Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-09-10

before nave L loved you, Mary, ana our
child. as now, and"
Yet" she responded hoarsey. "you
will give us TO the most loathsome and
horrible death without raising a hand to
save"
The effort he made to keep command of
self was almost superhuman. He paused
in his rapid walking to listen for mo-
ment to the pleadings as for life passing
over the wires, and then placing the baby
in the arms of his wife and taking both
within his arms, he continued:
Mary, you are not yourself, or you
would not talk thus. know your gcner-
ous, noble heart too well. Your hands
are hot, your cheeks feverish, your brain
warped. Never before have you urged
me to dishonor, and would not now but"
" You are right" she said, and drawing
down his white face and kissing him.
" Love has made me selfish. | can but
think of you, of our child. No; will not
urge you to go. The most holy duty binds
you here. But do not send us away from
you" she pleaded. Permit me TO re-
main, ,and''-she paused to gather strength,
and then quickly finished the sentence
" and if death must come, let it find us
together"
Now he said, drawing her still more
closely to him, and with the twin lights of
pride and affection burning in his eyes,
you are again my true and noble wife.
God bless you! Let us hope and pray for
the best. And gladly would l hold you
both thus forever-gladly, the angels
above know how gladly, give my life for
you, my darings. That cannot be. Hark !
Even now an called. Rest you here.
You may not be as comfortable here rs rs
at home; but l cannot spare you from my
sight for single moment. All, doctor!''
Livery hour proves more FATAL replied
the pbysican-one of the noble men who
remained to battle for the sake of human
ity and lay down their lives for others
land our ranks are fast thinning. We
must have assistance. 1t breaks my heart
10 refuse, but am obliged to turn II deaf
ear to many. Telegraph to every northern
city that we are helpless, are suffering for
everything. What Your wife and child
hereP This is no place for them.'
" The place of a wife," answered the
woman, proudly raising her head and
looking squardly at him, sin such an hour
as this is by the side of her husband.
Here he must stay-here will stay also"
The physician looked admiration and
astonshment. In the dark hour he had
seen so much of human baseness that this
shonc out as a star in the darkest night.
lie gave few directions to the husband,
listened to the clicking far away, the plea
for pity; then taking seat by the side of
the young and devoted wife, and clasping
one hand within his own, he continued:
"You are a precious, noble woman, and
may God bless you!'
And my husband? For many days and
|, doctor, think Of how much depends upon
his life."
"More, more than you can possibly
imagine. But | have and will keep close
watch of him. There is no one in this
city who could not better be spared. We
are quarantincd; mails are forbidden for
fear of spreading the contagion, and.
should he fail us, all communication will
cease, and we, indeed be given over to
DEATH
But, doctor, look more closely at him.
See how ghastly pale and red he is by
turns. May he not already be stricken by
the fatal disease? May not the seeds be
even now fostering within him?" and her
face was tortured and hands wrung with
the agony she dared not speak.
The physician comforted the poor, ,strick-
en- heart as we'll rs he was able; talked rs
chcerily as he dared under such universal
shadow; promised to look in again at the
earliest moment: made her lie down; and
covered herself and child as warmly as the
means at hand permitted. Then he again
drew near the operator,and under pretense
of giving further instructions, whispered
impressively:
You are not Well-must take better
care of yoursef-even now you are suffer-
ing"
More than even you know. Could |
but get away, my life might be saved.
Here it will be sacrificed. But for the love
of Heaven hint it not to my poor wife.
Already she is suffering more than she can
bear. Let her hope while she may, and
when am gone may those for whom
died remember the widow and the orphan,
made SO that they might live"
A silent clasping OF hands WAS all, It'll
was a spirit-telegraph from the soul of one
noble man TO another. No words were
needed. The bond of unsellish brotherhood
could not have been more perfect, and the
one went forth to brave infection and
and awaited its coming.
/, Others called in from time to time, ask
ing news from the various God-stricken
cities, and if there was any hope Of succor
from distant friends. To the one sad
answer had ever 10 be returned, to the
other II blessed promise. Even then steam
was bringing with its utmost swiflness the
much needed aid. The response had been
hearty--help had not been sought in vain.
And so the instrument licked the dark
hours away. the operator faithfully finger
ing the keys, listening to the tongues that
spoke afar, and whispering comfort to his
agopzed wife. But from duty he was
called suddenly and fearfully. and u mes
sage was left unfinished, rs IL deep groan
and then sharp cry rang upon his ears.
=" Husband, l am very sick. 0 God!
our child!'
1t needed no second glance from the
physician, who CHANGED to then return, to
convince him that the loving mother was
consumed by fever, and the little one rap
idly passing from earth to answer the
heavenly summons of " Come unto Me-"
- knew hours ago." she whispered to
, the physician, las her husband walked away
: to procure some needed article, " that it
would be thus; but | have kept it from
, my dear husband for fear of entirely dis
heartening him. Tell me, doctor, is there
the slightest chance of recoveryP"
, " dare not breathe words of false con
solaton," he replied, shaking his head
sadly, 'when both are so near the grave
, so trembling upon the verge of eternity.
You have the fever, and of the most
malignant type, and"
} " My hours are numberedP
Even So"
} "And my darling, my childp"
L" 1t will be among the angels to well
come you"
Wish eyes from which tears could not
; be banished, he gave the next to useless
medicine. and with a sinking heart turned
away to tell the husband.
81 know all you would say, Doctor" was
the answer" have felt it for u long time,
, though have endeavored TO deceive my
heart with false hopes. But does she. my
wife, even dream l have but a brief time
I to livep"
I