Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1880-05-04
Are you. going down town

world. Are you going down town
no,v?"
"Yes." AUt
I wish you'd stop and ask DR.. Hart
to 8 top here this morning; little Clar-
enc,s is feverish."
"4Anything serious ?"
II hope not" the mother answered,
but / always like to take those things
in time"
DIR. Hart leaned over Clarence's little
crib. He involuntarily uttered the
name of some malignant type of fever,
just then raging in the city.
II wish that you had sent for me be-
fore. I fear that it is too late to secure
the exemption of your little ones. But
with constant care we may save the lit
tie fellow. You have good nurse ?"
AN excellent one. I can trust Ma
talia as I would myself"
You are fortunate," said the doctor
He had scarcely closed the door, when
Natalla came to her mistress.
my month expires tomorrow, mad
am; will you pay me my wages, and
let me take my departure at once?"
but, Natalia, the baby is sick"
Zones first duty is to ones self; I
would not risk the infection for twice
what you pay me-"
And Natalia packed her trunk and
departed without ccming into the nur-
sery to bid little Clarence goodbye
The cook was next to give warning.
Matilda, the laundress, took herself off
without any preliminary ceremony.
II am going, too," said the seam
stress. MRS. Arnott wouldn't have
lifted her finger if we'd been dying,
and believe in doing to others as they
do to me-"
And almost before she knew it, the
stricken mother was left alone by the
bedside Of her suffering babe. Neigh
bOrs crossed on the other side of the
old; friends contented themselves with
sending in to inquire; even hired nurses
avoided the malignant fever.
us there no one to help me? ?n she
moaned, wringing her white jeweled
womanly sympathy died out of the
world ?" -.
A slight noise caused her to turn, and
Kathleen O'Neil was at her side, busy
arranging the table.
II thought you, too, had gone, Kath-
leen !" she cried.
"Sure, ma'atn. what should I be go-
ing for ?" asked K8thleen, simply, "and
the bits of children sick. and you In
sore trouble! nursed the little broth
ers and sisters at home, and I know just
what needs to be DONE"
And she took little Clarence in her
arms with soft tenderness that went
to the mothers heart
"Are you not afraid, Kathleen ?"
"What should I be afraid of, ma'am
Isn't Gods sky over us all, whether it's
the green banks of ireland, or the
church steeple of this great, confusing
city? Oh, ma'am, he'll rot take that
bonny baby from u.s."
All Mrs. ,Arnott's children had the
fever-last of all she vas prostrated by
it-and Kathleen watched over every
one. faithful, true and tender.
Kathleen" Mrs. Arnott said, the
first day she sat up, the Irish girl ar
ranging the pillows about her wasted
form, "Oh, Kathleen, don't deserve
this"
"Sure, ma'am, if we all had our de-
serts in this world, it's sorry place it
would be, I'm thinking" laughed
Kathleen.
''But, Kathleen. I was cruel to you
so perfectly heartless !"
I'VE won't talk of it ma'am, DEAR"
said Kathleen evasively. w. -
"But, say just once that you forgive
me?' pleaded the lady once so naughty.
81 forgive you. ma'am, as free as the
sunshine" Kathleen answered softly.
'And you'll stay with me always and
be my friend, Kathleen ?"
eff God wills it ma'am."
And Mrs. Arnott put her lips to kiss
the fresh, cool cheeks of Irish kathleen.
The years that have passed since then
have made men and women of the little
people that Kathleen nursed through
the fever, and strangers visiting Mrs.
Arnott scarcely know what to make of
the plump. comely, middle aged woman
who moves about the house apparently
as much at home in it as the mistress
herself-who is consulted about every
thing. that is trusted with all secrets.
''Is she housekeepeF, or q eeryent, or
a relative?" some one once asked.
Mrs. Arnott replied, "She is my true
and trusted friend, Kathleen O'Neil. !"