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

WHY doctor, is there any one sick WhC
is it," a.,
nnor unfortunate woman, Mrs. Stcarns
who is cut off from every one, and who, il
i eni,e of every misfortune, Is woman, anC
lies a, deaths door, with baby by her side
~ add still more 10 her misery, nature ha
called TO rive the n1urishment necessary to
Eor moment the husband and wife stooC
perfectly specchless, and then in one breatl
they asked
"Who is il, Doctor?'
He answered, Nancy Jones"
They repeated the words, Nancy Jones,
and the young mother clasped her child still
closer to her heart, and looking down on hel
sleeping baby, she nwardly thanked God
even though her home was small and rude
that her chitd was safe from such mistor
tune as the doctor had related; and turning
to him, her mothers sympathy shining or
| her face, she said:
"Oh, DOCTOR can nothing be done to save
the child. No matter what the mother sin
the child at least is innocent; it is too terri
blc-something must be done. Abe, cam
YOU think of something Ne can do:"
The doctor said, The only COW for mile:
HTOuDu Is ONlltV az Dii w VA ~
has zone on snow shoes in the midst Of the
storm, for milk. If God sees fit to let him
return in safety, the child might be saved
but if he should fall then there is no hope fol
the babe
But Doc" said Abe, chow long will 1t take
Jake to 20 and return
about four hours, if he Goes his best and
meets with no accident
Jessie asked in low voice, as she ciasped
lie baby closer 10 her breast:
Glow long is it, doctor since the mother
failed to nurse the chlld?'
She became unconscious about > o'clock
and since then it has been without food; and
by the time Morse returns it will be seven
hours"
Jesse did not spcak-shc looked down up
on her child, wrapped the shawl closer about
its little body, and out from under the bed
drew the rude cradle--an old boot box, with
rockers attached, no doubt made by Abe's
hardy hands-and with tenderness placed
the baby in its resting place. y soft flush
covered her face, and her calm, sweet eyes
lit up as she looked at her husband-the low
er Of her youth, the one for whom! she had
left her home-thc father Of her chlld-and
drawing her slight form to its full height
she said
Doctor, the child shall not die, for my
self Will go and nurse Nancy Jones baby
The doctor looked at her radiant face fol
an instant; the tears came 10 his eyes and
his voice trembled with emotion.
You are an angel, Mrs Stearnes,' and he
lifted her hand rcycrently TO his lips and kiss
ed it.
Then the wife, with an lnGescrlbab,c grace
turned TO her husband and said:
Abe have I your consent to go?'
And the great, strong, bearded creature
picked her up in his arms like Child, while
the big, manly voice shook and trcmbed in
reply, Yes, Jessie, my wife; God forbid that
| should stand in the way of your angel mis-
sion. Go, my love, and God bless you
And the doctor, after sundry coughs osten.
,ibly for the purpose Of clearing his throat,
managed at length to say;
you two young people don't have luck
shall turn infdel, - if | don't. Excuse
me, Mrs. Stearns, but couldn't help IT,
The preparations were soon completed ;
Jessie bent over the cradle moment, kissed
her husband, charged him to be careful OF
the boy, and then went out into the night.
The wind had ceased and the moon shone
bl light and clear; the cold, sharp air cut Ike
knife, but still they laborcd on, sometimes
through the frozen crust, never stopping I'M
til they reached the Log House jessie
here spoke for the first time:
rs there any one with her, doctor:
"Yes, the old mgress judith Ana as he
spoke he opene,. the door.
Jessie stood on the threshold for moment
only for moment, however, for the faint cry
of a child was heard, and then al! the woman
came to her relief and she stepped quickly
into the room The cry OF the child came
again. Going to the bed, she took it in her
arms-lt moaned: the doctor turned his face
awav-a feeble cry OF content from the child,
and then all was quiet, and Nancy Jones
baby vas saved
Five years have passed and gone sincc that
night and time has made many changes.
Able StcaTns and Jessie are no longer IN tiaD'
bit Creek one misfortune after another has
happened to them, until starvation stares
them IN the face. They have one more mouth
to feed since we saw them last, and Christ
mas night 1853, sees them in san Francisco
without food.
Jessie unable to see her invalid husband
suffer any longer, has made up her mind to
beg. Out INTO the street she goes, trying TO
cain courage for her task. Faint and tired
from lasting and oycrwork, she reaches the
corner Just as fine carriage is driving past.
She tries to AVOID it, but her foot slips, and
she fall, on the crossing. The carriage stops,
the windows are lowered, and mans vrhce
asks What Is thc natter
The byslanders replied that woman had
tainted, and thea a wOman'S voice asks II she
is hurt:
"Shc is in lheLyug store the same persons
reply, land is in-cnsblc.'
The soft voice fsOm the carriage speaks to
her companion, saying: "lshould like to see
her, dear"
The door Is oprned, and passing into the
store, and asking 80 see the lady who tainted,
She is shown INTO the room. She glidts up
to the lounge upA Glsts one look al the pale
white lace, and dGops on her knees and puts
the poor head on her shoulder. Only for a
moment does she yemain, then turning TO the
clerk, she said
Garry the lady TO my carriage; she is an
acquantancc OF n.inc; will take charge of
her