Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1882-08-24

why did you not tell me of this be-
fore?"
because 1 have begged so long in
vain. Ihad no money to pay Doctor,
and who would go forth on a night like
this without it?'
My blood boiled SO that l could not
answer. Could there be such men?
Alas reason told me that her words
were but too true. Without delay, I
gathered such things as I fancied Nigh
be of service, wrapped the delicate form
In heavy clook, and with few whis-
pered words Of comfort, We sailed out
together into the black night and 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
of dismal, cracking stairs into a room.
''Florence, is that your" l heard
asked by what my ears convinced me
was pair Of childish, almost infantile
lips.
Eyes, my darling. Lie still for a mo-
ment."
II am so glad. You have been SO very,
very long away, and am so cold and
hungry, and it is so dark, and I have
been so frightened at the strange
noises"
My fair guide has been making pre-
parations to Ortain light; but when
she heard the words she flew to the
other side of the room, and knew that
many warm kisses were given and re-
turned.
excuse me-" she said, as she return
ed and lighted the little remnant Of
candle. Excuse, but I had been so
long away from Bessie"
answered not. Her voice had
melody in it, now attuned by love,
that [ wished it to hnger on my ear
unbroken, like the strains of some
songs | have heard, and which haunted
me for years.
In moment the candle shed sickly
light around the room. Little indeed,
and unfinished to nothingness. One
scantily covered bed was all! But with
IN l saw sweet wee face that made me
forget all else. approached it and laid
my hand upon the pulse of the little
sufferer.
"Who are your" she asked, drawing
back in alarm.
"He is doctor, Bessie; dear, good,
kind friend" replied her sister; and
from that moment she became perfect
ly passive in my hands.
1t did not require one learned in the
science of MdteriG Medical to see what
was required. made the proper pre-
ScriptiOn, saw that it was tenderly adj
ministered, told the eldest sister that I
would be back in a few minutes, and re-
sisting all her attempts to light me
down stairs, CROPPED my way out into
the street. had noticed an eating
house at but little distance as we came
along; and statement of the case,
backed by the all-powerful king of the
world, gold, soon procured the loan of
a couple of chairs, fuel, light, and
proper food, and in brief half-hour
that little room wore something like an
air of comfort. Another hour and the
eyes of the child were closed in slum-
Der, and ] urged her sister also to seek
repOse, but in vain.
cat least lie down and let me cover
you with my cloak" urged.
" No, DOCTOR" was the constant re.
ply, / cannot. 1 am so happy. 1t
must have been God that directed my
wandering steps to you"
And SO we sat with the night wind
roaring without, watching the almost
angelic face of the peacefully slumber-
ing child-sat and talked of what |
was more than anxious to hear. But
the conversation of those long, dark
hours, can be condensed into a very
brief space.
She who would have sold her body
for the sake of giving little longer Of
life to her sister, was the daughter of
at least supposed wealth. But a few
years previously, she could have held
her head as high as the highest. Both
birth and education fitted her for it.
But misfortune came-a series of dis
asters upon the land and upon the sea
against which no human forethought
could guard, combined with treachery
and ingratitude of the deepest dye
swept away all. In their footsteps fol-
lowed the death of her mother, leav-
ing an infant of but few months old.
The fond father struggled against the
tide manfully for a brief time-then
his health gave wayne followed his
wife through the valley and beyond the
shining river, leaving the elder sister
provide for the younger.
For time," continued the poor
girl, / was able to live comfortably by
the sale of the furniture and articles of
value possessed. Then-why should
[ unbossom myself to a stranger : she
asked, stopping suddenly, and looking
me full in the face.
Because" [ replied with a smile, at
her earnestness; because you have
found a true heart, and one that can
feel for you"
eyes, may kind Heaven be thanked!
[ feel that it is so. Well, 1 struggled
on, no, fought were the better word, .
she continued, with the lines about her
mobile mouth becoming suddenly
hard-"I fought for life, sometimes
teaching, sometimes obtaining little
needle work; in short, doing anything
that my strength permitted, until i'll
ness come. Still gave no way to des-
pair. Truly, ] was bound to the stake
"a sweet one, my darling sister Of the
insults l received while seeking for
work, shall not speak"
"And found no employment"
"None! Piece by piece l parted
with the little furniture | was the pos
SCISSOR of, until what you see was all that
remained"
"My poor child |"
at is true"-I saw that she was nerv-
ing herself to tell me something that
was painful, very painful, and would