words to the daughter, which ena
bled her to assist him, he proceede
to treat the case .aS circumstance
would permit, noting as he did S