The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1883-02-09
WHOLE NO. 700.
MRS. THEODORE rILToN.
Compelled by Poverty to Serve as "a Hired
Nurse.

Compelled by Poverty to Serve IA Hired
Nurse.
1t Is reported that Mrs. Theodore Tilton
recently found 1t necessary, owing to her
straitened financial condition, TO hire herself
out as a nurse. The wife Of a ma
val surgeon, who resides in Monroe street,
Brooklyn, was very i'll at Christmas time
and, in the absence Of her husband, WHO is
at present in the West Indies, was waited
upon night and day by her father. 1t be.
came necessary to engage a nurse, and the
family physician agreed 10 get one. Soon
after veled lady called and said she sas
the nurse recommended by the doctor. She
was taken to the sick loom by the father Of
the patient, and he at once withdrew. The
door had no sooner closed than the nurse
advanced ~ the side Of the lady and modest
ly ANNOUNCED that she was the wife Of Theo.
dore Tilton, and that her circumstances were
Such as to render Ii necessary that she should
find an occupation In order to exc out the
sum allowed her by Mr.. TlIton. Mrs. Tllton
ture deiberatIon, and intended to nurse
only those who were recommended by her
physician.
"Well," responded the patient, "if you 60
home now will consult with father and
have him write line to you in the course
Of an hour or So"
Mrs. Tilton, in accordance with the sug-
gestion, went home and waited. In the
meantime the father had been somewhat
curious as to the negotiations. However,
much as he expected in the way Of revela.
tion concerning the nurse, he confessed to
complete astonishment when her true name
was given.
After considering the case, the gentleman
and his daughter, who had always had SYM
pathy for Mrs. Tilton during the trial, con
cluded to engage the lady as nurse. A note
was written to Mrs. Tilton saying that her
proposition had been accepted, and that she
might enter upon her duties at once. In less
than an hour from the receipt Of the note
Mrs. Tilton was in possession OF the sick
room, and had begun with great deicacy to
administer to the wants Of the patient. She
watched by her bedside all night and was
extremely devoted in her attention..
On the following day the ladies began TO
exchange condolences. The patient was
somewhat improved in condition, aud had
the curiosity Of her sex to know why Mrs.
Tl,op Lad concluded to become hired
nurse. Mrs. Tilton was not the least reser-
we'd on the subject. She said that the allow
ance of $1,000 year, which was made to
her by her husband, was not sufficient to
maintain her family in the style in which
she should live. It then came out by degrees
that the eldest daughter, the young lady who
had stuck to her during the trial, had been
married against the wishes of her parents,
and that her husband had been an inmate of
an asylum. The result was that she was
caring for her daughter and fifteen months
old baby, the fruit Of the union.
1t did not transpire whether Mr.. Tihon
had been asked for an increase Of the allow
ance, but Mrs. Tilton gave the lady to un.
derstand that when the daughter married ii
made breach between herself and her
father, which 1t might take long time TO
repair.
The subject was one which might not be
approached very easily, but the patient had
great curiosity to hear from Mrs. Tilton's
own lips an account Of her relations TO Mr.
Beecher. 1t was slow work getting to it,
but she eventually succeeded. She began
| by confessng that she had been in sympathy
with Mrs. Tilton throughout the trial, be-
cause of the charges which had been made
| against her. She knew as a true woman
that there could be no foundation for them
She also intimated 1t as her belief that Mrs
Tilton's confession had been gotten from her
by threats.
at was always" began Mrs. Tilton, "i
matter of profound surprise to me that my
SO called confession should have met with
so strange reception at the hands of the
public"
"Of course there vas no truth III il" sait
the patient. "You could not help yoursel
at the'time."
"Every word Of It was true" replied Mrs
Tilton. my relations toward Mr.. Beecbe
will never be perhaps understood. He wa
my spiritual guide and counselor, and N.
religious belief had been formed under hi
teaching. There seemed to be notbin,
wrong In what did as viewed it."' Afte
Mrs. Tlton had been engaged at her new
occupation during four days and nights
there was hurri ring at the door bell
The servant yas informed by fashionabl,
dressed young lady and that she was tn
daughter of Mrs. Tilton, and desired an i'm
mediate interview with her mother. Mrs
Tilton appeared very much agitated, went Il
the reception room, and had an interviev
1 with the young lady. When she retnrne'
she said that her daughter was not satistie,
that she should continue any longer to pla.
the role of nurse. It did not to her seem d
or proper, aud she had earnestly requested
that there should be an immediate tefmina
ton Of the engagement.