The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-04-26
THE HAUNTED HOUSE.

Der, all of whom were suffering from
violent attack of fever.
The family occupied two small rooms
on the second floor of dirty, miserable
looking house in dismal street, both
sides of which were formed of similar
tenements, except that some were one
story lower than their neighbors.
had passed through the same thor
ough-fare many times, but never without
glancing up at the name it bore, and won
dering if the authorities, in so christen-
ing it, had been trying to crack one of
those grim jokes with which they some
times favor the world when engaged in
the performance of their onerous duties.
In fine-very fine-it was called Myrtle
Grove, though Death Valley would have
been more appropriate appellation.
Cropping my way along the passage, and
up the rickety, ill-liahted stairs, was
met ON the landing by an object strongly
resembling the ghost of female appar-
emily about forty, but in reality not more
than thirty years of age. In her arms
she held skeleton infant.
'Tm glad you're come, doctor" she
gasped.
had been in many wretched homes
before, but never in one so thoroughly
foul and miserable as the one l now en-
tered in Myrtle Grove.
The wonder was not that the family
were Frustrated by fever, but that a hui
man being had ever enjoyed days
health in such den.
Doing what l could for the sufferers, L
promised to look in again duringthe day,
aud send messenger with medicine as
soon as got back to my surgery.
'sWhy, this man must be earning good
wages; and yet he keeps his family in
that state, Shocking, infamous" and l
really believe had the father of my
patients been nearme at the time should
have grasped him by the throat and half
shaken the lie out of him.
Sometimes in the course OF my pro-
tessional career have come in contact
with parents vino appeared devoid OF
feeling for their offspring and respect for
themselves, but as l turned out OF Myrtle
Grove that morning, l felt sure there
must be something terribly wrong about
The head of the family had been visit
ing.
Nor could l, when looked at the
group of pale helpless children, forget
hat was father myself; and when one
)f them, bright-eyed, clever-looking
little girl, turned to me in the rawlings of
ielirium, and exclaimed, with out
stretched arms, Il want to love you,
lada; want to love youl" her voice and
words reminded me of my own .dar-
ling Beatrice"
During the day l visited many other
patients, but the pleading eyes OF the
sick child who had begged SO earnestly to
share fathers love followed me where
ever l went.
"Babys dead, DOCTOR" faltered the
woman, meeting me on the stairs.
Expecting this announcement, L di-
rected my attention to the survivors
There appeared little change in any Of
them.
knew that the disease would have lis
way in spite of my skill, and that the
critical time was approaching when prop
er treatment might save them.
HAS your husband come homer"
mo. doctor"
For several minutes | stood contem
plating the picture of domestic misery
around me.
"He's here now, think" she whis-
pered and the man walked slowly into
the room. One glance told me his failing
He looked sullen and downcast.
This is a said job" he began taking
off his cap, and coming towards the sick
bed.
"Yes," / replied, in tone that made
him vince, land will be sadder, unless
you try 10 prevent it"
He stared at me, but did not speak. 7
"Your infant son is dead" | added.
"Poor little chap l thought he'd bt
leavin' us. He's had good many draw
backs, for we've had naught but bad lucl
andsickness since we come to this house
have we, Sarah?"
bad luck and nonsense" said |. "YoI
have made some, and brought the rest o
your troubles, my friend, and paid dearl,
for them, too"
1--WE not parted with anything in tina
way that | know of, Doctor
"But your ignorance does not alter tn
fact. am aware OF il"
''Of WHAT" asked the man, rather SNAP
pishly.