Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1875-08-20
John Jones, Sick Man.

He was grunting around" for two or
three days before he would give up. Mrs.
Jones advised him to take pills or qui-
nine, but he said he guessed he'd be all
right as soon as the weather changed
again. On the third morning he had a
high fever and couldn't stand up.
Mrs. Jones seemed delighted. He hadn't
been sick before for thirteen years, and
she had a splendid stock of herbs and
powders and liquids in the pantry.
"Now, just give right up, John Wash
ington," she replied as he groaned and
sighed and declared that he'd get up and
go downtown as usual if it killed him.
"There, let me turn your pillow over,
hang your clothes in the closet, and then
I'll run in and make you some toast"
He had to submit. She darkened the
bedroom, put clean spread on the bed,
and grand smile covered her face as she
sailed into the kitchen.
"Sarah Jane, you go and fan your
| father with newspaper and keep the flies
ofl'n him while get the poor man some
thing to eat. Your father is a very sick
man, Sarah Jane, and l can't say that you
won't be fatherless next week at this
timep'
Sarah went in and Mrs. Jones rushed
from the stove to the pantry. She toasted
four large slices of bread, broke three
eggs into hot water, got down a pint glass
of jelly, sent for half pound of crackers,
and in about half an hour she had the
sick mans breakfast ready.
81 don't care what all the doctors in
the land say" she remarked, as she drew
three chairs within his reach and loaded
them down with the provisions. Il know
that people can't be sick without some
thing ON their stomach"
He tasted the toast, slipped at the tea
groaned, growled and sighed, and she
pleaded.
"Now, John, do try and eat something
| | know Just how bad you feel, and know
you haven't any appetite, but do try"
40 thunderl" he groaned, as his stom
ach rebelled against the food
Poor man! poor, dear manp' sht
sighed, as she placed her hand on his head
John Washington, if you should die thii
would be a sad housed l don't believe
could stand up under the blow over thre'
weeks, and / know the children woulC
i give right up!"
Hadn't we better have doctor" Ii,
inquired, becoming frightened.
mot now, John not until we see tina
I can't do you any good. l know thos,
doctors TO T. They'd come here anC
dose and dose and make great bill anC
you'd probably die just the same"
She carried out the food, put on kettle
of water got out clean towel, and as sh'
entered the bedroom with dish of warn
water in her hand she said:
Now, then, l must wash your feet anC
cut your toe-nails."
She sat beside the bed, took his foot il
her lap, and that sweet smile on her fac
proved that his illness would be gain L
her of a pound of flesh per day.
"My soull but I'm glad l thought :
wash your feetp' she exclaimed, as sh
rubbed them with the wet towel. Z"
wouldn't have had any of the neiPhbor
come in and see these feet for all we ar
worth"
She wanted to scrape the soles with a
old case-knife, but he wouldn't permit i
J She, however, got out the shears and ha
7 good time cutting his toe-nails and dil
: ging under them She worked indu
! triously for half an hour, and then hel
! the foot off and looked at it admiringly
and said:
"Therel I'll take my dying oath thu
| you've got the oleanest feet in this town.
] He half admitted that he felt bette
! and, greatly encouraged, she sent Sara
r Jane out TO pull some horseradish leave;
/ These were trimmed, laid on the stow
/ rolled in her hand, and she went back
Y Mr.. Jones and said;
5 Now, then, we'll put on the drafts"
J. She put leaf on the sole OF each 100
z tied clean cloths over them, hunted u
clean socks and worried thsm on over u