Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1882-12-21

"But you aren't going to die. mlnd
you, madam.
You're a stranger here, Mrs. Jones
tells me.
What's your name ?"
I'm stranger, sir, and would have
stayed where l was if I'd dreamed l was
going to be such n dreadful trouble.
Smallpox, yes, my daughter told
me she knew it WAS smallpox.
"My names Morrison, doctor, and
I'm from Brighten on visit to my
daughter, whom hayen't seen for five
years, but she was afraid"
Morrison |" DIR. Ogden repeated, a
curious little snap IN his voice.
1--WE heard the name before.
80 your daughter wouldn't have you
at her home, ELI ?"
"You couldn't hardly blame her
Jessie's young, pretty and gay, and
girls is thoughtless, you know.
Maybe you know ner-Jessie Nor
rison, sir, in Hewling i Donaldsons
dry goods store p
DR.. Ogden's eyes twinllled oddly as
he buttoned up his oyercoat.
1--WE heard of her" he said.
"And you haven't seen her for FIVE
years p
"Not until couple OF days ago, sir.
"You see, can't get away-beinG IN
service-very often. but I'll heard Jessie
was going to be married tn as tine
young gentleman as there was in the
world, and l cIaYed so to see her and
talk it over with her.
"She always was high-minded, ambit-
ious, Jessie was, and wasn't surprised
when L heard it; and, of course. l
couldn't blame her for not letting me
stay with her a few days, when she
found | was i'll with such symptoms.
"Well, don't agree with you" he
answered.
"Your daughter was bound to take
care of you you wouldn't have turned
her out of your home If she had brought
a pestilence with her.
II don't admire your daughter over
and above, madam-a girl who would
allowed her old mother to live out at
service, while she Is earning fair wages
and dresses as fine as your daughter
does
"Then you've seen her doctor2
"You know how pretty and stylish
she Is.
Il don't mind it bit, and Mrs. Jones
isn't afraid of the disease for she's had
it, and her husband, too.
"Ive got few dollars saYed up, and
I'll give it to her.
II was going to buy Jessie coral pin
she wants SO bad, but she'll have to 60
without it now.
"What terrible pity" DIR. Ogden
said sarcasticaily.
"Now, Mrs. Morrison, | want you to
take your medicine regularly, and fol-
low every direction L give you, and in a
little whlle you'll be all right"
And then DR.. Ogden hustled away to
change his clothes ana fumlgate his. hair
and whiskers before he went home.
At luncheon that day, Carroll Eytin9
looked gloomy and depressed, ami be-
fore the meal was over he broke the
months silence"
Il dare say you will object, uncle
John, but would be thankful if you'd
go and see Jessie.
"She's halfill, and dreadfully nervous,
having been exposed to small-pox-a
miserable begging creature from the
city forced herself upon her day or so,
ago who at the time was sickened from
the scourge herself.
'It is shameful, positively shameful
that there Is such laxity in our health
laws as to"
DIR. Ogden interrupted the indignant
speech coolly.
There are things more shameful,
my boy.
See here, Carroll if was to get
the smallpox would You kick me- out,
send me to the hospital
"What would you do ?"
Carroll looked questiongly.
"Kick you out
"Send you to the hospital
why uncle John, you don't think
me capable Of"
That's enough.
"Of course you wouldn't.
80 you're afraid Miss Morrison's
coming down with the smallpox, are
you? ....
II don't suppose you'd marry her if
she turns out pock-marked and scanty-
haired, and"
"Pd marry her no matter how her
beauty was spoiled
II loved jessie, not her face, " Carroll
said hotIy.
"Tien, if her beauty of character
was spoiled, her womanhoOd tarnished
by mean, despicable deed, you'd give
her upY"
Carroll flushed.
81 would-but it Is an impossibility.
"Will you go and see her, uncle
Jobn-as my betrothed wife p
And then DIR. Ogden laid down his
napkin, and dstood up, and looked soelmn-