Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-05-02
The Mechanics Home.

plain but rather coarse. His linen, that
badge of refinement, was white, in perfect
order aud almost elegant. Everything about
him seemed substantial, but nothing gave a
clue to his position in life. In all outward
seeming he was gentleman. When he
spoke to me, his address was simple, direct,
clear and with a certain air of self-reiance.
the farthest possible from vulgar bluster.
Doctor" he said, q" | wish you would 60
and see my child. We fear he is threatened
with Group"
This case, which he described as we went
along, was a pretty clear one, and hurried
my walk still more, and in few moments
we were at the door. We went up, up, up
to the fourth story. The last flight of stairs
was carpeted, and small lamp at the top
lighted us. An excellent and very durable
kind of mat lay at the door. You will see
in time why give these little particulars.
| entered the opened door and was well
coined by rather pretty and remarkably
tidy woman, who could have been nobody in
the world but the wife OF the man who had
summoned me.
al am glad You have come so soon" she
said, in soft, pure accent. Little William
seems so distressed that he can hardl,
breathe;" and the next moment as we
passed through a narrow passage where he
lay, heard the unmistakable croupy sound
that justly carries such terror to the parents
heart.
"ls it the Group doctor ?" asked the
father, with voice of emotion, as | bent
over the child, fine boy, three years of age
1T is certainly the Group" | said, land a
pretty violent attack. How long is it since
you thought him sick ~
mot above an hour" was the calm reply
1t was made calm by a firm self-control.
looked at the mother She was very pale, but
did not trust herself to speak.
"Then there is probably but little danger, .
| said; "but we have something to do. Have
you water here %
The husband went to what seemed a
closet, opened two doors, and disclosed a
neat pine bathing-tub, supplied with Croton.
This was beyond my hopes but | had no
time to wonder. The little fellow was in a
high fever, and laboring for breath. TAX
ing him from his little crib, where he lay
upon a nice hair mattrass fit for a prince to
sleep on, took off his clean night-clothes,
stood him in the bath-tub, and made his
father pour full upon his neck and chest
three pals of cold water, while | rubbed
them briskly with my hand. He was then
wiped dry, and rubbed until his whole body
was glowing like flame. Then | wrung a
large towel out of cold water and put it
around his throat, and then wrapped him up
in blankets.
The brave little fellow had borne it all
without a complaint, as if he understood
that under his fathers eye no harm could
come to him. In fifteen minutes after he
was wrapped in blankets he was in profuse
perspiration, in sound slumber and breath
ing freely. The danger was over-so rapid
is this disease, and so easily cured, Happi-
ness had shed a serene ray of light upon the
countenance of the father, and thrown over
the mothers face glow of beauty. locked
upon them and was more than ever puzzled
where to place them. There were no marks
OF high birth or superior breeding-not a
shadow OF decayed gentility about them. 1t
was rather the reverse, as if they We're work.
ing up from low rank of life to higher.
looked around the room. 1t was the bed
room. Everything in it was perfectly neat
and orderly. The bed, like the crib, was ex-
celent, but not costly. The white counter
pane did not cost more than ten shillings-
yet how beautiful it looked The white
window curtains were shilling muslin; but
their folds hung as richly as il they were
damask-and how very appropriate they
seemed. The bath, with its snug folding
doors, knew had not cost, plumbers bill
and all, more than ten dollars. The toilet
table, OF an elegant form, had no doubt
was of pine, and cost half dollar. The
pictures on the wall were beautifully tinted
lithographs far better than oil paint
ings | have seen in houses of millionaires
yet they can be bought at Goupils, or Viii
liams, or Stevens for from three to five
shillingS, and dollar apiece had framed
them. The floor had a carpet that matched
everything with its small, neat figures, and
light chamber color. 1t was IA jewel OF "A
room, in as perfect keeping in all its parts
as ii an artist had designed it,
Leaving the little boy to his untroubled
sleep, aud giving directions for bath on
his waking, we went into another room,
which was differently but just As neatly ar
ranged. 1t might have answered for a par
lor (only it had cooking stove), for an ar
lists studio, or diuimg-rooln. 1t was hung
with pictures-h heads, historical pieces and
landscapes all such as "a man of taste could
select and buy cheapi but which, like good
books, are invaluable And speaking OF
books. there was hanging library on one
side of the chimney which assured me con
tanned the very choicest treasures OF the
English tongue,
The man went to a bureau, opened a
drawer, and took out some money.
"What is your fee, doctor 2" he asked
holding the bills so as to select one to pay me-
Now | had made up my mind before had
got half way up the stairs, that | might
have TO wait for my pay--perhaps never get
it; but all this had changed. | could not
as often do, inquire into the circumstances
of the man, and graduate my price accord
ingly. There he stood, ready TO pay me
with money enough yet it was evident
that he was working man, and far from
wealthy, | had nothing left but to name the
lowest fee.
"One dollar does not seem enough" said
he, "you have saved my child's life, aud
have been at more trouble than merely tc
write prescription"
"Do you work for living? :" | asked
hoping TO solve the mystery
lie smiled and held out his hand, which
showed the unquestionable marks OF honest
toll.
"You are a mechanic ~ | said, willing u
know more of him,