The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1874-10-22
by CLARA AIGIt STA.

For fourteen years and upward
Ms. Maria Chesfprd had been an in
valid. Her suiierlngs had been in,
tense. No person on earth had ever
endured -fortieth part 81 much as
she had, if one could take her word
in evidence. Job, in the davs wher
his boils were Just coming to a head
knew nothing OF pain, comparativel,
speaking.
You never heard of any disease
and YOU will never hear of one, which
at some time or other had not aillict-
ed Mrs. Chesford; in fact, many OF
the new diseases which puzzle medi-
cal men to account for Mrs. Chesford
originated, and might claim II patent
for if only she would make applica-
tion.
OF course she do"tored. Every
physician for a circuit of forty miles
around had been called to attend her
at some time or other; aud if new
quack was heard of any where Mrs.
Chesford was not content until She
had made trial of his skill.
But no good ever resulted from
anything of the kind She was al
WAYS worse. and was always dying,
but somehow she never accomplished
it. And if you are an observant per-
son you have doubtless noticed that
people who are always dying live to
be ninety at least. Sick people
that is, people who are sick all their
lives, never die except from old age; !;
only your well, robust people die
early.
Mr.. Chesford was martyr. The
poor man led a terrible life of it,
though he had become in a measure
hardened t. it, and did not mind it so
very much. He was tall, lean,
sandy haired man with washedout
aspect generally. He had been So
accustomed to the thought of a death
in the family that he wore "A funeral
face continually, and might have
made fortune in some countries by
hiring out to do service as chief
mourner.
Sometimes his wife's complaints
grew so clamorous that he had to get
up in the night and go for the doctor
who would come when he got
ready, administer bread pill or two,
and take leave.
"David. David" screamed Mrs.
Chesford, one cold night in February,
Just as Mr.. Chesford had fallen asleep
and was dreaming of finding gold
mine. ''David, say. its at hand.
The great change is nigh. Oh. David.
do stop snoring and wake up. de-
believe you'd lay there and snore if
the last trumpet was footing. David.
| say, DAvid.'
"Cnph.." :" grunted Mr. Che,ford, /,
turning over on the other side. ''Do
try and lay still, Mariah, I'm awful
sleepy" and in moment he WAS
snoring again.
"Da-a- veed!" cried she, d gging
her elbows into his ribs i'll way MOI
to be borne, 81 tell you I'm a dying.
I'm growing cold now. Ny feet are
like ice, and if there was light you'd
see that my finger nails have turned
PURPLE
"Eh? well, go to sleep. you'll be
better in the morning. said the un-
feeling David.
81 won't go to sleep! I'm a-dy ing!
David ! want to tell you my last
wishes. Lay me out in my black
silk dress, and don't let them put any
camfre on me. | hate the smell of
camfre! And, David, don't have
any cents on my eyes-if you must
put on anything put on silver dollars.
And now, David, | want to see Aunt
jenkins. | have something to say to
her. Go as quick as you can or I'll
be dead before she gets here"
David attempted to put her of
with excuses, but she would not be
denied, and the poor man was under
the necessity of doing her bidding
1t was biting cold night, and Mr.
Chesford was not in extraordinary
good humor at being forced out of I
warm bed to breast a chill north
easter. So when he reached Mrs
jenkins residence he gave thun
dering rap on the door, as if tina
obstacle to his entrance was in some