The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-05-04

doctor bent over the bed, watched the poor
old woman, saying to her. "Well, well, grand
mother Anne, was passing by Graufthal,
end Father Frederic called me in. He says
that you are not at all WE'LL"
Then grandmother suddenly reused up,
recognized him and answered, ''ah is that
you DIR. Semperlin? Yes, yes-I have suf-
fered and l still suffer. God will that it may
soon endv'
She was SO yellow, so wrinkled, so poor
that one thought in seeing her, how can this
poor body endure so much? And her hair,
formerly gray, now white as linen, her
cheeks hollow, her eyes glistening under her
shrvelled forehead, rendered her almost
unrecognisable.
The doctor questioned her. She answered
all his questions. He listened to her BREATH
ing and sounded her lungs while held her
up. At last he said, smiling,
'Well, WE'LL grandmother, you are In no
danger yet. This heavy cold will pass away
with the winter, only you must keep warm,
and drive away sad thoughts. You will re-
UuTQ u tuG iOICob uOuSCs lhOoS eAAHS" ~NN-~
not last long"
eyes! yesv' she answered, looking at us,
81 hope that all will be restored, but l am
very aged"
Nonsense When one is so well preserved
as YOU what matters it if one is old? All
this comes from current of air. We must
avoid all currents of air, Mademioselle Marie
Rose. Keep up good courage grandmother"
The Doctors words seemed to reassure her
little. We went out of the chamber, and
as I questioned him while Marie Rose list
ened, he asked, "Shall 1 speak before your
daughter?'
eyes," said I, ''for my daughter takes care
of her and must know all. If the malady is
serious, if we must lose the last being who
loves us, and whom we love, alb well! it is
better to know it in advance, than to be
struck by misfortune unawares.
sab well," said he, "the poor woman is
very sick, not only because of old age but
principally on account of grief which is wear
ing upon her, She is troubled, and that
makes her cough. Take care not to grieve
her. Do not let her see your anxiety. Wear
cheerful face, and tell her you are very
hopeful. When she looks at you smile on
her. If she is anxious, tell her that it is
nothing. Do not allow any one to see her
for fear she may hear bad news. That is the
best remedy that 1 can prescribe
While he was speaking Marie Rose fright.
ened, coughed one little dry cough. He
stopped, looked at her. and asked,
''Have you coughed for long time Mad
emoselle?"
"For some time," she replied blushng.
Then he took hold of her arm, and feeling OF
her pulse, said,
s'You must take care, and be careful OF
yourself also. This tenement is not healthy.
Do you have any fever in the evening?'
'sNo SIR"
s'Well, so much the better. You must
take care of yourself and as much as possible
drive away sad thoughts from your mind"
Having said that he took up his hat and
cane from the corner, and said to me as he
wentdown the stairs,
'sYou will come tomorrow TO the city and
you will find at Reeb's the apothecary, lit
tie bottle, of which you will give three drops
morning and evening, to grandmother. in a
glass of water. 1t is to relieve her breathing.
And take care also of your daughter. She is
very much changed. When we saw her six
months ago, how fresh and well she ap-
peared. That troubles you. Take care OF
her.
"Take care of her." repeated TO myself,
distressed. eyes, yes. If could give my
own lite for her! But how take care of be-
ings that fear, regret, grief, overwhelm ~
Thinking thus, I could have cried like child.
M. Semperlin saw it, and at the door clasp
ing my hand, said tepderly,
"We also, is it not SO, we are very sick Fa-
ther Frederic? Yes, terribly sick. Our hearts
are wounded, every thought hurts us; but
we are men, we must have courage for every.
| body"
would have gone with him through the
valley at least, for it was night but he op.
posed it, saying,
81 know my way. Go up stairs Father
| Frederic. Show yourself calm to your daugh-
ter and your mother. 1t is necessary Then
he went away and went up stairs to oul
| rooms.
Go be continued.)