South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1874-02-13
The Doctors Last Shot.

ing very comfortable afternoon together
Mrs SMITH, who was an invalid, or thought
herself one, which is Just as bad, was re.
clining 10 an easy-chair, and Mrs. BnowN,
who had run 10 with her knitting work lust
to see how she was, and had to De persuad
ed to spend the rest of the day with her
friend
Yes, Mrs. BRowN, | consider it provi
dental. That poor niece of mine was left
an orphan on the cold charities Of the
world, and as [ was the only friend she had
she came right here, of course. Well here
| am IN such delicate health, needing con
slant attention, aud | could not expect my
own girls, poor dears, TO be fussing around
their sick mother all the time. | want
them to enjoy themselves Will, they can.
This poor thing needed n home and gave
1t to her at once. said, 'of course, child
come right here, aud live with us You
can make yourself useful, no doubt, ard
it'll be all right Shes been here six
months now, and has been wonderful
help to me. keep her busy from day
light until dark, to keep her mind off her
troubles, you know, AMI nights when ! can't
| sleep it's dreadful handy to have r where
she can rub ny back, my feet, battle my
head, aud read me to sleep
do you pay her wages p
Bless me, mo- She said something a
bout it one day as If she expected to be
paid for her work, but told her we coulI
not think of hiring eur own blood relations
to work for US. | told her TO just be easy
about that, whenever she needed anything
we'd see about il. she gave u Kind Of a
queer smile that | didu't qri,e understand
or like ; but, on the whole, she is wonder
fully quiet and gen,lc-like and consider it
n real Providence.'
where is she 2
sent her down to the back pasture to
get some black berries for my teal
thought may be I'd relish them if they
were fresh
DOWN in tho back pasture size was, the
poor niece, META LANGDoN, but not pick
ing black berries. she was sitting on
messy log among the bushes, crying as if
her heart would break 1t did her good :;
1t cocled the fierce fever IN her heart, and
she finally grew quiet, aud slipped sof.ly
down upon her knees and prayed long and
earnestly for patience and wisdom AMI hclp
from her Heavenly Father. Then she
caught up her pail and rose to commence
her task. But 1t so happened that Doctor
CHEsTEE, who was spending a few weeks
IN that delightful country place, was out
hunting that day. fine, plump PARTRIDGE
flew up from the bushes Just at that mo.
ment, and the doctor fired. To his aston
lshment the bird escaped, hut shrill
scream and heavy fell beyond the bushes
made him throw down bis gun and bag and
rush furiously through the sharp briars
never needing the reots they made in his
lne hunting suit or the cruel scratches up
on his face and hands
There lay the game ne had brought down
10 the shape of young girl, who was in a
dead faint, or killed, for aught he knew.
lie quickly l)osened her dress aud dashed
water in her face from the toll canteen
which he happened to have, and finally for.
ced few drops Of brandy between her lips.
Vt length she opened her eyes, to his great
relief, and tried to rise, but = sharp cry of
pam showed there was something more &C.
nous than q mere fright
wv hat IS II, where are you hurt p
My arm, she cxcltimoI
lie tore the faded calico sleeve open 10
the shoulder, and sure enough her arm wa.
covered with blood, aud seemed to be rid
died with shot.
Dear, dear, what have done " he OK
claimed, hastily tying bis own and her
handkerchief tightly around IT, There's
10 time for apologies or explanations. /
thought / was shooting pa7triIse, aud i'm
some unacc1ua'able way have Shot YOU.
Now tell me where you live, so ! can got
you home as soon as possible. I am n
physlciao, lud $50 II soon have Tie poor arm
all right again
Ny home IS iust over the hHl:T can
walk u you Will help me % lilc' with "a
set, reso,u'o face, aud lips lightly closed.
10 keep back tbe means of pain. Mrrk
walked hastily toTard7 home, Ieariuy uua0
his arm But just as they raacled tbe cote
she tainted again, aud taking her 30 his
arms he bore Der rapidly 90 90 house, aod
without any ceremony, pushed open the
pariur door aud laid Ler upon a soh.
Ars. SMITH screamed murder at the ton
OF her voice, and went into violent hvs'cr.
lee. The doctor fr0wucl scornfulIy M her
and said TO Mrs BgowN There's no Gms
for nonsense bring me some cold water
ana baueagea ~ once, and send somebody
TO the hotel for Dr. CHgraE's small case
Of surgical Instruments.
Mrs SMITH, Ici, 10 herself soon rcc9y.
cred, and insisted upon an explanation Of
the affair
It's nothing serious, / hope. I have
accidentally sent q charge of shot into
this young iady's arm. Are you her u1-
thcr =
No, indeed, she is a poor, dependent
creature that we've taken 10 for chari,y's
sake a niece Of mine, aud what I'm t. do
with hor now ONT 500. Inan.l L.L..-..-