River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1882-08-24
4 STRA>GE OFFER.

"WlH you buy my DOdy, SIT!
The question was repeated the sec
ond time before had sufficiently re-
covered myself-before | was convinc-
ed that it was no ill.omened bird, but
one of human semblance at least. Yet
the request was so utterly unusual, so
much at varian e with all preconceived
notions of barter and sale, that all |
could do was to push chair toward
the intruder and stand in silent won
derm emf.
In a few moments the self command
which | had learned during Hospital
practice came to my aid, and l saw
that my visitor was Il wOman-glrl, ra-
ther, for she could not have been more
than 10 or 20 at the utmost; and that
if it had not been for the extreme pal
lor of the face, pinched-up look about
the mouth, and tie sad, sunken eyes,
she VINO have possessed-far more than
is ordinarily the case the rare gift of
beauty.
The Pickering light of the fire flashed
upon the soft brown hair, giving it
more golden glory, and, dissolving the
snOwflakes that had lodged there, made
them glitter like liquid pearls. This
much, and that the dress and shawl
were of the cheapest material, and but
IL poor defense against the bowling
storm and pitiless cold, and the strange
request darted with Lightning rapidity
through my brain.
Draw nearer the fire." said. You
are numbed. Warm yourself, and"
have no time-must not stay,
she answered, with sigh, though she
dropped heavily into chair, and
brushed away the snowdrops from her
face with her thin hands.
Without waiting for further remon-
STRANGE, | FASTENED 10 get some reviv-
ing medicine, of which | saw she stood
SO much in need, and with gentle force
held 1t to her llps.
/ cannot-I cannot !" she gasped,
half pushing it away.
" You must" | insisted. Remem-
BIER, am n surgsOn, that this Is pre-
scription-t your life may depend
on it."
"Liie o God how long and sad.
Will it save my life? Will it give me
strength ?"
That certainly is the object l have
in urging you to take it. What else
should it be?'
a." Give it me-"
And she swallowed it without muir
muir! save che of thankfulness.
| wheeled her chair up nearer to the
ire, stirring the Goals to a more bril-
liant glow, hoping that the potion
would quiet her excitement, wake the
chilled blood to warmer and swifter
flow, and that sleep would follow.
And, for moment | fancied | was
right. The little hands dropped nerv-
ously into her lap; the softly-veiled
lids dropped over the deep blue eyes;
the head fell forward upon the breast.
But, alas it was only a momentary
delusion. In another instant she sprang
to her feet again, pressing her hands
to her temples, as if to still their
throbbings, and looked wildly around.
"Oh, Heaven! !" she exclaimed. 'T
here amid warmth and comfort-and-
and"
Convulsige sobs checked her further
utterance.
''Sit down and tell me the reason of
your being here" | almost command
ed as / placed her in the chair.
"Ah | remember all now. Remem-
Der Is there no such word as forget
fulness? Yes, | remember all. came
here-tO-tO-"
BE calm. | understand that you
are in need, and came for assistance"
II came" she replied, and looked
upon me with such utter despair, and
spoke so calmly, that it made my
blood run cold, 81 came. doctor, to sell
you my body"
Was | talking to sane woman or d
maniac? the latter was certainly my
thought, but | could discern nothing
in the clear blue eyes or the wander
ings of insanity.
."Great heavens ?" exclaimed, laying
my fingers upon her pulse, with the
expectation OF finding it bounding
with race-horse activity, but on the
contrary, finding it more calm than
my own Great Heavens! you cannot
be in earnest
Il am in earnest-God alone knows
how much am in earnest! 1t was my
last resort. VIII you buy ii? Will you
give me some money for lt?',
And she reached out her hand toward
me as miser would have done when he
heard the sound of jingling gold.
'How can purchase it? You are yet
alive"
But | will soon die. and then-then
you can claim it. For the love of
Heaven, give me a httle--ust little
money! And the hitherto dry eyes
were flooded with tears.
"Why do you wish to sell ii? You
cannot but understand that it is an I'M
heard-of proceeding. Our profession
never purchase bodies (how | shud-
dered as | gazed into her face, while [
was forcing myself calmly to utter
these worlds "before death, no matter
what we may do after"
~ know i'll know it; but | must
have money. and there are no other
means left To me to getit. | must have
it-instantly."
And she would have risen again, but
resolutely held her down.
For what purpose do you wish it,
"To purchase food, fire, medicine.
For YOURSELF
'Ah, no. Had that been the case,
would never have come hither. Iwould
have laid down in the gutter and died.
God knows how willingly. But tell me. -
she continued almost tiercely, twill
YOU give NE SOEllt ltlOIiGN L ulUSl ldN z
til must have it,
III not for yourself, in the name of
Heaven, for whom have YOU made such
terrible sacrifice? Is it one that is
very near and dear to your
at is-is-nIy little sister"
The words dropped from her tongue
as they might have done from that OF
an angel, and her face wore holy
light rs if she had already been star
crowned
Dying dying! and l sitting idly
here"
Why did You not tell me of this be
foIt?'
Because l have begged so long in
vain. | had no money - pay a Doctor,
and who would so forth on q night ike
this without III"
Ny blood boiled SO that | could not
answer. Gould there be such men?
Alas! reason told me that her words
were but too true. Without delay, |
gathered such things as fancied might
be of service, wrapped the delicate form
in a heavy clook, and with a few whis-
pered words of comfort, We sailed out
togsther into the black night aud merci-
less storm and cold.
Fortunately, the distance We had TO
travel was short one. A few houses
passed, and she led me up several flights