River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-05-08
DR.. THORNE'S PRESCRIPTION.
by ida ROWLAND.

There is one thing nerer will do, anC
that is marry ii widower." said Laura
with more energy than she had displayed
before in a week, the idle white tiDger
meanwhile beating a quick tattoo on the
pane covered with drops, and her head
with its bright bronze hair, nOdding 81
emphatically that the ivy leaves above
her were all in a treHb BILE.
Nor doctor" said Aunt Prudence
shrewdly, as she glanced out Of hel
window in time to see Dr.. ThOrpe's bug
~, well spatteIed with country mud, &C
around the corner, and the stately doctor
under his umbrella, in the act of replac-
ing his hat on his head. Il knew girl
once"
20, spare me, Aunt Prue, | know all
about it; she married Just as she had
vowed she would not. II does not follow
that am to be so foolish, does it, | had
rather be blessed old maid, like you,
it I could only be ualf as good. than to
be Mis-. Somebody number two"
How is it about dOctOIsl"
"TheY are my especial abominaticE.
They smell of drugs, and are given to
lecturing people" said Laura, her color
deepening under the spinter's keen gaze,
and her fingers beating quicker meas
ure.
.Tt seems odd that you have taken
such dislike TO Or. Thorne, Laura
everybody else likes him." said that
young lady's mother from the scat by the
fire, while her fingers were busy doing
her darling's mending, while her
thoughts We're planning how she might
in some other way take every shadow of
care from her Young life
II did not mention his name in pariic-
Ciar, mother"
We'll, I knew you meant him, for you
have not liked him since | called him IN
To prescribe for your headaches. By the
way, you never showed me his last pre-
scription; l noticed it was quite
lengthy
'Oh, it was some nonsense about exer-
else and early hours quite q little lee
iure, in fact, for which he received no
thanks said Laura, evasively.
Then the conversation was changed BIZ
Mrs. Lamont consulting her sister about
the pudding for dinner, while Laura's
thoughts ran on in this needless fashion
The impudence oil the men! All
these fine words meant simply this: You
are lazy. good for nothing girl; go to
work and ron will be better Not that
think | am anything else, but one does
not care to be reminded of such things
I wonder if he knows that this dear little
mother Of mine has made IT the one OBJ
ect of her life 10 anticipate all my wish
"a, and make me the ignorant butterfly of
fashion that I am. And Aunt Prue is in
league with her. Dear souls! they want
TO make me happy. How disappointed
they would be- if they knew how restless
and miserable I am To work in this
house is impossible; ana yet would like
to Oe of use to some one. | do Rot be
Heve | am naturally lazy, OF tins kind OF
q life would suit me | suppose he
thinks Agnes Bell paragon. She knows
sill about housekeeping, and visits the
poor. Everybody says she would make
him a splendid wife. Well, l hope she
likes wldowers; | don't"
Here the solilcquy was ended by Laura
turning to the piano and dashing off the
most brilliant thing she knew anything
TO draw her thoughts. Presently the
notes grew softer, and she heard Aunt
Prue say:
There is ournew neighbor at the gate,
and such careless looking creature
How can people he So thOughtless about
their appearancc| glancing over her own
spOtless attire.
Perhaps there IS some excuse for her,
pfue," said the other sister, who always
found cloak tor every ones sho-tcom-
in.s. katie says she has three little
children, and does her Own work. A sick
baby, too, who cries half the night. You
know Katic's room is on that side sf the
house. She says ste often secs the little
woman walking the floor late at night,
with the baby in her arms"
"All habit, this walking the floor with
Children, said Aunt Prudence, who
would have every child brought up by
rule, as far as sleeping and eating were
concerned.
why haven't you been in to sec herr"
inquired Laura. wheeling suddenly
around gu the piano stool.
"She has her hands iull without seeing
strangers" answered her mother.
Then the sisters conversation drifted
away upon ether topics, while Laura fell
into il brown study that lasted about ten
minutes, when she suddenly rose, and
taking her water proof from closet,
said, abruptly:
''lm going over there
"Whcre}" echoed mother amt aunt.
having forgotten their previous converse
ton.
"Our next door neighbours
Are you crazy, child. II IS morning,
and she will not have Der work done,
said her mother.
Your hair is in crimp- pins called
Aunt Prue, fer the wilful girl had by this
;lme reached the gate.
The door bell next door was broken, so
Laura raped; but there was such a com
motion in the hall that she could not be
heard, So she opened the door and
walked in. A boy of five was in the act
of sliding down the balusters. which feat
be Accomplished with such rapidity that
the astonishCd visitor held her brest To till
she saw that be landed safely. A little
girl with tangled curls and very dirty
apron was shouting and clapolng her
aaDds as audience.
Were playing circus. Mamma is IN
the sitting room y they replied, in answer
- Laura's questions.
The door was opened. rs Lsura tapped,
~ n psle, tired looking woman. with &
hahy in her arms idst freshly dressed, bat
~ iIetfU! that nothing bat constant toss
n, nP and down would keep h;m quiet
There we're traces Of tears on the mother
face, and the room was in disorder. She
evidently was much surprised At hei
visitor, tut Laura's easy manner rcas-
surcd her.
- am Laura Lamont your neighbor
only heard this morning thaty your baby
vas sick. end came over to rest you
little. Let ne carry him around little
while, / am sure your arms must ache
AUD without visiting Tor reply sh,
took the baby. who was so surprised Il
see the lovely face bending over him tina
be forgot 10 cry.
He Is not sick" said the mother, try
ING hard to keep back the tears; "he Ia,
tTetted ike Snat since he was born.
'cel sometimes as if I could rot bear i
sny longer. ] was awake halt the night
with bin aud now it is nearly time Il
get dinner, ana my breskfaSt-table no
cleared, nor bit OF work done. be
l.cve he tries 10 keep awake
why don't YOU try letting him crvg'
Il have 20, sometimes; but he cries ;.
hard I am afraid he will have spgsm.
We'll, trust aim with ne LITTLE while: :
lad laura began walking Up sud dow
90 Foon, singing low lullaby, whlsI