Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1874-02-06


DR.. Hart leaned over Clarence's little
crib he involuntarilg uttered the name of
a malignant typ ct fever, just then raging
in the city.
I wish that You had sent for me before
fear that it is too late to secure the eX-
emption of the other little ones. But with
constant care 1 think we may save the little
fellow. You have good nurse p
AN excellent one. 1 can trust Natalia
as l would trust myself
You are fortunate, said the doctor. He
had scarcely closed the door when Natalia
came to her mistress.
My month expires Tomorrow, madam ::
will you pay me my wages and let me take
my departure at once y
But, Natalia, the haby is sick.'-
Ones first duty is TO ones self; would
not risk the infection for twice what you
pay me-
And Natalia packed her trunk and de-
parted without coming into the nursery to
bid little Clarence good bye.
The cook was next to give warning. Ma
ft;IGa, the laundress, took herself off with
out any preliminary ceremony.
4 am going, too said the seamstress.
Mrs. ArnOtt wouldn't have lifted her
finger if we'd ali been dying, and believe
in doing to others as they do to me-
And almost before she knew it the strick-
en- mother was left alone by the bedside of
her suffering babe. Neighbors crossed on
the other side of the street like the priests
and Levites Of OLD friends contented
themselves by sending in to inquire even
hired nurses avoided the malignant fever.
is there no one to help me p she moan
ed, wringing her white jewcled hands to-
gether. Have all pity and womanly sym
pathy died out of the world p
y slight noise caused her to turn, and
Kathleen O'Neil was at her side, busy ar
raging the table.
1 thought you, too, had gone, Kathleen y
she cried.
Sure ma'am, what should 1 be going
for p asked Kathleen: simply, and the
bits Of children sick, and you in sore trou-
be ? nursed the little brothers and sis
tiers at home, and l know just what needs
to be done.
And she took little Clarence in her arms
with n soft tenderness that went to the mo-
theirs heart.
Are you not afraid, Kathleen p
What should l be afraid of, ma'am :?
IS't Gods sky over US all, whether it's the
green banks of Ireland, or the church stee-
pie Of this great confusing city 2? Oh,
ma am. He'll not take the bonny baby
from u.s.
All Mrs. Arnott's hildrcn had the fever
last of all she was prostrated oy it-and
Kathleen watched every one, faithful: true
and tender.
Kathleen Mrs. Arnott said, the first
day she sat up, the Irish girl arranging the
pillows'about her wasted form, oh, Kath-
leen, l don't deserve this
Sure, ma'am, if we all had our deserts
in this world, its sorry place it would be,
I'm thinking, laughed Kathleen.
But, Kathleen, was cruel to yOu-sO
perfectly heartless y
we won't talk of it, ma'am, DEAR said
Kathleen, evasively.
But say just once that you forgive me =
pleaded the lady once 50 naughty.
Il forgive you, ma'am, rs free as the sun
shine Kathleen answered softly.
And you'll stay with me always, and be
my friend, Kathleen ?
If God wills it, ma'am.'
And Mrs. Arnott put her lips to kiss the
fresh cool cheeks of Irish Kathleen.
The years that have passed since then
have made men and women of the little peo-
pie that Kathleen uursed through the fever,
and strangers who visit Mrs. Arnott
scarcely know what to make of the plump,
comely, mddle-aged woman who moves
about the house apparently as much at
home in it as the mistress h ersef-who is
consulted about everything, and trusted
with all secrets.
Is she housekecper, or Il servant, or
relation = some one once asked.
Mrs. Arnott replied, she is my true and
trusted friend, Kathleen O'Neil.'