The National tribune., 1882-04-22
LEAVES FROM LOST DIARY.

1t was only a pocket diary, and the finder,
who had picked it up on a street crossing, was
half inclined to toss it back into the gutter,
but on second thoughts put it into his pocket,
and when he reached his Office proceeded to
examine il at his leisure AT first he pcruscd
it with but languid air, but as he read he
became more and more interested in its con-
tents until he finally startled the clerks by
jumping up suddenly, putting on his hat, and
bolting through the door as if he had been sent
to summon q doctor III case Of life or death.
What was the cause of this singular behavior?
One of the clerks. more curious than the rest,
picked up the diary and read:
JAN 1.-This, [ fear, is the last New Years
day l shall ever see. 1 feel that am steadily
breaking down. Called at Mrs --, but could
see that the ladies We're not pleased to see a
ghost at their sideboard.
Jan lot was very imprudent in me to
venture out New Years day. l have had
another seige of it. and | think the doctors
were inclined to believe that [ would never
rally again. However, / am now strong
enough to travel, and | shall start for Florida
tomorrow. l Shall see the roses bloom again,
after all.
Feb. IL have been here nearly three weeks.
The air is soft and mild, and it seems good to
be still in this beautiful world; but am no
better. l suffer less perhaps, but am tired
oh. so tired!
Feb. 22-This is Washngton's birthday, and
/ can see that the Flag is flying from the flag
staff or the hotel. 1t is so hard to realize that
year ago l was as strong and active as any of
these young officers who have come over from
the fort tosattend the ball this evening. The
days pass Slowly, and | am so anxious to get
well. Sometimes 1 think they have sent me
here only to die.
March S-The doctors have given me up.
They say L may live months yet, or perhaps
only few weeks. | am glad to know the
worst And yet the world is so beautiful, and
l am so Young.
March ID had letter from home today.
Ny brother VIII sent me box of pills which
he wants me to try-as if l had not already
tried everything. He is dear, good fellow,
but such an innocent!
March 27.-I can hardly believe it, yet I
certainly 90 feel better. Can it really be the
pills? / concluded to try them, after ALL Just
out of consideration for Wills feelings. DIR.
Fosters Bitter Tonic Pills"-that is how the
label reads l wonder what they contain?
April 1O.--I start for home tomorrow l
am weak still, and thin, but oh! so much
better! The doctors think it is the air that
has done it-they forget that L was dying in
this balnly air only a few weeks ago.
April 15.-Home again, and determined to
get well. l am actually gaining flesh. The
pills are certainly curing me.
And that was all. The clerk smiled, tossed
the little diary aside, and went back to his
work Had he followed his companion he
would have seen him embracing a big, burly
fellow, and heard the latter say: So you
found that miserable little diary of mine. did
you, and didn't know, till you saw my name
III it, that | was in the land Of TIE living?
Yes, it is all true. | had narrow escape. but
as you see | have pulled through, after ALL