The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1873-07-01
Gbe Grinres, Nsp BLOOMFIELD, 11a.

uncle's Injuries. lie informed her That
though they were severe, from what he
could learn they were far from being con-
sidered fatal. This was great relief to
her, for shehad anticipated the worst.
On reaching the house, she found that
her uncle was suffering from compound
fracture of one of his limbs, and from other
injuries received at the time of the col
lision. He had received all the care and
attention that the most eminent of the
medical and surgical profession could rem
der, one of whom was then present. Clara's
first impulse was to visit her uncle, but the
physician informed her that he had just
administered an opiate, and that it was
absolutely necessary he should remain un-
disturbed. He did not make known that
the patient just then was laboring under a
high fever, and that his wandering mind
rendered him incapable of recognizing
those around him.
AS there was really nothing then requir-
ing Clara's services, she was recommended
by the physician to seek that rest so much
required before she took her place as nurse
by her uncle's bedside, as it was her ex-
pressed determination to do. Rest she
indeed required. For the last four or five
days she had been, with brief intermissions,
travelling in the cars; she had passed
through the horrors and excitement of a
railway disaster, and for the two previous
nights she had been able to obtain but
little if any sleep. Nature demanded re-
pose, and although she fain would have
resisted, she was reluctantly compelled to
yield to it, ,......f
When Clara the next morning visited the
patients bedside, she could hardly recog-
nize in the haggard fever-stricken face that
she gazed upon, the pleasant features of
one from whom sheihad but recently part
ed. The PROSTATE helpless form, the ban
daged head the wild and vacant look,
presented alspectacle that brought tears to
her eyes. f.gI .s
But she was not one to permit feeling to
incapacitate her for the duty in hand. At
the time of the disaster, she had won by
her GOODNESS the favorable notice of Pea
body amid scenes calculated to try the
stontest nerves, and now, as then, she ex-
hibited the same traits. Suppressing all
signs of outward em otion, she at once gave
her attention to the duties of the sick
chamber. Forsthese one had been engaged;
but Clara we'll knew that there were mani
fold trifling services, so grateful to the
patient, that affection would be prompt to
render, but which a professional nurse
would be very likely to overlook.
The housekeeper that morning had in-
formed her that her uncle's watch was not
to be found when he was brought home,
and his condition was such she could not
question him in regard to it. knowing
what Miss Weston did, it may well be sup
posed that the fact she had learned was of
peculiar interest.
All through the day, burdened as it was
with other matters, the subject of the miss
ing watch was constantly recurring to her
mind On one occasion in particular, it
was pressed upon her attention with re-
doubled force. Frequently in mis- delirium
Mr.. Winthrop would indulge in a rambling
incoherent discourse, principally relating
to business matters. On one occasion he
seemed to be holding discussion on some
branch Of political economy with fellow
merchant, in the course of which he re-
marked, with good deal of animation:
" You very well know my friend, that If
you would find the absolute strength of
cable, you must seek for it in the weakest
link. Now, then, the excess of our i'm
portations over expectations, and the pla-
cling of our bonds abroad, form the weak
link in our chain, as will be demonstrated
to our sorrow when the test is applied.
But, bless me, l shall lose tile train p'-
What's the time My watch is gonel
g The last sentence sounded in Clara's
ears with startling emphasis" Ny ,oatch
IS gone" How gone? Into whose hands
had it fallen? OF that she had but little
doubt. How came he by it? This question
staggered her. If she could but fix for
moment the wandering mind of her uncle
to the subject-could elicit the slightest
information that would afford cew by
which she could unravel the mystery in
which the missing watch was involved, the
perplexing doubts that now agitated her
would, one way or the other, be set at rest,
to the great relief Of her mind. Acting ON
the thought, she went to the bedside and
said: alal" fh ~
"What has become of your watch,
uncle? ?" ai
There was a momentary CLEAN of sanity