The Osceola times., 1885-07-11

other women might have become exact
Ing and forgotten that it is honor
enough to work and rear children for
good man, and reward enough to re-
ceve bread in return.
But the Mennonites, like other Pro-
testants, have not yet solved the prob
lem of unmarried womanhood and thew
looked with suspicion upon Marie Won
Suleyitch, who was twenty three and had
never cared for lover; not, at least.
until he had fever; for her delight and
occupation was sickness of all kinds.
AS the colony increased in size she
came to be constantly busy. Babies
grew quiet as she took them in her
arms, fever became lighter at the touch
OF her cool hands and pain was easier
TO bear after Marie had bandaged the
wound.
Those who had been sick crowled
when well that she should be INDUCED
IN her whims and the whole people
came In time to consider her gifts.
winch were those of good nurse, as
an especial provision for their necessi-
ties.
Dr. Hoyt. it chanced, had never be-
lore been summoned. 1t was sight.
| plllful even to professional eyes, that
met his view as he entered the cabin.
The boy was groaning and writing
on pile OF straw in one corner; the
close, dark room was crowded with
men smoking and women chattering-
men and women alike filthy as their
surroundings. The one mitigating cir
cumstance was the woman kneeling by
the bed, gently bathing the wounds, but
ey IDENTIFY ignorant of further remedy.
lhe Doctor recognized her as the lone
who talked for them
'Send these people out" he said to
her. "They are killing him. using the
little air there is with their vile pipes.
They will not co. she answered.
" 1t IS not customary with my people
to trust the worlds people"
With an ejaculation, expressive Of
disgust, DIR. Hoyt turned to his patient.
shall not attempt a diagnosis; there
were broken bones and ghastly wounds.
The boy was fast weakening from his
more than mortal agony.
Chloroform, that angel of solace to
the long-beardcd men. gathered close
around the bed, watched the immedi-
ate effect of the medicine, and saw that
the boy gasped little, grew more
quiet and lay dead.
The enlightened reader will not find
it easy to comprehend ignorance such
as theirs; but these men had only the
evidence OF their senses, with no past
experience, or even knowledge. 1t
was only natural, therefore, that they
should jump to quick conclusion,
and that hatred of the alien and
stranger, already strong enough,
should, with this added provocation,
call forth every mans knife, with in
tent to kill.
DIR Hoyt was too taken by surprise
to be more than dismayed at first The
threatening glances at the bed, the re-
/ doubled howls of one of the women,
made plain the cause of the murderous
| preparations. He turned to the girl by
the bed. whom he had thought of a
higher grade of intelligence than the
rest; but her face showed only panied
distress.
at is chloroform. Don't you know?"
he said, appealing to her ut will
make him sleep while set the bones.
Then he will awaken. Tell them quick,
or it viii be too late.'
She looked at him long before she
spoke, and the rest waited. breathless,
for her words. She noted the dexterity.
the certainty of his motions, and her
faith rose above her Judgment.
"lle says it will be right" she said in
Russian, "that he will sleep only till the
wounds are dressed | do not under
stand; but think he knows See, he
works in good way. 1t is the custom
in America, perhaps. Do not kill him
yet"
The doctor worked rapidly, and the
men fell back into one corner and num-
| bled together. One of them spoke
presently, gesturing a great deal and
pointing to his knife.
"He says translated Marie, "that
they will not kill YOU, if your words are
true and the boy live>. If he dies, you
will not leave us alive. That is but
just"
She spoke in q tone of calm convic-
ton. and, seeing that to argue was but
to waste breath, the doctor turred again
TO his patient, upon whose chance of
| life his own depended. He was not a
religious man; but think he prayed as
well as labored during the next half
hour; for, humanity speaking, there was
every probability that some of the
many wounds were fatal, and that the
sick one would never revive.
Marie watched more intently than any
of the others. Her confidence increased,
and every few minutes she turned to the
group with an imperious nod.
''Iie is right; he is right" she said.
When. finally, the boy opened his
eyes, and knew pain again, the men and
women wished to bring altar gifts TO lay
at the physician's feet; but Marie only
said tearfully:
I'VE did not know that America
held so wise a man. Twill never think,
hereafter, that am called to nurse the
sick"
Everything depends upon you now. "
he answered. Nursing must do the
rest" and, leaving directions, he drove
away, mcditating seriously, for so light
hearted a man, upon his strange escape
from death.
For two weeks he was daily caller
at the cabin; and long before the end
of that time his interest in the boy had
become secondary to his interest in the
nurse, who developed astonishing abil-
ity. She seemed to expand and human
ize from day to day.
"She would be a fortune to any COM
munity," hesaid, in speaking of her.