The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1874-10-15
MARVELLOUS CURE.
BY CLARA AUGUSTA.
From New York Weekly.

ANN" Win 'Nchiys
For fourteen years and upward Mrs
Maria Chesford had been an invalid. Her
sufferings had been intense. No person
on earth had ever endured one-fortieth
part SO much as she had, if one could
take her worl II cvilence. Job, in the
days when his boils were just coming to
head, knew nothing Of pain, comparatively
speaking.
You never heard of any disease, and
you will never hear of one, which at some
time or other had not afflicted Mrs. Ches-
ford in fact, many of the new diseases
which puzzle medical men to account for
Mrs Chesford originated, and might claim
patent for if only she would make ap-
plication.
OF course she doctored Every physi-
clan for circuit of forty miles around had
been called to attend her at some time or
other and if a new quack was heard of
anywhere Mrs. Chesford was not content
until she had made trial of his skill
But no good ever resulted from any
thing of the kind She was always worse
and was always dying, but somehow she
never accomplished it. And if you are
an observant person 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 terrible life of it, though he
had become in a measure hardened to it,
and did not mind it so very much. He
was tall, lean, sandy-haired man with a
washed-out aspect generally. He had
been so accustomed to the thought of a
death in the family that he wore funeral
face continually, and might have made a
fortune in some countries by hiring out to
do service as chief mourner
Sometimes his wifes 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 a
bread pill or two, and take leave.
David David 7 screamed Mrs. Ches-
ford, one cold night in February, just as
Mr. Chesford had fallen asleep and was
dreaming of finding gold mine. David,
| say it's at hand The great change is
nigh Oh, David do stop snoring and
wake up! do believe you'd lay there
and snore if the last trumpet was footing!
ravid Il say, David.
Umph | grunted Mr.. Chesford, turn
ing 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, digging her ell
bows into his ribs in way not to be
borne, II tell you I'm dying I'm grow
ing cold now My feet are like ice, and if
there was light you'd see that my finger
nails have turned purple!'
'Eh 8? well, go to sleep! you'll be better
in the morning said the unfeeling David.
81 won't go to sleep! I'm a-dying
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 camfire And, David,
don't have any cents on my eyes-if you
must put on anything put on silver dol
lars! And now, David l 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 off 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 ex-
traordinary good humor at being forced
out of a warm bed to breast chill north.
easter. So when he reached Mrs. Jenk-
ms residence he gave laundering rap
| on the door, as if that obstacle to his en-
trance was in someway guilty of causing
him this unpleasant walk.
Jenkins folks were timid, and lived
somewhat in fear of being robbed. Tom
the oldest boy, kept a gun loaded, and
also kept fierce dog.
At the first sound of the rapping Tige
rushed out, and seizing Mr. Chesford BY
the leg, upset him into barrel of partly
frozen rain water just below the doorstep
and before he had finished swearing and
crawling out of his impromptu bath, Tom
up with the window and let fly the con-
tents of the gun. Fortunately, Mr.. Ches-
ford was down 50 low that the charge
passed harmlessly over him, and he had
time to discharge round volley of impre
cations at Tom before he could load again
"Thieyes robbers murder arson T.
screamed Mrs. jenkins.
"Do stop your noise u shouted David