The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1875-02-18
DIR. LAMBERT.

Near the city of Nalmont, about hall
a mile from the New Gate, on the roaC
to tlori>sant, stands an old stone house
rather the Verse for age, but still quite
habitable.
The chief feature of that venerable
DIV, Hing is the outside staircase by which
the second story is reached. At the tor
of these stairs is wide landing-place
surrounded Uy an iron balustrade, and
almost nlled with green boxes in which
boom protu>ely Il variety of bright anG
fragrant flowers.
But what first attracts attention TO the
place is belt of small arbors and sum
warehouses;, each surrounded by mar
row tower-bed. These green retreats
are furnished with tables and seats, and
look very cozy and inviting.
The owner of this quiet, yet cheerful
abode was a Miss Morette, fair and forty
and reasonably fat, rather shor; in stature
quick, bright, and apparently happy, as
sne deserved to be, for she spent hel
whole life in doing good.
Miss Morette was not very rich, bat
she used to say that when there is enough
fortwo there is enough for twelve; it
only needed good management and wise
economy. She practiced the economy
upon he self, and gave to others the ben
Cit Of the arrangement.
TIL It second Story, with the hOwery
stains, was devoted to hospitality. Dur
ing the whole summer it was filled with
visiJ0rs-old ladies who needed sunshine
tired seamstresses who needed rest, young
girls and children who needed fresh all
and country milk These were Miss
Moret.'s guess. And as she kept but
one servant, and did not allow her in
vlliis to WORK too much, her own hands
were seldom idle.
Besides her home duties, she had many
outdoor patients to attend to. Early
every morning she filled two covered
baskets with fruit and flowers, and i'm.
Tediately after her frugal breakfast she
started for the city with basket or
each arm, walking briskly, and singing
10 herself as she went When she
reached the city she threaded her way
quietly through the narrowest of it,
many narrow streets, and for awhile only
short g|impses of her small person could
be had as she fitted from house tC
house.
In one of her visitations Miss Morette
heard that in the next tenement poo
widow had been taken suddenly ill anC
was supposed to be dying. She went tt
see her. and found her, as had been re
ported, evidently near her end.
The poor woman was greatly distressed
at the thought of leaving her child un
protected. Il don't care for myself,
She said, "but can't bear to have hel
20 to the hospital"
"Of course not" said Miss Morette
"Shc is a very pretty child; but wha
makes her look so pale?"
Ricketts," groaned the woman. "Sh'
is six years old, for all she looks so small
And think of her going to the hos
pital"'
"She need not 60 to the hospital.
will take care of her myself. live il
the country and will take good care o
her. Will you give her to me:" aske'
Miss Morette, with tears in her eyes.
The dying woman blessed and thanked
her; she was willing to die now.
"Suzette," said Miss Morette to he
faithful servant, IL am going to briA!
here II lovely little girl. She is sick an,
an orphan, SO We must take her"
Suzette was quite willing. She adore'
her mistress, and had often expressed
desire to "kiss the ground she trod on.
But more important duties had Away
prevented her from putting that wisl
into action, and scrubbing the floors hat
been her nearest approach to that idea
form of worship.
The next day the motherless child wa
brought to her new home and became
the pet of the household. She had tn
face of an angel, but she was weak ant
sickly.
Country air would do much for her,
said Miss Morette to herself, and if ar
could assist nature | am certain sh'
would soon get well. But good doctors
are such expensive blessings"
The kind little lady was in the habi
of prescribing for her family patients
Her father had been a physician, ant
had left her, beside all his books,
recipe for making pills of such miracu
lous virtue that they, or the fear O
them, had never yet failed to cure an.
disease.
But this was different case and re
quired different treatment. So, havin
passed in review all the physicians o
Nalmont, Miss Morette made up her min
to consult Dr. Lambert.
She arrayed herself in her best dress
brown foulard silk with white dots,
cherry colored Grape shawl that had be
longed to her mother, and respectabl
white straw bonnet trimmed with brown
Thus becomingly attired, she departe
one fine June morning, holding brow
parasol in one hand and in the other
purple velvet reticule containing he
knitting; for she might have to wait, an
time was too precious to be lost.
Everybody in Valmont knew DR.. Lam
bert, and could relate his history, wit
variations, but it was generally acknow
edged that he was ian original"
His reputation as a physician wa
great. Yet, although he was only littl
over fifty, he had almost given up hi
profession and practiced only when
suited him. But it was difficult to te
when it suited him, for he was capr
cious, and took strong likes or dislike
to people without any apparent reason.
He was not partial to the fair sex an
seldom consented to take woman unde
his care unless she was poor. This pecu
iarity was accounted for by the romsl
tic superstition that he had been d.
ceived in early youth by the woman b
loved. The only thing people did NJ
agree upon was the selection Of the faitl
less one.
Whatever the doctor might have bee
in his youth, he was now ugly, cross an
crusty. Yet there were those among b
patients who thought him an angel {
kindness. To his honor be it said, thes
were poor people who did not pay, an
who sorely tried the short patience
their beloved doctor by their long expl
nations and senseless fear of death.
The only intimate friend of DR.. Lam
bert was his dog Fido. They went e,
ervwhere together and IN Ana aftormnos