The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1876-02-19
PRICE FIVE CENTS.
the lady, as she hurried out Of the room to
make arrangements for the reception of
Uncle Joseph.


Uncle Joseph was Calcutta merchant,
in which capacity he had accumulated an
immense fortune. Being bachelor, the
probable disposition of his property became
question of considerable interest among
his relations.
The family of Mr.. Mason, the merchant
introduced in the last chapter, included but
two children, n son and daughter
Grace was the only daughter of sister,
recently deceased, who had been for many
years widow
1t was supposed that Uncle Joseph would
make one of his nieces his heiress. This
was the old fellows within, and no one
could gainsay the whim of bachelor.
From some indication of preference which
he had bestowed upon Henrietta in her
childhood, 1t was generally believed that
she would prove to be the fortunate one.
Henrietta had been educated to be lady.
Her delicate fingers were never soiled by
rude collision with pots and kettles, and
she had been taught to believe that it was
delicate sensibility to be afraid of spider
or bullfrog. She played the piano with
passsble skill, and fingered away half her
time at full length on the sofa pouring over
the contents of a novel.
Such was the prospective helress of
Uncle Josephs large fortune. Her father
was far from approving the education she
had received, and had used all the influence
he possessed, short of quarrelling, to have
the Sc defects remedied.
Uncle Joseph came, and was welcomed
as became the dignity of one who bad
fortune to bestow.
Henrietta thought he was "lear love"
of man, and she wondered that the ladies
ever let him remain bachelor.
Grace, ty the CODtriyanCe of Mrs. Macon
was not present when her untle arrived
but Mr.. Mason, understanding the trick,
sought her in person and introduced her to
the man of money
The poor girl was too modest and retir-
ing to force herself upon the notice of
Uncle Joseph, who was too deeply absorb
ed by the unremitting attentions of Henri
eta to perceive her situation, or discover
the mental capacity in which she acted.
AT tea, Uncle Joseph complained of be
ing i'll, and said that he had not becr well
since no landed on the previous day.
Mrs. Mason and her daughter WAS all
sympathy. The ailng bachelor was con-
Quoted to his apartment, and herb teas and
jugs of hot water were put in rtquistion.
Henrietta volunteered TO sit all night by his
bedside and minister to bis wants but the
sick man did not deem it necessary.
1|uiibS OH tiio touluSlbD. bTttc WAS not
to be seen. She was not permitted to as
sist in the preparations for the sick mans
comfort; everything must be done by Hen
riettas own hand.
Notwithstanding the kind attentions Law
ished upon Uncle Joseph, there was no i'm
provement in his condition but on the
contrary, he rapidly grew worse, and at
midnight the physician was sent for. Hen
rietta had not left the bedside for moment,
She was the most devoted creature in the
world, and the bachelor could not but con-
trast her devotion with the utter neglect of
Grace, who had not once entered his room,
even to enquire how he did. Henriettas
prospects were decidedly brilliant.
The physician came, and after feeling
the pulse of the sufferer, inquired where he
resided when at home.
Uncle Joseph replied that he had no home
had just come from Calcutta.
81 see, said the physician. "Was there
any sickness on board the ship?'
There was. I came by the overland
route to Liverpool, thence by New York
liner. There was a steerage full of emil
grants on board. among whom the fever
ragged fearfully."
81 ust so, returned the physician, land
you have got the ship fever"
1.-The ship fever :" exclaimed Henrietta,
rushing out of the room.
The sick man turned, and witnessed her
abrupt departure. With sigh, such as
only can be wrung from bachelor con-
scious of his loneliness, he drew the bed
clothes closely around him, and apparently
abandoned himself to the fate, which the
dreadful disease seemed to foreshadow.
The physician made up his prescription
and retired. No one was left with Uncle
Joseph but his brother.
81 am deserted, BROTHER" said the sick
man.
mo, brother, l am here"
but there Is no hand Of woman here;
we'll, it Is a dreadful disease" and the suf-
ierer sighed again.
Mr.. Mason went down to the sitting
room, whittier his wife and daughter had
fed.
Show is this, wife ? Is Joseph to be aban-
doned now that he most needs attention."
asked he of Mrs. Mason.
You don't think we are going to stay in
the room with the ship fever!" replied Mrs
Mason.
"You may as well be in the room as in
the house."
ave must leave the house Immediately
Why did he not go to the hospital 1t was
not very cOnsidera of him to hing the
ship fever into the family. He might have
known that he had it,"
"Heaven forgive your heartlessness Blu.
is my brother to die with no one to care
for hlm?" exclaimed Mr.. Mason, indig-
nantly.
You must hire a nurse"
Sand you will desert himp'
ave can't stay here where the ship fever
is"
"No, papa, it would be suicidal added
Henrietta ellis fortune would do US no
good if we caught the fever"
go, then but there is still one in the
house who has a heart" replied Mr.. Mason
as he left the room to seek the apartment
of Grace.
Grace was ready in a moment to attend
her uncle to the sick room, where regard
less of the danger of contagion. she laved
the burning brow of the sufferer, and did
all that an angel hand could do to render
him comfortable.
Early in the morning Mrs. Mason and
her daughter departed tor the residence Of
friend in the country.
CHATTER III.
For several weeks Grace, with such as
sistance as Mr.. Mason and Charles could
give, nursed the invalid with the most I'M
firing devotion. All her time was spent by
his bedside. She was all gen'leness and
sympathy, bearing patiently with his petu-
lance and i'll humor, and never betraying
the slightest appearance of anger when he
scolded and even swore at her.
The fever turned and he began to mend.
He was now out OF danger, and rapidly ad-
vancing to complete restoration.
The physician commended the skill and
devotion of his nurse, assuring him that he
owed his life to her.
But the devotion of the poor girl cost her
dearly for scarcely had Uncle Joseph re-
covered, before she was taken down with
the fever, and for weeks languished on the
very verge OF the grave.
Yet there was no female hand to lave her