American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1876-03-18

prosaic and commonplace surround
ings, and supplied DR.. Tracy with an
pie materials for thought as he drov
through the wild and desolate part {
the country.
"Not particularly pleasant spot thi
at twilight" soliloquized the doctor
leaning forward to catch glimpse G
a single ray of yellow light that stream
ed from the window of cottage fe,
rods further on. ssThey've lighte
their candles, see, and it's high tim
: they did, too.''
He sprang from his phaeton and en-
tered the cottage without knocking.
1t presented no very inviting scene
A-ruinous floor, treacherous and uncer
tain to the unwary footstep; wall
where masses of plaster had fallel
away, leaving the rough laths exposed
and a fireplace where few damp log
sputtered and smoked, and did every
thing but blaze up cheerfully. A hard
featured old crone, who was doing OF
a stool by the hearth, started up, anC
began to curtsy as the doctor entered
"Well, Mrs. Hopper, and how is the
patientP''
"Quiet, sir-quite quiet"
"And the child?"
GAS peaceful as lamb, bless its little
hearth"
DR.. Tracy took up the candle and
strobe across the room to low bedstead
in the most distant corner, where hu.
man figure was dimly outlined beneath
a torn and battered counterpane. Close
beside it, with a shower of fleecy, faxen
ringlets mingled with the black, di-
shevelled locks of the PROSTATE woman,
nestled a child who looked up into the
Doctors eyes as he approached with in
nocent, wondering looks.
"I gave her the drops at O'Clock, 81
whined the old woman, sand she hain't
made no fuss since. Wouldn't disturb
her, 'cause there amt nothin' so re-
freshin' for sick folks as Sleep"
"Sleep!" echoed DIR. Tracy, bending
to examine the averted face; "my good
soul, she's dead!"
"Dead!" shrieked the old woman,
rushing across the floor" dead! Come
away, child, quick"
The little creature slid to the ground
with composure strangely at variance
with her age, and stood alternately ey-
ing her two companions.
81 hope, doctor, you'll see I don't
lose nothin' by the expense I've been
to-" whined Mrs. Hopper. "I'm lone
wilder woman, and"
"And the biggest harpy in tho coun-
try!" added DIR. Tracy; 81 knew that
when had this poor creature brought
here when I found her dying by the
roadside the night before last, but I
couldn't very well help myself. Don't
be alarmed, Mrs. Hopper; you shall not
be sufferer! But about this little girl !;
1 really don't know what to do"
He hesitated an instant, mechanical
ly smoothing the fieecy, yellow curls of
the little girl.
81 suppose" he said, nodding to-
wards the bed, "she left no money nor
of any kind?"
Not bit of it, sir, for
But the child stepped forward, Z
fragile bit of a thing, but erect and res
olute.
"What did you do with that little bag
you took off nurse Nina's neck P" she
asked.
"BagP" stammered the COMPOUNDED
woman.
eyes; you took it off her neck last
night when you thought 1 was asleep!"
"The child is dreaming" said Mrs.
Hopper, turning red and white.
"But do not think she is" said the
doctor, quietly, but firmly. "Give her
the bag, Mrs. Hopper
81 never see no bag, as sure as live
and breathei" asserted the woman;
but DIR. Tracy's quick eye followed the
direction of her wandering glance. He
stepped across the room and removed
the cushion of the stool beneath it lay a
small red leather bag drawn up by
gilt cord.
"That is my bag" said the child,
holding out her small hand.
eyes; but had not better keep it for
youP And, little one, perhaps 1 shall
take you home with me tonight. 1t is
not well that you should stay in the
house with death.'
81 am not afraid of DEATH" said the
child, gravely. 81 saw my uncle Paolo
die"
"Who?" demanded DIR. Tracy, turn
ing suddenly around.
"My uncle Paolo."
"And what is your name?"
Bertha Petroni.''
DR.. Tracy's heart seemed to stand
still.
"Come here, my child" he said, in
q tremulous voice. "Who was this
that lies dead herep''
"My nurse, Nina
"And how did she come here?"
A puzzled expression came over the
grave little face.
81 don't know, sir; she came tolook
for some one-I don't know who.'
elbow old are you, BerthaP"
al am eight years old"
DIR. Tracy opened the little leather
bag; it contained yellow letter, worn
through all the edges, and signed "Hel-
en- Petroni," slender chain of gold and
a tiny ring set with turquoises. He
closed it again, feeling like one who