The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1881-12-16

f Here we are again, my friend continued,
coming to a stop before the door of a more
modern and more pretentious house. My
youngest sister lives here. 1t seems singu-
/ lar, doesn't it, that have never introduced
( you to my relatives before The truth is,
/ you and / are only perplexities to these good
/ people. We turn them out of their beaten
/ tracks for awhile, with no other result than
/ to add to their work and anxieties. Ten
years ago my sister Anna was at healthy
1 girl as there was in Vermont, and the bright
est and wittiest one in the family. 1 had
some hopes that she would keep out of the
/ treadmill, and, if she did, marry a farmer
and settle down here, that she would furnish
an example of common sense to her neigh
/ bors but she is just like the rest, worse, per
! haps."
All this as the doctor hitched her horse,
and we walked up the long graveled walk
/ Sister Anna was scolding one of her chill
dren as we entered the house, and we were
| upon her before she finished her loud pitch
ed harangue
81 don't believe any one ever had such con-
trary youngsters as have got'' she remark
ed, apologetcaIly "Thev do worry me
so sometimes that it seems to me I should
enjoy myself in my grave
"Send a couple to me- Anna, whenever
you feel like parting with them" said the
doctor.
81 would in a minute if their father was
willing" the lady replied. Il don't know
how to bring up children, - she added, 'and
if I did know how l haven't any time To
tell the truth, [ have such a pain in my side
all the time shat I'm not fit for anything.
wish you'd give me some Of that medicine,
Mary, that you gave me last summer
q suppose you work just az hard Anna,
as though you hadn't pain in your side -
the doctor remarked
"Of course do" was the somewhat irri-
table response. "WhO else is there to do it.
II give up?"
'Where is the pain, Anna, and how long
have you had it 90
The doctors tones were even, and her
manner so calmly professional that I had at
tie time no suspicion that any of it was as
sumed
TT is under my left shouIder-blade,' - her
sister replied "and haven't breathed a long
breath since last November. Sometimes it
is worse than others, and am conscious Of
it every minute
The doctor drew chair to her sisters side
and took her hand in hers.
'Dear me, Mary, my pulse is all right, -
said the invalid, doing her best to make light
Of the situation.
''How many men does your husband hire
this summer, Anna 90 the doctor inquired as
she prepared some medicine.
"Only six this year"
'And you cook and wash for them, sup
pose?"
"Of course"
How many cows have you"
Fourteen"
''And YOU make butter for market %
Sister Anna smiled as she answered this
question.
81 average about sixty pounds week.
''What time do you get up in the morn
ing?"
"AbOut four O'clock
''What time do you go to bed 20
Anywhere from ten to twelve :" and
then, with glance in my direction, ''you
see, farmers have to keep ahead of time. II
they didn't manage to do this they couIdnt +
lay up anything to save their lives"
Gamma" said the doctor, taking no noti,e
of the above remark, 81 intend to stay il
Vermont month, unless I am needed in
New York Would you like me to take
charge of your case during that time 20
My case" - her sister repeated, in great
perpIeXitv. 81 don't suppose I shall need
anything more than that medicine
81 viii gladly do all l can for you, Anna, 81
the doctor resumed, "and when am com
PEELED to go back 1 viii leave you in good
hands but it must be on condition of the
most perfect obedience on your part. Yor
have hard coughing spells every morning, Dc
you not 90
eyes, Mary, but how ir the world did yor
know that 90
''Ne matter how 1 know it. That I dc
know is sufficient. To begin with, Anna
your husband must find other places for hi.
wOrkmen, and some one must be found i'm
uediately to do your housework. You
must 90 to bed every night at eight and re
main in bed until after breakfast Yor
must have all sorts of nourishing food, and
pork, and Goldfish must be eliminated from
your bill Of fare"
Mary, what do you mean?''
There was a look of terror in the poor wo
mans eyes, and her lips quivered painfully
'1 mean, If you do exactly as l tell yor
you may get well; if not, it is impossible, .
t the doctor replied. eff you think L am ex
aggerating or don't know what I am talking
about, send for any reputable physician you
please and ask HIM to tell the truth"
90, Mary There isn't any way Of dong
the things you speak Of. Clarke feels aw
= fully Door this summer, and have beer
trying harder than ever to make the ends
lap over"
"Where IS Clarke o. the doctor inquired
''He's down at the creek, haying"
81 will drive down and have a talk with
him right away" said my friend, making
ready to leave.
80, Mary! Don't you think there is any
other wav?''
The poor woman had broken down com
pletely now, and the doctor held her for 2
moment f.. her strong arm aud caressed her
fondiy.
''No other way, sis, - she replied ''but We
will do the best we can. There's no telling
what good rest and careful nursing may do
for your poor tired body, my dear"
Il was going TO take You to some other
places the doctor remarked, as we dro We
away, "but it would have been the same old
story, work. work, work, without rest or
change, from years end to years end. Ny
mother killed herself by her attempts to get
ahead OF slime. Two sisters have travelled
the same road that Anna has started on. one
OF them absolutely dropping dead in her