The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1874-11-07

from let black eyebrows, ana pcoPlo o"'
tina, when the doctor got ruled those sl'. ~
snapped and glared giving the person "" r'
met his dIspleasurc some insight iI'o ,h
character of the man they had 10 ue"! ".,.
hovs ." he turned to Mckenzie and call TO
a drink when his eye caught sight OF the tal
figure by the stove, ana men CANT WY
Jake Morse, how are you?'
The same low, sweet voice answered, III
rate Doc. how are you? Come, get near tn
stove and put some warmth into your bones
Who ia sick in town. It's bad night TO
even doctor to be out
The doctor made his way TO the stove, ant
as he did so said
"Well, will tell you something that WI!
surprise you and every one else on haDpi
Creek" ,
The crowds which were scattered IN diner
ent parts of the large rooms, engaged IN play
ing cards or in talking over the last new!
from Frisco, gathered around the Goctoi, o.
neglected their occupation to hear what ,h'
doctor had to say, for a surprise at hapD'
Creek was a novelty. Mckenzie handed lht
doctor his drink, and as he stood with Tue
steaming glass in his hand, he SAID IN u 10"
voice:
Nancy Jones ha, got baby"
For moment everything was as quiG' ~
the grave; the only sound was the clIch, c,ieh
of the spoon as the doctor slowly S''F'eu "i
the contents Of the glass. 49,, ;
! 1t was only for moment, ana lhch JUMP
ed IN Pat Moran, little red whshercu irlsh
man who had a face in which humor and
GOOD nature was the chief characteristic, and
noted as being the noisest AID smallest man
in the camp. Getting on one OF the many
tables he. in loud voice, called for Three
cheers for Nancy Jones bahy!" lheh, AS II
every mans life depended upon 1t, they one
and all gave three such cheers as would have
frightened a civilized being out of his wits
Then followed a scene of confusion. All
manner of questions were poured IN upon the
moor doctor. "What was it--a boy or glrl?'
and Pat Moran says-"If it's boy, docthor,
ldarlint, call 1t after me" The doctor stated
that il, was girl, and very fine one. Al
! this information Pat Moran expressed his
disgust to the effect that he had the devils
own luck" and that "hc should niver rest in
his grave till he stud godfather to baby,
tor sure it was next thing to being the father
of one"
Then followed propositions to drink the
health Of the mother and child, which were
checked by the doctor, who, after continued
efforts, made himself heard. Pat Moran,
equal to the occasion, took the top II his Ia
vorite table, and yelled: whist! yc diyils!
an sure the Doc wishes to address yeeS on
the topic of the day"
Then DR.. Holmes said
Boys, | am sorry to destroy all your pleas
ure, but have seen tonight down at the Log
House which has made me, doctor rs | am,
and used to sorrow and suffering shed tears,
1t is with great pain | tell you that Nancy
ZONES and her habv must lien
AS the doctor said this, low hum passed
around the room, and one could sec The gruti
and rugged faces of those men change color
and grow pale, while their hands ccnChed
to prevent the feelings they wished to conceal.
Then Jake Morse SAID, in low voice:
doc, what's the matter? Can't you save
one Of them Can we do anything? don't
think there is a man in the room that would
not risk his life to do the poor woman and
her child service"
And from many bearded mouth came
words which, if not elegant, were torciblc, of
their will to do all and everything to save the
mother and her child.
The doctor looked around for 4 moment,
and then said;
Boys, you know, as well as |, that Nancy
Jones is what is called fallen woman-and
she is beyond the pale Of respectabii,y; but
you will not contradict me when | say that if
one of you were sick, and needed some one to
watch by your sick bed, she would be the
first to offer her services You all remember
when Bill Childs lay dying at Sawpit Flat
how she nurSed him tor weeks, and when at
last death came, she closed his eyes, and
wrote to his friends, telling them Of poor
Bil's fatc?"
"You bet shc did - came from many
mouth.
Morse stood at tlse bar NOta feature NOV.
Cd His hand trembed where it rested, but
his voice came calm and low as he said
Doc, can any OF Us ,so anything to assist
you:'
II will tell you, boys" said the doctor;
''thc poor woman is worn out with suffering,
and her child lies dying by her size, and the
mother IS unable to nOurish it. II there is
one III you who dare, for their sakcs, go to
Port Wine and get some milk, we may save
the lii" of Nancy Jones baby"
Morse SAID at once, Il will go, Doc, and if
fall and Nancy lives, tell her Jake Morse
risked his life to save her child" Then
turning to enc OF the men, lie SAID, Charley,
will you lena me your snow shoes
In II moment all was confusion; the men
rushed about like mad. Mckenzie busted
himself putting up flask OF his best brandy
for use, shonId Morse require it.
The arrangements were completed, and out
into the street went the crowd. The houses
were white with snow the wind came tear
ing down the hill, dashing the falling flakes
into their faces, cutting and binding them.
Morse strapped on the huge shoes, then stood
erect, saying:
Boys, if don't get back, send my things
to my mothcr-Mckinzi knows her address,
and now here rOcS"
Brave heart! tod, in his goodness, will
not fail to watch your lonely path. His eyes
are on you, 80 breast and fear nor
The men went back to the saloon, glad to
return to ITS shelter and warmth, Their glasses
were -etilled and silent prayers were offered
for Jake's return.
The doctor said: 1T Jake docs not return
in four hours, 90 out and meet him" And
then, filling his flask, started on hts way 10
visit the woman and her child.
With his hat pulled over his eyes, and his
face closely mutiled he went out into the
storm After plodding some time in the
! Il