Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1880-04-01
A FRAGMENT FROM TWO LIVES.

years ago stage coach made a detou1
through one of the mountainous regions
OF Pennsylvania, and stopped at the
house Of a preacher. It was an old
brown house nj the foot oR . .te-1e--v-l.,
seemingly as remote from from civiliza.
ton as the heart of an Arabian desert.
The Rev. Paul Hume had already spent
here, so far as vitality went, the best
years Of his life. He had of, late been
glad to find the old rebellious lonqings.
the fierce ambition and latent hope Of the
future, becoming more dim and dull, and
began to believe as the years went by he
would be able to live out those allotted to
him honorably and in measure resign
edly. He had given up the old foolish
fondness for putting fire and fervor in y
long Sunday discourse. He was quite
content that some of his congregation
should sleep quietly through the sermon,
and others ruminate over whatever flesh
" aggravation or joy was uppermost in
their minds. Probably his sole spiritual
companion, even in the degree suited to
her capacity, was his serving woman
Hagar-black, straightforward, reticent,
but given to bursts of religious enthusi-
asm that in a measure relieved the dull
monotony of the life they lived alone
together.
Hagar ought to have known her mas
ter better than to believe he would refuse
succor to any helpless fellow creature,
and it was foolish for her to shorten the
chain that barred the door that night in
March when the driver of the coach
begged that they should take temporary
care Of q sick passenger. She had been
getting worse and worse, the driver said.
for the last ten miles, and, "seein' there
was no hotel nor hospital nor nothin'
handy" he had made bold to bring her
to the parsons house. But Hagar shook
the crimson turban on her fine Egyptian
head and declared it was not the parsons
business to risk his life with residential
fevers.
Even as she spoke, however, the par
son had Embossed the chain, and goneout
in his scant gown and close cap to the
coach, and lifted the poor woman out in
his strong arms. Hagar followed him
and his burden up the stairs, and the
Light from her candle fell upon tangled
curls and braids, bits of ribbon, and
strip of embroidered lace that hung from
the head Of the sick woman, gold chain
about her neck, and other personal gew-
gaws that appealed to the contempt of
Hagar.
The lady's trunks had been bumped in
after her, and presently they had to be
pried open, for the lad y's lips and eyes
we're closed, and she could not tell Hagar
where the key lay to these fine treasures.
But Hagar went to work with will,
and the preacher had saddled his gray
cob and started off op his. 6ue-naile jour
ney across the mountain for doctor.
Hagar had put aside the ribbons and
bits of travelling adornment for long
white muslin robe, which struck the
preachers heart with chill somehow.
and made him speed the pony on his way.
The doctor had some broken bones to
set, and told Mr.. Hume, frankly, that 80
far rs fevers and disorders of that kind
went, that black woman of his was worth
a dozen ordinary practitioners, and that
he had longcounted upon her in extremi-
ties of that sort; and trotting over to
MI. Hume's the next morning, the doc
tor called out to the parson to know if he
was not right about the capability of
Hagar. The sick lady's wrists and an
kles were bandaged mp with cooling
herbs, and the strength ofzsome7 cooling
decoctlon OF Hagar's reached the sur
geon's nostrils. The pupils of the eyes
were dlated little, crimson flush
burned in the cheeks of the unfortunate
traveller; but the doctor declared that
Hagar was doing well, and, with good
care, in week or 50 the journey could
be pursued. tS}.sN@ u.# .8%S 4
AS yet the parson had been alone con-
cerned for her safety; for many days it
did not occur to him that the condition
OF his guest appealed to tribute of his
nature save pity and reverence. Hagar,
however, strongly disapproved of femi-
nine charms, especially when the owner
endeavored to add to them by frivolity
Of dress or sdemeanor. The poor lady, 4
who felt that she owed, perhaps, her very
life to fhsss good people ca are1 aandshf,
opened her heart to Hagar, and told her
all about her long journey from the Pa
cltic coast, where she: had lost her hus-
band many years; since she had 1onged to |
come home to the east, but dreaded, as
well she might, the dreary waste of miles
between. Hagar knitted stolidly on,
and listened, but not With that absorbed
interest," That the minister gave to the |
story of the traveller. s&1 ~ - }Ita@ $685. |,
Mrs. Delplaines was too i'll to be left !
long alone, and Hagar had her house
hold duties to attend to, 80 that the min.
!ster was often compelled ato bring his
book and make the sick. room his study.
This chamber, which had been some
what bare and desolate, suddenly became
glowing and warm, and made sharp
contrast with the room on the lower floor.
lined With moth eaten volumes and chok-
ng with accumnlati hing DUST q Mrs. Del
blaine had begged that q few sticksmiq
be lighted on. the hearth, and had plead
I'd that az quantity Of light ws1reanip WRAPS and
;hawlg shpn1d be taken from her itrunks I
g soften the glare ct the windows. to 7
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