The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1880-04-09

her arms were tightly locked. She un-
derstood it all now. They had been
living on other peoples money, and
now the farm must 60 to pay their
debts.
A choking cough from the bedroom
reused her. She arose, gave Mamie q
drink, then finished up the evening
work with such an aching heart. Solo
mon dozed . while over an old diction-
airy, and finally shambled off up stairs
to bed. while Mandy remained with the
sick child.
Midnight came. and Mamie was
more restless and feverish. Two
three o'clock. Mandy could wait no
longer.
Solomon, get up, Mamie Is worse"
Cant you do something for herr"
asked he, turning heavily, making the
cord bedstead creak like an old door.
81 have done all can. We must have
the doctor.''
els it daylightp''
"No, nor won't be for two hours;
but it's starlight. Here. I'll leave the
lamp on the stairs. Now, do hurry, for
once" said Mandy, almost bitterly, as
she descended to the kitchen, where she
grabbed shawl and ran to q near
neighbor.
Yes, Mandy, I'll come as quick as
I can" was Mrs. Burk's answer to her
tap on the window. She flew back
home, found the lamp ON the stairs
where she had left it, and the house all
quiet.
"Where's Solomon?'' asked Mrs.
Burk, soon after her arrival.
"Gone after the Doctor"
"And none too soon," said the elder
lady, looking critically at the sick child.
There, don't cry, Mandy-hope for the
best"
Then she busted herself with the
countless deeds the sick-room suggests
to the experienced nurse. Yet, after
all was done, they still waited long and
anxiously for Solomon and the doctor.
Morning came, and the lamp was
blown out. Mandy heard shutting feet
in the kitchen. In an instant She was
there, and saw her husband, his hat
down over his eyes, standing before the
fire.
where's the doctorp''
"He'n be here directly" was the
evasive answer.
directly! Why didn't you bring
him with you? Did you tell him the
child was dyingF" asked Mandy,
wildly.
"I'n go right away" said he; "guess
it's daylight" And he shambled off
more rapidly than usual, while it
dawned on Mandy's mind that he was
Just starting. He had gone to sleep
again, and did not wake until morning.
One moment Mandy stood irresolute.
Her first thought was to run for the
doctor herself, her next that she must
not leave the little sufferer for one mo-
ment-it might-oh, could it be too
late?
"Oh, my Fatherr' she cried, with
eyes. And the Father heard
and sent her strength for this hour.
"Has the doctor Gomez" asked Mrs.
Burk, as Mandy returned to the sick
room.
"Not yet" replied Mandy, with
such apparent calmness that the kind
old soul suspected nothing wrong.
A strange feeling came over Mandy
while she watched the little girl-so
quiet now after the restless night. A
slight shivering passed over the child.
and the blue eyes opened wide and
looked appealingly at the mother.
mamie, are you 'fraid?'
The child shook her head feebly.
care you Jesus little lamb?"
Yes-Jesus -lamb," murmured the
thick voice of Mamie.
The mothers head sunk down on the
quilts, and little hand was laid softly,
fondly on her cheek.
After q while Solomon came. but
alone. Diphtheria claimed many pre-
cious victims that spring, and the doc
tor had been called in another direction
half an hour earlier. No matter, the
lamb was in the Upper Fold.
How Mandy lived through the sue
ceeding days those can best understand
whose only treasure lies buried in q
little grave. For such there is but one
sweet balm, one sure comfort.
A few weeks later the farm was sold;
and the entire proceeds therefrom did
not pay Solomon Boyd's debts.
Mandy said Uncle Zade. q dis
tant relative, who had remained with
them few days after the sale, "you
know that shop-lot of mine, over in
town. Che called Hardscrabble, town..
"well. you might move there for
awhile, until you can do BETTER.
Into that old shop?"
Eyes; it won't be so bad for this
That back room, where the
turning-lathe was, has good floor. The
boards on the roofs slipped round so
that it leaks some, but Solomon can
easy fix that, and put hinges on the
door, too"
Mandy sighed.