The south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1879-1883, 1883-06-19

white-cappcd maid some directions
respecting old Ann Mudgett's rheum
atism, when the matron hurried in
Oh, beg your pardon, Doctor
Clarimont, said she, but | clean for
got the new old woman?
The new old woman! repeated
Doctor Mary, with smile.
That is, exclaimed Mrs. Cunning
ham, she only came last night;
quiet old soul, half blind and quite
bad with the asthma. Perhaps yOu't Z
better just see her before you go
She brought card of admission
from Doctor Merton, the New Yorl
clergyman, who is one Of our dircc
tors, You know. And she seems F.;
decent body enough.
So Doctor Mary went chccrful'y into
the little brick-paved room, with it'
white pallet bed, cushioned rocking
chair and neatly-draped easement
where sat poor, little. shriveled-ul
woman, wrapped in faded shawl.
She looked timidly up, as Doctor
Mary came in, from under the Dor.
ders of her cap.
I'm a poor body, miss, said she
and I'm sensible Pm making a deal
of trouble in the world. But the
Lord don't always take us, miss when
we'd like to go.
This Is the doctor, said Mrs. Cum
ningham.
The little woman would have risen
up to make q feeble courtesy, but
Doctor Mary motioncd her to keep
her seat.
What is your name said she pleas
antly.
Louise NARROW, miss.
NARROW? That is an unusual name,
isn't it? said Mary Clarimont color
ing in spite of herself.
We're English, miss, said the old
woman, struggling bravcly with her
asthma. There amt many of us in
this country. I've son, miss in the
law business, as any mother might be
proud of.
A son! echoed Mrs. Cunningham
and you in the almshousc.
Not that it's his fault, ma'am, the
old creature made haste to explain.
Ny son is to be married to fine,
proud young lady, as is fit for any
prince in all the land, and ofcourse he
can't be expected to burden himself
with a helpless old woman like me
He says I'm to write and let him
know how l get along, and if I'm
sick, or anything, he'll try to see me,
I scwcd carpets until the asthma got
hold of me, and supported myself
comfortably. But Ofcoursc | couldn't
lay up anything for rainy day
who could? And Henry couldn't
help me, for he's getting ready to be
married, poor lad! So I went to Doc
tor Merton and asked him did he
know of any decent place where an
old woman like me could end hri
days in peace. And he gave me
card to come here, and some money
to pay my travelling enpcnses-God
bless him !-and here / am!
Mary Clariinont had listened quiet.
ly 10 the garrulous tale, but the color
had varied in her check more than
once as she stood there.
Is your sons name Harry Marlow
she said, slowly and thoughtfully.
Yes, miss, at your service, said tho
old woman, with duck other white
capped head, which was meant to dc
duty in place of the impossible court
esy.
Is he like this? said Doctor Mary
taking photograph from her pocket
The old woman, with trembling
hands, fitted on her iron-bowed spec
tacles, aud looked at the picture, ut
tering little cry of recognition.
Sure, miss, it's his own self, sh'
cried. YOU'RE acquainted with hin
then?
Somewhat, said Doctor Mary, com
posedly, as she returned the photo
graph to its place. And now l will
leave you something to relieve thi
difficulty in breathing.
But the old crone eyed her wistful
y.
Perhaps you know the young lad.
my son is to marry?
Yes, said Doctor Mary, writini
something in her prescription bool
1 have seen her.
: Perhaps, miss, faltered the old wo
man, you would give her my hum
; BILE duty, and tell her l would jus
! like to look at her for once and Sc
what she is like. There's no fear Q
my troubling her, miss, for mean t
end my days here. But l would lik
) to see her just once. And ifI wouldn
be asking too much, miss, would yo
please write to my son, and tell whcr
l l am 2-for I'm no scholar myscl
and I'm his mother, after all.
Twill write to him, said Docto
: Mary, quietly; and so she wen
:. away.
!. Inevcr see a lady doctor afor
!, said old Mrs. NARROW, with Ion
h sigh. But she's pretty creatur, an
1t seems good to have her around.