The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1873-10-29

the indignant gentleman, "you would
not be so rude and selfish as to leave
us, now that we are in such trouble?''
at is not cruel and selfish that !
am, sir. l am very sorry for We all,
but indade an / am afraid O. the fe-
yer. | must leave this very evening"
Expostulation, pursuasion and bri-
berry were alike useless. Bessie's on
ly reply to Mr.. Markham's remon-
, strances was that she 'must take care
; of herself"
"This is looking out for number one
with vengeance" muttered the dis
comfitted master, as he turned from the
kitchen and went reluctantly to tell
his wife of this new misfortune.
In another hour Bessie was gone
eve must make the best of it" re-
marked Mrs. Markham I'VE can
get along very well tonight, and to-
morrow / will send for Mrs. Bates,
who sometimes washes for Us. She
will help US for day or two, until we
can find some one to take Bessie g
place. / should not like to have q
stranger in the house just now Per
haps Doctor Merrill knows of some
suitable person"
Morning brought no relief, either
to the sick child or the anxious pa.
rents. The fearful disease was making
rapid progress, and it was very evil
dent the case was an extremely criti.
cal one.
Weary with watching and anxiety,
Mrs. Markham sent, at an early hour,
for Mrs. Bates; but received for. an
swer that she could not think of COM
ing 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 dig
ease
what can we do, doctor ?" asked
Mr. Markham, as he told Doctor Mer-
rill how they were situated. "Can
you tell us of any one who would be
willing to come and help us for
awhile ?"
II fear it will be difficult matter
to get any one" returned the doctor
Scarlet fever has been SO fatal of
late that it is as much dreaded as the
smallpox. You should not have told
Bessie the name of the disease, Mr..
Markham
81 did not suppose that any one
would be so selfish as to go off in that
manner, when there was sickness in
the house." replied Mr.. Markham in
dign lntly.
"Oh, as for that, people always
look out for number one," said the
doctor, good naturcdly, and quite un-
conscious that he was treading on del
ica.c ground. al will make inquiries
and see what | can do for you," he
added, as he took leave, promising to
see his patient again in the course of
the day.
II think he will find some one, "
said Mr.. Markham, hopefully Every
body cannot be afraid of scarlet fever;
and for to-day can remain at home
without serious Inconvenience, and
will do my best to help you. What
shall | do first ?"
"Iou had better stay with Julia,
| think" answered Mrs. Markham, a
little doubtfully, for she had not much
confidence in her husbands skill as n
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 do
ing 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 gravely
as he looked at his patient, and made
no direct reply to the anxious inquir-
les of the parents; and his efforts to
procure help had been entirely unsuc-
cessful.
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" he said to
himself, 81 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 to
get along through the dav. | must
go to The city or my business will suf-
fer materially; and yet how can
leave my wife and children alone ?"
His disturbed reflections were in
terrupted by knock at the door.
"The milkman, suppose" he ex-
claimed 81 wonder how much | am
to take? Perhaps he knows the u.s.
ual quantity"
1t was not, however, the milkm an
who stood befor him, as he opened
the door. but pleasant-looking, some
what elderly woman, who, with
kindly Good morning." added:
This is Mr.. Markham, believer"
This gentleman bowed his asse mt,
and she continued:
II am your neighbor, Mrs. Lawson,
Mr.. Markham. You must excuse my
early call; but l have heard from
Mrs. Bates, who has sometimes wash
ed for you, that your little girl is very
i'll with scarlet fever, and knowing
how difficult it is to get assistance at
such times, l 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 welcome visitor to enter
"but l had no thought Of troubling
our neighbors Our girl left as soon
as she heard the word scarlet fever,r
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
little time to attend to household
matters; but, this morning, poor little
Julia is unwilling to have her mother
leave her for q moment ,,