Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1884-01-23
hearts. too, that have grated their hap
piness upon the tender. beautiful bios.

trOuDIeO, restless Slumber.
Farmer Matthews, riding along the
country road that leads from the city
into the lonely country beyond, is not
without slight fear, for the twilight
has fallen, and it grows darker every mo.
ment. Still the white earth reflects the
fading light, and the stars seen now and
then through the cloud spaces cast a
faint glimmer upon the g]istening road.
Old Dobs knows the way we'll, how
ever, and he joys along placidly, scarce
~ needing the keen wind as it sweeps
across the snow drifts, though it blinds
him momentarily.
But Farmer Matthews is not alone.
BY his side sits a young physician
whose stalwart form does not shrink
from the cutting blast.
the old farmer. IT kinder hated to ask
you, you seemed to be enjoyin' yourself
SO nightly; but Alice was 50 sick, and
the women folks-mother and Nora
lost all faith in the old doctor, so I
thought there'd be no harm in comm to
see you, anyhow"
The old mans voice trembles a little.
He is thinking of the frail little form
that has lain so helplessly on the pillow
for many, many days, and the little
voice whose music has been well-nigh
hushed forever.
"Of course I'd come" answers the
young man. "How could you think I
wouldn't? Don't owe my life to you?
[ would be ungrateful, indeed, did not
remember the day when you took me,
a stray waif, into your heart and home.
1t was long ago, but I owe all am and
all have to-day to you. and what would
l not do tor you and yours!"
God bless you for the good will, my
boy" the old man says; and then there
is silence between them, broken only
by the sound of the horses hoofs upon
the crisp white snow.
But as they turn bend in the road
the old man turns to his companion.
"We've lonely patch of woods
ahead; keep your eyes and ears open"
eyes, am prepared for it. :" The
young man takes two glittering objects
from his pocket. II fancy any prowl-
ing rascals would not like to make the
acquaintance of these
lie replaces the 1evolvers safely in
their hiding place as old Dobs plunges
bravely into the woods. A ghostly
place It is, with the tall trees holding
out long white arms and the weird shad-
ows falling across the winding road. >.
"Hark what's that" The young
physician lays his hand on the old mans
arm. They both listen for a moment,
but onl ~ the signing of the wind comes
through the forest.
IL surely heard moan," says the
younger man. cit could not have
been the wind"
Old Dobs suddenly prjcks up his ears
and SHES violently to one side of the
road.
"Hello!'' cries the farmer. "What's
the matter with Dobs.''
But the young man has already sprung
to the ground. "There's something in
the road" he says. "Give me the lam
tern quick. Surely it is a man fallen
into the snow drifts" he takes small
vial from his pocket and forces it's con-
tents down the mans throat; then they
lift him carefully into the wagon.
Drive as fast as you can," the
young man says eff you are home
within the hour we may save him.
An hour later Nora Wade, watching
in the darkened chamber, is aroused by
the touch of friendly hand.
mora" he says softly.
"Oh, Joe. is it you? she cries.
You have come to save my darling.
You will save her, won't you?'' She
looks at him piteously, her every word
sob.
II will try" he says. Years ago in
their happy childhood he would have
laid down his life for Nora-what would
he not do for her child. All the later
love for his wife has not swept away the
tenderness he feels toward the love Of
his youth.
Through the long hours of the night
he watches with her, noting every
change in the fair baby face upon the
pillow, now and then stealing
from the room to attend his patient
below, whom he had left in Mrs. Mat
thew's charge.
When the morning breaks and thu
gray dawn OF the new year steals across
the white fields he takes Nora's hand il
his. 'Your child will live," he says.
Her eyes speak their gratitude he1
lips are dumb.
"Leave her to your mother" be says
"for little while, and come with me.
His words are imperative and she fol.
lows him in silence down the stairs inte
the sitting. room below.
Upon the lounge man lies, his eve.
closed in slumber. The fair hair is tos.
sed backward from a finely chiseled
face, but there is WEAKNESS upon il
that is sad to look upon,
With a sudden cry Nora falls beside
him. But ere the words upon her lips
are spoken she loses consciousness anc
for hours knows no more. All the weary
nights of watching have flung their bur
den upon her and she is powerless t
rally.
''You have killed her," the old maj
says as the young physician lifts her il
his arms.
"No'"he / answers, ':joy = never kills.
The fist weeks of the new year hav,
passed away, bringing with them colder
treasures of life and love. With the OLE
year all the shadows have gone-and al
| AtS 6OIIOW6.
It is pleasant group that is gathered
In Farmer Matthew's cozy sitting-roon
in the bright glow of the red freight
Alice, sitting in her mothers lap, laugh
gleefully at the bright pictures 9randp,
is showing her in the Mother Coos,
book, repeating after him the jinglins
rhymes that seem to take her fancy. d,
laughs, too, as she lisps them in hel
quaint, baby fashion; and Nora, layint
her white hands upon the golden head
loobs up with a smile into the pale
handsome face above her. Wife ant
mother, she looks from one to the othel
of her treasures, with glad, satisfied
love.
And Grandma Matthews, pausing i,
her knitting to look upon the happ,
group, wipes away the moisture from
her eyes, saying softly to herself: "Ant
q little child shall lead them"
How the Japanese Battle.
| (Cor. London Telegraph