The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-04-15

After these heartfelt words of 10Y
could Mrs. Berry be sorry that she had
so bravely met this duty of Christian
courtesy, though to nothing but a
common servant? No, indeed! and
in the course of few weeks her cause
for gratitude was to be still deeper.
1t was some time before Katy found
leisure to return her new friends call.
And as she walked down the beautiful
avenue in search of 81, she was sure
she could never enter one of those ele-
CANT houses.
Presently she saw that sign of the
scourge, the yellow flag, over one of
the handsomely-carved door-waysl 1t
was 81 For the moment she stood
terror-stricken, and then anxiously
rushed down the street.
Can't you see that, miss?" angriy
demanded the policeman set to quaran-
tine the premises, as he motioned her
back and pointed to the dread emblem.
Yes, sir; but rs had the smallpox,
and l must go in and help Mrs. Berry.
She's my friend"
Just then the doctor came out of the
stricken house, and Katy began plead
ing with him.
Don't she need some one? Most
folks does as has that!''
Why, yes; they are sadly in need
of help" replied the doctor, deeply i'm
pressed with the girls manner; and
| if you will wait l will consult Mrs.
Berry about you"
"Tell her it's Katy Lamson, as works
in the restaurant at 456 Waterbury
street, and that rs had it''
Nh xuhot a orft,l f,1,
the brave girl received when that even
ing she entered the dread precinct.
Mr.. Berry and the only child, Bessie,
would soon fall a victim, and their only
help was an old colored woman.
During the terrible weeks that fol-
lowed, Katie became the main-stay.
Her faithfulness and self-sacrifce were
untiring and complete; and when the
victory was finally gained, the doctor
and all justly divided the honor with
her.
One September twilight, as Katy sat
by Mrs. Berry's side, she began:
&C It's singular how it all came about;
but just word once saved me-"
Why, what do you mean, Katy? I
fear you are coming down with this
disease" said Mrs. Berry, looking
anxiously into the tired girls face.
"No, l am not. 1 suppose you will
think it queer, but that Sunday you first
spoke to me and shook my hand was a
turning point, and kept me from going
to the bad 1 want to tell you all about
it, because rs so glad you did,"
edo, Katy"
"Well, you know how mother and
Amy died of smallpox, and come to
the city where wages was better, so I
could pay the bills; and you know how
1 went to church and Sunday-school,
and nobody ever spoke to me. Well,
| got dreadful lonesome and down
hearted, and was half sick, too, and 1
didn't care what did become of me, and
1 thought nobody else did, now ma and
Amy was gone.
"Well," she continued, after con-
fused pause, "about this time some
of the girls and their fellers in the res
taurant asked me to go to one of their
low dances-and they is low; l know
by what I've heard 'em tell Once 1
wouldn't listened word to 'em, but
was so clean discouraged l partly
promised I'd 90 the next week. Next
Sunday was the day you spoke to me-"
(Mrs. Berry well remembered it, though
little dreaming its consequences were
so far-reaching.) ooh, l can't tell you
how it sort o. strengthened me and give
me heart to persevere in being respect
able, and that night l told the Teller as
asked me wouldn't 60 with him. And
when you called and was so good to me, 1
just,dropped 'em altogether. Twas just
your kind word that saved me Mis-
Berry, and l can never thank you
enough for it," said Katie, weeping.
Then in the strange providence of
God that word has been the means of
saving this household" replied Mrs.
Berry, deeply impressed by Katy's story.
-EStelle MendeU, IN The Watchmaa.