The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1884-05-18
,hrlstcned Roman Catholic, he would


After the services Were over, thenew-
corners were introduced by the preacher
to each of the settlers assembled there,
and the greetings and good wishes they
received were of the heartiest kind;
and when they departed for their home,
they realized that their neighbors,
though perhaps mcouth and unpolish-
ed, possessed qualities of heart and
good-fellowship which are scarce com
modities among the fashionable and
specifically refined denzens Of the
populous cities.
After that day, they attended church
services or rather religious services in
the woods, regularly, and soon became
established ON terms Of the warmest
friendship with all their neighbors;
many of whom soon called upon them
to better the acquaintance already be-
gun: but Of course, where nePhbors are
isolated from each other as the settlers
were by miles of heavily timbered forest,
where roads are not always in the most
delightfully."- travelable condition, visits
were less frequent than might have
been desired by all parties.
The Spring and early Summer passed
away. A. space of few square rods in
extent immedately adjoining the house,
had been entirely cleared of trees,
bushes, and as far as possible Of stumps.
The ground had been spaded and made
mellow, seeds of onions, lettuce, corn,
beans, potatoes and the like had been
planted, and already luXuriant growth
of garden vegetables was beginning to
| gladden. the eyes and hearts of the faml-
ly, who hoped ere long to satiate their
appetites with esculent vegetables OF
their own production.
Then q little cloud began to show it,
self in the horizon of that family's hap
piness. Willie, who had been a delicate
child since his birth, began TO manifest
| symptoms which caused the remainder
Of the family no little anxiety.
At first they fondly hoped that it
would prove only slight indisposition
which, under such medical treatment
as they knew how to administer, would
speedily pass away; but despite all their
efforts, he did not seem to improve, but
on the contrary, gradually grew worse.
lie had been ailing a few days, and
one night after all the family except
Mr.. and Mrs. La Vergne had retired, he
suddenly grew worse, so much SO that
they decided not to seek their beds UNI
til a favorable change should appear.
AS they sat beside the bed upon which
the little sufferer lay, anxiously watch
ing his labored breathing and noting
the red flush that glowed in his hot
cheeks with such intensity as to render
them almost purple in hue, their coun-
tenances plainly indicated the anxiety
it was useless for them to attempt to
conceal.
After watching the little sufferer
awhile, Mrs. La Vergne spoke in low
tone so as not to disturb him:
paul, / am afraid Willie is more
seriously i'll than we have supposed"
81 think he is much worse than he has
been" answered Mr.. La Vergne. what
we have done for him has seemed to &C
complish nothing in his favor; and If III
is no better by morning, we will sent
for physician"
"Where can we find physician il
these woods?" inquired Mrs. La Vergne
looking up quickly at her husband. Il
am sure we have never heard of a pro-
fessional medical man anywhere about
here"
81 know of none,' answered Mr.. La
Vergne, except the old preacher Nor
rison. lie told me once, that in his
younger days he studied medicine and
graduated, and was given Il diploma;
but that after practicing a short time,
he became converted and prepared him
self for the ministry, since which he has
pursued that calling; but he also said
that he practices the profession learned
in his youth, here in the woods where
there is no other doctor, and although
he made no boast of great things he has
accomplished in healing all the neigh
bors with whom | have spoken in re-
gard to it, says that his efforts are usu-
ally attended by success. OF one thing
| am positive, he would do the best he
could, let the result be as it might"
81 wish he were here now" said Mrs.
La Vergne in a low, anxious tone Of
voice. as she arose and softly moved to
the side of little Willie who was moan
ing in his sleep, and without disturbing
him, arranged the pillow so that he
might rest easier II wish he were here
now, for know the child is very sick
What is it, Willie?" she continued bend
ing over and kissing him upon his little
hot forehead as he cried ont in his SLEEP
and threw up his little hands and clasp
ed them over his forehead. docs
Willie want anything? Mas so sorry
Willie's sick"
The father gazed on in silence, an(
after few moments, the mother agar
spoke, placing her hand gently on thu
little clenched ones of her child:
"IIis hands are so hot and dry, l thnl
he has fever. Just touch his poor littl
arm"
The father complied, and as he di,
so he shook his head and muttered in
low tone as if speaking to himself:
at is so; and | am afraid we have de
layed sending for assistance too lon
already; the boy is very sick"