Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-09-03
4aisfeIIarreOus.
fCon,inued from Yesterday. J


acter Is the very carriage o. his backbone.
Firm in the measures he took to pre-
serve his own health, he brought daily TO
the diseased. denoralized, aud weak pa
tients . tonic in his very presence, more
potent than any conveyed by his medi-
cines.
One bright morning he passed along
through the irregular rooms Of the old
building, among the variously disposed
sufferers. with touch Of care and word
Of cheer, till he stood by the bed-a little
apart-of man Of stalwart build, but
with an air of reckless encouragement APP
parent even in his PROSTATE body. His
lace was turned away from the doctor. his
head buried low in the pillow. His thick
brown hair looked hravy. aud his hand
lay lifeless, though the brown Of exposure
was not yet faded off DIR. Russell stopped.
but the man did not recognize his approach,
though it was easy to see that his blue
eyes were wide open. Aither minute
the doctor said:
Kenneth. don't see that can do any
thing more for YOU"
The man turned then, and in 4 startled
tone, said:
What do you mean ?''
More than once he had heard those
words spoken in soft. kind tones. by the
side OF some poor fellow whose remain
ing hours. or minutes. proved to be few.
though, neither the patient nor those near
est him had known of close danger be
fore. The voice was rather colder now,
and he had no reason to expect death yet
he was for an instant aroused. DIR. Rus
sci stood with folded arms. looking dow n
at him with an expression unusual 10 his
face. but said, quietly:
you are not going 10 die at present. |
Judge, nor ever, think, for believe you
are two-thirds dead now
Right. Doctor
And the man actually raised himself on
his elbow. But DR.. Russell had not the
habit Of telling his patients the exact pur-
poses OF his treatment, nor OF showing
instant satisfaction at results, and he con
tinued. in rather an apathetic tone;
I'm disappointed in you. | worked
hard to save you, thinking either YOU, or
some one else. would be glad but il had
had to bury you should know what to
enter in nv notebook better than ! do
now. For in ten days past you ought to
have been man in the world instead Of
log. lying here. I'm not proud OF my
case. cant see that you have any ties
with man, woman. or God. Your pulse
is fair, but it does not connect with any
life-spring what is it good for"
doctor. you have been good 10 me.
but will prove to you that am not
worth saving don't know but I have
II mother-a good one-and have not
seen her, or written one word to her. tor
ten years"
The doctor drew himself up still taller,
folded his arms still tighter. and looked
as if he would not speak again, but after
little. said
IL never was so tempted to take n
mans word when he spoke for himself.
rs am now. | have one more prescrip-
ton. ! promise you il shall be the last.
and if had anything less than the undi-
luted. genuine article, | would not try it.
You have mothcr-she has II God. and
the blood OF Jesus Christ. Ills sou. cleans
eth Us from al sim Good-by, Kenneth. -
The doctor came no more. Kenneth lay
and thought Old lessons and old loves
kept gathering around that mighty text.
launched int his soul. and the Master.
Himself. touched to life both soul and
body. He crept out into the sunshine.
and the sunshine poured lovingly over
him. He strengthened fast. One day he
mailed letter. and few days later he
started northward.
The day on which our story commences
wore on. and ut the time OF the new even
ing mail Mrs. Kenneth was again waiting
patiently. The eye Of the postmaster had
real excitement as he tried to be de
liberate. in word and deed. in passing out
a business looking letter. saying:
.Yes, Mrs. Kenneth. there's letter for
YOU. to-day. Will you come in and read
it?"
Thank YOU. No. sir"
And the step of woman who could
erpect n letter for ten years was As firm rs
ever as she walked home. The grey
shawl and the darkeniug eye could have
told all about It, little later. she laid
the open letter on Margarct's lap. and she
with dropped work and suddenly paled
cheek. read
'MoTHER-Write me one line. tn the
enclosed address. and in four days | will
be with you. have enough for YOU and
me. and have found your God.
Your penitent son.
Donald KENFErH."
Before the closing of the next out-go-
ing mail. Ellen Kenneth raised a letter at
the familiar window, with the quietly
spoken words;
MY son is coming home, Mr.. Knight. =
The scholarly white hand within grasp
ed hers warmly. and the lordly words
sprang from his lips
Thy faith hath made thee whole"
Four days later. the cottage was at its
best-the linen snowy. the plants like
June. the best china at the front. canary.
picture, and book expectant. and the
mother radiant. Margaret alone was ill
at ease. Hope. fear. memory, and visions
all were confusing her to the depths of
her soul. She had been firm in her pur-
pose to so away. though knowing nothing
of Donald's plans, insisting on breaking
mp and dismantling the pretty rooms that
had been so long her own. And she
stood now. in hat and gloves. looking lin
geringly and lovingly around. when Mrs
Kenneth came in.
Maggie. have not forgotten that this
is your birthday she said. Put this
wee bit of package in your bag. dear.
with nv love aud motherly wishes.
And she kissed her. calling her her ain
lassie.
With the fourth sunset came Donald.
and long he sat at his mothers feet. rs in
the old days. until the years of absence
4. IL a