The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1884-03-29
THE DOCTORS WIFE.

1t was a dull November evening, and
had been upon my feet all day; head
and heart aching over pain and sorrow
that 1 could do so lttle-so very little
to aid and comfort For was young
physician, with large practice among
the very poor, and an income so narrow
that had to pinch and save. My
house was my own, a dismal, tumble
down mansion that had once held aristo-
cratic owners. But the tide Of fashion
had swept away from it, and inherited
it from long-dead uncle, and kept it
because nobody wanted to buy it. Here
in the few habitable rooms, Martha,
my housekeeper, cook, maid-of-all-
work, and domestic tyrant, made my
home as comfortable as our very small
means allowed. Whatever else Of COM
fort failed me, was always sure of a
good fire. 1t threw a red light upon
my sitting-room as L entered, and l
drew off my soaked boots, and ventured
to order a cup of coffee. 1 was slipping
it contentedly, and congratulating my
self that was to have long, pleasant
evening, when an ominous ring at the
bell startled me.
"Will you please tell the doctor Mrs.
Rivers is took bad again?"
There was no help for it. The last
drops of fragrant coffee were hastily
swallowed, and with one fond, lingering
look at the ruddy, smiling CRATE, was
off again for half-mile tramp through
the mud and slush. 1 knew as plodded
along, that my errand was vain one.
Mrs. Rivers was dying Of an incurablt
complaint. But OF all my many pa
tients there was no one who more
strongly enlisted our sympathy thar
Mrs. Rivers. Living in wretched
attic with scarcely food to eat, she bort
in her face, voice and manner the proc
of refined culture and high breeding
One child, little girl of about tel
years, was the companion Of her pov
erty, the sole comfort of her dyini
hours. 1t was pitiful to see the child
fair and painfully slender, waiting will
womanly patience and self-control a
the bedside of her mother. l knew
when l entered the room, upon the dul
November night of which write, tina
/ need never again climb those steel
stairs to give my poor aid to Mrs. Riv
ers. The paroxysm Of acute pain wa
h,,H 1aafh ha1 ita finnnr
over the sufferers brow, leaving his un
mistakable traces there.
'Mamma would not take the opiate,
Lima whispered to me, "because sh
wanted to speak to you l am to g
down stairs, but you will call me as 500
as you can, will you not2"
GAS soon as she wishes it." said
taking the little SCARED hands in mine
lyon shall not be kept from her, dea
child"
She looked up gratefully, through
mist of unshed tears, and then wen
down stairs, while drew up the onl
chair in the room, IN answer to the soft
pleading eyes fixed upon me. Will
strength was granted to her, Mrs. RiN
ers told me the sad story of her life, an
gave into my care few relics Of bette
days, to keep for Lima. For Lima
That was the dying woman's only sol
row, as she drew near to the land {
shadows. 1, who knew how CAREFUL
the child had been guarded and che
ished amidst her rough surrounding
understood only too well the agony
her mothers heart at the prospect
having her thrust into a work-hous
A wild resolution came into my hear
"Mrs. Rivers" said, gravely al
gently, "you have shown in the la
hour that you trusted me in mai
things. win you put one more trust
me2"
"Have you not been my kind, patiel
friend for many monthsP" she a
swered.
evil you, then, trust Lima to n
care while l try to find her relativesp
will be all brother can be to her,"
A flash of joy irradiated the wan, d
ing face.
"God bless you" she said. 'May
mothers dying blessing rest ever up
your head"
''Amenl'' l whispered, as went
call the child.
Then returned to watch until Z
last, holding the slender little hgu
close to my side, glad IN my lnmc
heart that had long before won Lima
affection. When the end came, 8
turned to me with patient resignatlc
Misunderstanding to witness in one
young.
"Mamma said must be glad she "
to have no more pain," she said, WI
fully; "bnt it is very hard to be gl
without her,"
''Very hard" replied, "unless
think all the time how happy she
now."
1t was a deep dip into my silent