Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1877-10-04

| needed some one 10 wAfcn Dy your SICK
bed, she would be the first TO offer her
services. You all remember when Bill
Chiids lay dying at Sawpit Flat, how she
nursed him for weeks, aud when at last
death came, she closed his eyes and wrote
to his friends. telling them OF poor Bills
fate
| You oct she did" came fro0-many a
mouth. Morse stood by the bar. Not a
feature moved His hand trembled where
| Il rested, but his voice came low and calm.
as he said:
Doc. can we do anything to assist you 2
II will tell you. boys" said the doctor,
"the poor woman Is worn out with suffer
ing. and her child lies dying bv her side.
| and the mother is unable tonourish It. II
| there Is one of you who dsres for their
sahes 90 to Port Wine and get some milk,
| we may save the life OF Nancy Jones
| baby
| Morse said at once:
! Il viii 20, Doe; aud il fail, and Nancy
| lives, tell her that Jake Morse risked his
| life to save her child"
Turning to one Of the men. he said:
Charlie, will you lend me your snow
shoesi'
| in moment all was confusion: The men
rushed about ss IL mad. Mckenzie busted
himself putting up 4 flask OF his iavorite
brandy, for use should Morse require it.
The arrangements were completed. and
| out into the street went the crowd. The
houses were white with snow; the wind
came tearing down the hill, dashiny the
/ failing fakes into their faces. cutting aud
binding them. Morse strapped on the
huge shoes, then stood erect, saying:
Boys, IL don't get back. send my
things to my mother; Mokeazie knows
her address; and now, here goes, and at
the word, OF lac went Into the night like
flash; only for an Instant was he seen.
! then was lost to sight.
Brave heart! God 10 his goodness will
not fail TO watch your lonely path. His
eye j. on you; so breast on aud fear not.
The men went back TO the saloon. CAD
To return to its shelter and warmth. Their
glasses were reflied. and silent prayers
"tre offered for Jacks return.
The doctor said: II Jake does noter-
turn 10 tour hours. go ou, and meet him.
and then, slling his flask, started on his
~ay 10 visit the woman and her child.
with his hat pulled over his eyes, and his
face closely mui;ied. he went out into the
darkness and the storm. After plodding
some time In the drifting snow, he said to
himself: IL shall hsye Ia stop at Abe
Steafus' end get warm-l can't be far
from there" Pushing on, he reached at
length a house, rnde aud small out of the
single window shone 4 Hight. In answe.
TO his knock, mans voice said Come
In He pashed open the door and s:ood
within. white with snow. For moment
the light from the large fire dazzled bis
eyes. Abe Stearns, greeted him, and
SAID
why Doc. are you out on a nightllkc
/ this. It's wonder you're not dead
say Jessie. here's Doc. HOLMES" and
| iron the other room came young woman
with fair, cain face. holding In her
arms a bundle OF clothes, iron which d Is
sued cry. tsfiisx that there was some
one beside husband aud wife. Abe said
Give me the young.ter and get the
doctor something warm; he Is cold. 1"
Never mItd," the doctor replied; Il
will be Al right In Il moment. ! could not
resist the temptation OF your biz fireplace.
But how is the babyf Let me Sc. him,
Mrs. Stearns."
The young mother. with proud look and
tender hands, uncovered her sleeping
bahe. The doctor, looking al him mo
ment, said: ''He Is a fne boy, Mrs.
Stearns. and worthy OF his father and
mother; how comfortably he looks In his
warm nest. aud how different IRON the
poor child am on my way 10 see"
Why, doctor, is there anyone sick?
Who Is ity'
The doctor answered In 4 low voice:
"A poor, unfortunate woman. Mrs.
Stearns, who Is cut Oh from every one,
and who, in spite of every misfortune, Is
woman. and lies 1t deaths door with
baby by her side and, TO add still more 10
her misery nature has failed TO give the
noarishment necessary for the child"
For q moment the husbsud and wife
n. k
they asked, Who Ia IL doctorg''
"He answered Nancy Jones"
They repeated the words, Nancy
Jones" and the young mother clasped her
child still closer TO her heart, and looking
down on her sleeping babe she inwardly
thanked God. even though her home was
small and rude, that her child was safe
from slch misfortune as the doctor had
related; and turning TO him, her mothers
sympathy shining Ia her face, she said:
"Oh. doctor. cannot some thing be done
TO save the child." No matter what the
| mothers sin. the child at least Is innocent;
1t is too ierrible-something must be done.
Abe. can't you think Of something We can
do:''
Tie doctor said: The only COW for
miles around is owned st Port Wine. and
Jake Morse has gone on snow-shoes, in the
III to let him return in safety, then the
child might be saved but n he should fail
there is no hope"
But Doc" said Abe, "how long will 1t
take Jske to 90 and return?"
About four hours. II he does his best
and meets with no accidentT'
Jessie asked In a low voice. As she clasped
her baby close TO her breast. "How long
Is IL doctor. since the mother failed to
nurse the chidy'
"She became unconscious about O'Clock
and since then it has been without food;
aud by the time Morse returns il will be
seven hours
Jessie did not speak-she looEed down
upon her child. wrapped the shawl closer
around It's little body. and out from under
the bed drew the rude cradle old band
box. with rockers attached, no doubt made
BY Abels hardy hands and with tender
ness. placed her baby In its resting place.
A soft flush covered her face, and her calm
sweet eyes liz up as she looked At her hus-
band-the lover OF her youth, the one for
whom she had left her home-the father o.
her chiid-snd, drawing her slight form 70
its foil height, she said:
Doctor the child shall not die, for my
self will go and nurse Nancy Jones baby"
The doctor looked Al her radiant face for
All instant; the tears came INTO MS eyes
snd his voice trembled with emotion.
"You are an angel, Mrs. Stearns," and he
lined her hand reverently 10 his lips and
kissd cit.
Then the wife with an indescribabe
grace. turned to her husband, and said
Abel. have your consent to gor' And
the great, strong, bearded creature, picked
her up In bis arms like child, while the
big manly voice shook and trembled in re-
ply.
Yes. Jessie. God forbid that should
be in the way OF YOUR angel mission. Go,
my love, and God bless you..' And the
doctor, after sundry coughs, ostensibly for
the purpose Of clearing his throat, man
aged at length to say:
"If you two young people don't have
luck. shall turn infidel, id II don't
Excuse me, Mrs. Stearns. but l could not
help it,"
Tue preparations weresoOn completed,
Jessie bent over the cradle for . moment,
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