The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1884-05-18


although there really might have been
no cause for doing so.
He quickly stepped to the loft in
which Pat was soundly sleeping, and
perpetrating series OF snores that
rivaled the believing of locomotive
surcharged with steam and blowing off
In the most ear-splitting manner. Rous-
ing Pat, he informed him of the condi-
ton of Willie, and asked him If he
would 90 after the old preacher and
urge him to come at once and see the
boy.
Pat needed no second bidding, for he
dearly loved the little fellow and almost
would have lain down his own life to
save that of the boy; but quickly jump
ing out of bed, in a surprisingly brief
space of time, donned his clothing and
was ready for the night journey of sew
eral miles.
Mr.. La Vergne told him tomount one
of the horses, and as it was q bright,
moonlight night, he might ride as fast
as he chose on his errand.
Pat hurried out of the house, and soon
the gathering of departing hoofs told
that he was Fastening on his journey.
The noise made by Mr.. La Vergne
aroused Carrie and Julian, who were
soon dressed and at the bedside Of their
little brother, equally as anxious in his
behalf as were their father and mother.
The several hours that must neces-
sarily elapse before Pat and Mr.. Nor
rison the preacher and medical practi-
toner combined could arrive, were
tedious enough. None of the family
sought their beds again that night, but
all grouped themselves about the bed of
the sick child, dividing the time be-
tween striving to make him as comfort
able as possible, and looking at the lit
tie clock that licked away in its place
upon the mantel, unconscious how slow
". to the anxious watchers, it's hands
seemed to move in their steady march
around its placid face.
But little was spoken by any of them,
and that little in subdued, whispered
tones. lest the sound Of their voices
should disturb the little one who was
restlessly sleeping and moaning in his
sleep as If in pain,
How slowly and tediously such hours
pass, only those who have watched by
the bedside Of sick loved one have
any adequate knowledge.
At length, just as the gray streaks of
dawn began to shoot up in the east,
harbingers of the coming day, the sound
of approaching hoofs was heard, and
each heart in the log house beat lighter,
for the sound denoted the return of Pat
accompanied by medical assistance.
A few minutes later, the door was
quietly opened and Pat closely followed
by Mr.. Morrison, entered. Mr.. Nor
rison, after saluting the family, APP
preached the bedside and placed his
fingers upon the wrist of the sick child,
while a troubled look settled upon his
usually pleasant and benevolent counte-
nance. For the space of II couple Of
minutes he said not word, and the
gaze Of every member of the family was
riyeted upon his face, striving to read
there something that should give them
hope.
| When one of our near and dear ones
is seriously i'll, and the doctor comes to
,Dply his skill in restoring them to
| health, how eagerly we scan his c0unte-
| nance, watching every movement OF his
features, for in them we can read Ian
guage sometimes more expressive than
words; but the language the La Vergne
family read in the face Of the old physi-
clan gave them little or no encourage
ment.
After the space of a couple of min
utes, Mr.. Morrison spoke in a low tone
of voice, shaking his head in an omi-
nous manner:
"a bad case. A very bad case in
deed"
do you think he is so very sick Mr..
MorrisonY inquired Mr.. La Vergne
while his wife's pleading eyes mutely
repeated the question.
"IIe is very sick child, Mr.. La
Vergne," answered the doctor, "and l
will plainly say to you that his chances
for recovery are decidedly small. How
ever we will do the best we can for him
and trust to good God who does all
things for the best, that our efforts may
be blest with success"
"Do all you can for him, Doctor said
Mr.. La Vergne, "and may He who is
all-powerful, bless the means which you
employ for his recovery, for we cannot
spare our Willie"
Gods ways are always just and
right" answered the preacher; al
though in our weakness, and ignorance
ef His great plans, we are sometimes dis
posed to criticise, or think it would be
better otherwise" And he opened med
icine case he carried with him, and tax
ing therefrom phial, dropped a few
drops of a reddish liquid into spoon
and adding little water, placed it into
the child's mouth.
With difficulty the child swallowed
the medicine, and then the doctor sat
down upon a chair and waited to note
its results.
No perceptible effect being produced,
he administered second dose with ap-
parently no favorable result. The child
appeared steadily to grow worse.
| ftnr cnnc;ca hrao l. 20 xx,oa I,ocl.I,