Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-01-15
WHAT JESSIE CORTRELL DID.

Poor little Johnny COrtrell's eyes kept
growing DINNER; and one day in May
time they failed altogether, and JESSIE,
his sister, led him home from school
stone blind.
His father and mother were greatly dis
tressed at this Dr. James held a candle
to the poor blind eyes; but they never
blinked. He said he was not enough of
an Oculist to determine whether they
could be cured; but there was doctor in
Boston-Dr. Williamson, SO Blank
street-who would be able to pronounce
with certainty.
Now, the Cottrells lived thirty.five
miles away from Boston, and were quite
poor. The flther did not see how he
could afford the expense of sending
johnny to Boston yet awhile, but hoped
to do it in the autumn.
Little Jessie overheard her parents
talking on the subject, and made up her
mind to try and see what she could do.
She thought she could not wait three,
four, or five months, 70 have Johnny
cured: it ought to be done at once.
The next day she told her plan to John
ny, and they made their preparations /;
and one bright morning, when it was
schooltime, she and Johnny stole out of
the house hand in hand, quite unnoticed
by any one.
They met a little girl named Jane An
derson; and by her Jessie sent the follow
ing letter to her PARENTS
DEAR FATHER AND MOTHER, i didn't ask you,
for fear you would say No; but Johnny and are
going TO Boston to see DR.. Williamson. l heard
all the reasons why you couldn't take Johnny till
fall, and couldn't wait. 'Twon't hurt us to walk
this nice spring weather; and l don't think any
one will refuse to give poor blind boy and his
sister place to sleer, bowl of bread and milk
to eat. We shall ask our road, and we won't get
lost. Our Father in heaven viii go with all the
way.
Mr.. Cortrell was much alarmed. 81
must start after them, wife," said he
"ThOse children on the road to Boston all
alone! Jessie is crazy"
But Mrs. COrtrell said: "What if God
| put it into her heart, John?' And SO
| they concluded to do nothing about it.
Well, the children walked and walked
and now and then they got drive; and
on the third morning, Jessie led Johnny
into Boston over the Brighton road
They found DR.. Williamson. He re-
| ceiyed them kindly. He examined
| JOhnny's eyes, and then said to Jessie
81 think there are nine chances in ten
| that L can cure your brother"
Jessie bounded with Joy. The good
| doctor accommodated them in his own
house while the cure was going on; and
after not many days he sent the children
| home in the cars, and as he left them,
placed a sealed envelope in the hand of
| jessie
my bill for your father: there is no
haste about it," said he kindly; and then
he babe them good-by.
The journey was short one. Happy
enough were the parents to see their dear
| children back again, and Johnny quite
| cured of his blindness.
Then Jessie handed her father the bill.
"Whatever it is, l shall pay it cheerfully,' -
said he. He opened it, and read
For services rendered Johnny and Jessie Cor
trell. Received paymentin full,
CHARLES WILLIAMSON"
So Johnny got his eyes again, and the
doctors bill was settled; and Jessie had
done it all.-Bed-Tinae Stories, by Louise
Chandler MOuEt0n.