The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1885-11-06
EBENSBURG PA. FRIDAY. NOvEMBER6

fright to mar such love as thatr" Ino-
Iticed that during all the conversation
labout the locket, she never once looked
lat me.
We went to Vale Royal, and there
never was man 80 bewildered as l. Lance
ProPoSed Ihat We should go visiting
with Mrs. Fleming.
Get your purse ready, John" he
said-"this visit will require a small
fortune
Il find the poor value kind words as
much as money said the beautiful
woman.
Then they must be very disinterest-
ed, he said, laughingly-''I should pre-
fer money"
said.
1t was a pretty sight to see her 90 in
to those poor. little. dirty houses.
There was no pride, no patronage, no
condescensiOn-she was simply sweet
and natural: she listened to their com
plants, gave them comfort, and reliev-
ed their wants. AS | watched her, /
could not help thinking to myself that
If l were fashionable or titled lady
this would be my favorite relaxation
visiting and relieving the poor. / never
saw so much happiness purchased by a
few pounds. We came to little cot
tage that stood by itself in q garden.
Are you growing tiredT" she asked
Of her husband.
II never tire with you" +" he replied.
And you, Mr.. Fordp" she asked.
She never overlooked or forgot me-
but studied my comfort on every occa-
sion. l could have told her that was
watching what was TO me a perfect
problem-the kindly, gentle, plying
deeds of q woman who had, be-
Heved, murdered her own child.
Il am not tired, Mrs. Fleming, l am
interested, =" said.
The little cottage, which stood in a
wild patch of garden, was inhabited by
a day-labOrer. He was away at work;
his wife sat at home nursing a little
babe, small, fair, tiny child, evidently
no more than three weeks old, diving
too, IL one could judge from the face.
She bent over it, - the beautiful,
graceful woman who was Lance's wife
All, Heavenl the change that came over
her, the passion of mother love that
came into her face; she was trans
formed.
Let me hold the little one for YOU"
she said, while you rest for few min
ntes; and the poor young mother CRATE
fully accepted the offer.
What a picture she made in the
gloomy little room Of the cottage, her
beautiful face and shining hair, her
rch dress sweeping the ground. and the
Does 1t suffer muchr' she asked, in
her sweet, compassionate voice.
1t did, ma'am, replied the mother
but have given it something to keep
it quiet"
''Do you mean to say that you have
drugged it," asked Mrs. Fleming
Only little cordial, ma am, - replied
the mother, nothing more; it keeps it
sleeping, and when it sleeps it does not
suffer"
She shook her beautiful head.
1t is a bad practice" =" she said; more
babies are killed by drugs than die a
natural death"
was determined she shonId look at
mex | stepped forward and touched the
ehild's face.
DO you not think it is merciful at
times to give a child like this drugs
when it has to die; to lessen the pain Of
death-to keep it from crying out2''
All. me. that. startled fear that leap
ed into her eyes, the sudden Quiver on
the beautiful face.
Il do not know" she said; II do not
understand such things"
What can it matter, - l said, "vheth-
er little child like this dies conscious
or notl 1t cannot pr1y,-it must go
straight to Heavenl Do you not think
anyone who loved it, and had to see it
die, would think it greatest kindness to
drug itP"
Ny eyes held hers; would not lose
their glance; she could not take them
away. 1 saw the fear leap into them,
then die away; she WAS saying to her
self, what could l know?
But | knew. | remembered what the
doctor said in Brighton when the in
quest was held on tho tiny white body,
that it had becn mercifully drugged
before il was drowned"
Il cannot tell" she replied, with q
gentle shake Of the head. II only know
that unfortunately the poor people use
these kind of cOrdials too readily. l
should not like to decide whether in q
case like this it is true kindness or not. :"
What a pretty child, Mrs. Ford;
what pity that it must diel"
Could it be that she who bent with
such loving care over this little stranger,
who touched its tiny face with her deli
cate lips, who held it, Graded it in her
soft arms. was the same desperate wom-
All who had thrown her child into the
sea?