The Democratic advocate., 1873-11-08

This is looking out for number one
with vengeance" muttered the discom.
fted master, as he turned from the kitchen
and went reluctantly to tell his wife Of
this new misfortune.
In another hour Bessie was gone.
We must make the best Of it." re-
marked Mrs. Markham. aWe can get
along very well tonight, and tomorrow
will send for Mrs Bates, who sometimes
washes for us. She viii help us for day
or two, until we can iind.some one to take
Bessie's place | should not like 10 have
a stranger in the house Just now. Per
haps Doctor Merrill knows of some suita-
bic person"
Morning brought no relief, either to the
sick child or the anxious parents. The
fearful disease was making rapid progress,
and it was very evident the case was an
extremely critical one.
Weary with watching and anxiety, Mrs.
Markham sent, at an early hour, for Mrs.
Bates but received for answer that she
could not think Of coming where there
was scarlet fever, and would not even be
willing to have the clothes brought to the
house, lest her own little girl should take
the disease.
What can We do, dOctor?" asked Mr..
Markham, as he told Doctor Merrill how
they were situated. "Can you tell us Of
anyone who would be willing to come and
help us for awhile ?"
fear it will be difficult matter to
get anyone" returned the doctor. 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 dis
ease, Mr.. Markham"
| did not suppose anyone would be so
selfish as to 90 off in that manner, when
there was sickness in the house." replied
Mr.. Markham Indignantly.
"0h, as for that, people always look out
for number one" said the doctor, good
naturedly, and quite unconscious that he
was treading on delicate ground. Il will
make inquiries, and see what | can do for
you" he added, as he took leave, promis-
ing to see his patient again in the course
of the day.
L think he will find some one" said
Mr. Markham, hopefully. Everybody
cannot be afraid of scarlet fever; and for
to-day | can remain at home without sc.
rious inconvenience, aud will do my best
to help you. What shall do first ?"
You had better stay with Julia, l
think, answered Mrs Markham, a little
doubtfully, for she had not much conf
dence in her husbands skill us a nurse,
and still less in his capacity for being use
full 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
sick-room, and devoted herself to the little
sufferer, while Mr.. Markham took charge
of Robbie, who was lonely and fretful
without his usual playmate.
The doctors second visit brought no
relief He shook his head grayely as he
looked at his patient, and made no direct
reply to the anxious inquiries of the par
ents and his efforts to procure help had
L. i
oeeh enslreiy unsnccesslul' -, -,
girl moaned piteously if her mother at
tempted to leave her, and after one or two
efforts to take his wife's place, Mr., Mark
ham went to the kitchen to prepare the
breakfast This was, for him, no easy
'as1' lor ne was 'o'aily inexperienced In
sueil matters,
70 ! must 40 my pest, he said to him.
sei,' can ~ isast make cup ot tea or
coneei anu hoDpie can nave Dread and
mix hlik. nut what puzzles me most is to
Ano" now We are 70 get along through the
cl'y' lor my business wili suffer materially
ana yo' now can 1 leave my wife and
chiluren IS alone :
iis disturbed reflections were interrupt
'eu Dy knock at inc door, :.
Inc mllkman, L suppose he ex-
eiaiineu' wonder now much L am to
'aAo rerhaps ne knows the usual
quantity
III was not, however, the mllkman who
stood before him, as he opened the door,
woman, who, with kindly "Good-morn-
ing, added
~, Ihis is Mr. Markham, l believer
ms gentleman bowed his assent, and
she continued;
am your neighbor Mrs. Lawson,
Mr.. Markham. You must excuse my
early call but | have heard by Mrs.
Bates, who has sometimes washed for you,
that your little girl IS very III with scarlet
lever, and, knowing how diiicult it is to
get assistance at such times, came to ask
| can be useful to you in any way?S
We are, indeed, sadly in need Of
help, replied Mr.. Markham, opening the
slttlns,,room door, and cordially inviting
the welcome visitor to enter; "but | had
no thought OF troubling our neighbors.
Our girl lett as soon as she heard the word
scarlet fever, and we have not been able
to ma anyone 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 matters, but, this
U NNaaa IL I..N~