Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1885-03-10
AlRoYaI PhYsieian.

In the summer of 1868 a poor
woman lay moaning on her bed in the
attic of a dingy house in one of the
poor quarters of Vienna. The house
and its surroundings gave evidence
of the poverty of its Inhabitants and
that part of the gay capital. A glance
at the interior showed the tenants to
be busily engaged at their various
occupations. Kind-hearted though
these were, yet their daily struggle
in the battle of life left them but lit
tie time to give aid and comfort to
their suffering neighbor. Too poor
to pay for doctor or nurse, Frau Wal.
dorf was dependent on her only child,
ia lad of twelve years, who dearly
loved his mother. His heart would
almost break when he thought how
little he could do for her, and saw
that she grew worse from day to day.
One day she said: >' Franz, / can
bear this pain no longer! See If you
cannot induce some doctor to call
here and prescribe for me,
With sad heart. and with but
slight hopes of success, Franz obey
ed. He called on several physicians
and begged them to visit his mother,
but in vain. They all declined be-
cause he was unableto pay their fee,
which in those days was form for
each visit. In despair, and.not know
ing what to do next, he stood at the
corner drcading TO so home. Just
then private carFisge came slowly
by, in which sat distinguished
looking man.
This was no other than the EN-
.peror Joseph H.. most kind-hearted
ruler, who was always accessible to
the most humble of his subjects, and
was. dearly beloved by them. He FREE
queptly mingled with the people, de-
to walk andride about among
them. On such occasions he was
always plainly dressed, so thatho one
suspected that he was the Emperor.
Franz stepped to the carriage door,
and taking off his cap, said humbly:
I" Kind sir, will you have the good
ness to give me florin.?"
g Would not smaller sum do, my
little man?"
- No, SIR" replied Franz; and
emboldened by the gentleman's kind
tone, he narrated to him for what
purpose he required u fioriu.
The Emperor listened attentively,
and then handed him the money.
He also inquired of him where his
mother lived, and questioned him
about her circumstances. Pleased
with Franz replies, he then dismiss
cd him, and bade his coachman drive
to the given address. On his arrival
he wrapped himself we'll up in his
cloak to avoid any possible chance of
recognition. Then he asccndcd the
stairs and entered the sick woman's
room. She, supposing him to be a
physician whom her son had sent,
told him of her illness and of her
poverty and struggles.
My good woman," said the En-
peror, when she had finished, 8" L un-
derstand your case perfectly. will
now write you a prescription, which
[ am sure will do you good"
He sat down at the table, and,
after writing a few moments, folded
up the paper. " When your son
comes home he can attend to this"
He had hardly left the house when
the door was again opened, and
doctor, followed by Franz, entered
the room.
Frau Waldorf was surprised at this
second call, and explained TO the
newcomer that physician had just
UiSifo6 l,oT orS1 I,oI In,RA :. ,a-oaa,.s..
ton on yonder table. The doctor
took up the paper to see who had
been there and what had been pre-
scribed. He had, however, hardly
glanced at it when he uttered nn ex-
clamation of surprise, and said:
Madam, do You know into. whose
hands you have fallen? This paper
is an order on the treasury for fifty
forins, and is signed Joseph
1.-The Emperor!' shouted Franz,
with delight, while his mother invok-
ed blessings on him who had be-
friended her in her greatest need.
But the Emperor did not stop here.
He caused inquiries to be made about
Frau Waldorf and her family, and
was informed that her husband had
been an officer in his fathers army,
and had served with distinction
through the Seven Years War. In
one of the last engagements he had
fallen on the field of battle while gall
lantly charging on a battery. On
learning this the Emperor at once
gave direction that her wants should
be thereafter provided for, and that
Franz's further education should be at
his expense.--Harper's Young People.
What do you think of these bar
gains in American Watches: Eleven
Jeweled Fredonia Watch Movement,
in 3 or .SIvar Cnan X w r,,;no