Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1880-07-31

WIG AuttlIiS oPPootc, anu O"uBC h"iii
sons granddaughter leaning against the
window and looking out into the stormy
darkness, "what are you going to do?"
II don't think quite know, doctor"
"You are 1862"
"Sixteen and half. SIR"
"And you cannot teach?"
"Oh, dear, no, sir !" Hilda shook
her head decidedly. 81 had no chance
for much education, travelling about as 1
did"
"Nor sew?"
"Not we'll enough to adopt it for
profession"
"Then, fU. all 1 can see, there is
nothing left but to go into domestic
service"
81 would take a place tomorrow,
doctor, if 1 could get good home and
decent wages" said Hilda, quickly.
"Good." said DIR. Hooper. "That is
the right spirit, child! don't fear but
what you'll make your way, in one di-
rectiOn or another. But 1 think I can
see something little more promising
ahead for you than that"
"What is it, doctor?"
II noticed the way you took care of
your poor father, Hilda, in his last i'll
ness. I thought then that you would
make q good nurse-I think SO now.
Thera is an opening in st. Francesca's
Hospital. A good home and 81 day."
"As nurse, doctor?"
"As nurse"
"And l should see you sometimes ?"
"Frequently--twice week at least"
Hilda pondered second or two, and
then came forward with glistening eyes
and red lips apart.
Doctor" said she. "I will try it,
And 80 Clement Harrison's grand
daughter donned the little muslin cap,
print dress, and white ruffled apron of
the St. FRANCISCAN corps Of nurses, and
set diligently to work earning her own
living.
A year passed by, and DR.. Wallace
sent word that nurse was wanted for a
smallpox case in the city. The Sister
Superior of the st. Francescans looked
obviously at her women.
"Who will go?" said she-and Hilda
Harrison stepped forward
"I will" said she. "T have no fears
of the contagiOn, and want to add to
my experience"
So little Hilda packed her bag ana
went.
The housekeeper of the great Fifth
avenue palace was wringing her hands,
half terrified out of her senses the
other servants had taken precipitate
leave.
"And Miss Lennox went this morn
ing," said she. II should think she
might have stayed"
"Who is Miss I,ennox? ?" questioned
innocent Hilda.
"The old gentleman's granddaughter
that he had brought up and petted like
a cosset lamb, said Nrs. Hurst. "Oh,
the ingrat,pde Of q he folk. And if
Judge Has ison dies-
Hilda locked up qunkly from the bot
ties Of carbolic acid she was unpacking.
"Is this Judge Harrison house?" said
she.
"why, Of course it is" answered Mrs.
Hurst. Didn't you know?"
"No, did not know" Hilda said.
." But of course it makes no difference
whose house it is."
"Who are you?" Judge Harrison
asked, hoArsely, Is the light foot crossed
the threshold.
II am the nurse from st. Ffancesca's.
They call me Hilda."
"Hilda what?"
"Never mind my other name" said
the young girl, with a gentle snthority
that had come to her from months of
practice at weary sick-beds. "They
call me HIda; and you are not to tai
and excite yourself"
"Do you know you are running a
great risk ?"
1T Is my business to run risks"
Three weeks elapsed. The crisis of
the disease was past. The old man,
weakened indeed, and sadly disfgured,
was able once more to sit up in his easy
chsir and Hilda. who had watched over