Lincoln County advocate. (Canton, Dakota Territory, [S.D.]) 1876-1877, 1876-05-03

NOt phItlClAlaIly pACt1Sts1ps sSpO1 o1AS
1T twilight" soliloquized the doctor,
Leaning forward to catch a glimpse of a
single ray Of yellow light that streamea
from the window OF 8 cottage q ffew rods
further on. g They've lighted their
I see, and it's high time they
did, too" t5 e @ 5. 81 5.55 sEsfs
I He sprang from his phaeton and en-
tered the cottage without knocking.
It presented no very inviting scene.
A ruinous floor, treaohsrous and uncer-
tain to the unwary footstep; walls where
masses Of plaster had fallen: away, leav-
ing the rough laths exposed; and q fire.
place where q few damp logs sputtered
and smoked, and did everything but
blaze up cheerfu1y. A hard featured
old crone, who was dozing on stool by
the, hearth, started up, and began to
courtesy as the dJctor entered.
..,'s Well, Mrs. Hopper, and how is the
patient e.. q, z }s4f3 saS5fla}@s3 b
s4"Quiet, sir lluiet, quiet s.s
ossAnd the cliId9" ~ So
Gas peaceful as a lamb, bless it's little
hearth
DIR. Tracy took up the candle and
strode acrossthe room 70 low bedstead
in the xbse h6t1t ScHner, where hui
mai fiRbrdw2 S0inly outlined beneath
q tpfn lid htered conHerpane. Close
beside ii, With shower Of feecy, fia1en
ringlets mingled with the black, dishev-
eled locksof the prostrate woman, nestled
a child wdo looked up into the doctors
eyes as le approached, with innocent,
wondering loekH ~ g,sr, >,
whined Tie Dldwoman, - and she hain't
made no fuss since. I wouldn't disturb
her. cause there's nothin' 80 refreshin'
for sick folks as Sleep"
'fsleepi'' echoed Dr.. Tracy, bending
to txamine the averted face; {" my good
sopl, she dead! "
"Deadl" shrieked the old woman,
rushing acr1ss the floor" dead !, Come
away, child qniio - ~
The little creature slid TO the ground
with composure strangely at variance
with her age, and stood alternately eye
ing her two companions. Z
=. II hope, doctor, you'n see don't
lose nothin' BY the expense I've been
to, whined Mrs. Hopper. /" I'm lone
widder woman, and -"
"And the biggest harpy in the coun.
try i" added DR.. Tracy !" / knew that
when I had this poor creature brought
here when I found her dying by the
roadside the night before last, but 1
couldn't very well help myself. Don't
be alarmed, Mrs. Hopper, you shall not
be s,lffereri But about this little girl
Il really don't know what to do"
He hesitated an instant, mechanically
smoothing the fleecy, yellow curls of the
little little girl, .:$3s :.s. -:
! ST Isuppose, he said, nodding toward
the bed, !" she left no money nor valua-
bles Of any kind ~ pl, t
/. ssNot q bit Of it, sir, fore4 - : !" - .a
Il But the child stepp forward, = fragile
bit of o thing, bat erect and rcsolute.
E"What did you do with that little bag
yon took off nurse Nina's neck I" she
asked. Ii aass7se@s-a tssa
.s r.. Bag Z" stamnersd the. confounded
woman. s.,Fa ,!ga 81 !ttgsaf, I .rsaa @
: ayes you took it of her m neck last
night when you thought I was asleep !"
1 The child is dreaming" said Mrs.
Hopper, turning red and white.
- 4. But I do not think she is, said the
doctor, quietly but firmly. t's' Give her
the bag, Mrs. Hopper.
.sI never see no bag, as sure as I live
and breathe r. asserted the woman but
DR., Tracy's quick eye followed the d:rec.
tionof her wandering glance. He stepped
aoxess ther roopnaqo renewed the cushion
Of the stool; bene Sthsit lay:a small red
lesahEl y I hg sdras'n ! 1 up bysa taeaished
I. That is my bag" said the child,
holding out her small hand. .
Yes but had / not better keep it
for youa And, little one, perhaps !
shall take you home with me tonight.
It is not we'll that you skould stay in the
house with death. /"
"I am not afraid of DEATH" said the
child grayely. 8 I saw my uncle Paolo
die. - ssa.ss. sti M .!55Ss8 t5sff..
Whoi !" demanded DR.. Tracy, turn
ing suddenly around. sts 5Jl,..
ID 8 My uncle Paolo."
I I. =. !. And what IS your rame f''.sis.
8 Bertha Pstroni. !"
DR.. Tncy's heart seemed to stand
still. s5.s / ,ssa s5,:g.ss..s ss1., 80
Come here, my child, he said, in
q tremulous voice. Who was this