The Washington critic., 1886-07-08
FROM THE HOSPITAL

promised TO those who receive the an-
gel unawarcs -
And Mr.. Dibble rubbed his hands
and looked smilingly around upon the
Of the Young Ladies Aid
Association, while very perceptible
of assent rose up from this
aggregated collection of curls, bangs,
frizzed hair and crimped laces.
Not damsel in the number but
would gladly have extended her gra
cious hospitality to the Rev. Felix
Amory, who was to preach sermon
in aid of "IIome Helps and Missions"
at the village church upon the coming
Sunday evening.
I'm sure said Miss Lydia Lark.
spur, promptly anticipating the crisis,
papa would be most happy to receive
the gentleman
While all the other ladies looked in.
dignantly first at Miss Lydia, then at
each other, and whispered: BOLD
thing !"
"Most kind of you to propose It,
am sure" said Mr.. Dibble, and so the
matter was settled, not at all to the
general satisfaction.
And Lydia Larkspur went home and
issued orders that the parlor curtains
should be washed and ironed, and
pound. cake of the richest nature con.
cocted.
While Kate Duer, the doctors
sister, who was as fond of young
clergymen as Lydia herself, and would
in no wise have objected to varying the
monotony of her home.lifc with
spice of ecclesiastical novelty. returned
TO her crochet work with q yawn and
general impression that life was n
bore.
owe are TO have young lecturer
from the city in the church on Sunday
evening"" she said to her father,
when he hustled in to dinner.
"Eh?" said Mr.. Duer, swallowing
his scalding soup; care we? BY the
way, Kate, there's new case of small.
pox reported among those hands on
the railway embankment."
Dear me!'' said Kate, who was com.
pounding refreshing salad in carved
wooden bowl. Il hope you will keep
well vaccinated. Hugh"
ooh, there's no trouble about
thatv' said the doctor; "only the other
patients in the hospital object to such
case"
II should think it very likely" said
Kate.
"I must try to isolate him some
where" said DIR. Duer, thoughtfully.
I'm one of those stone houses by
the river, perhaps. Old Mrs. Viggers
has had the disease, i know"
And then DR.. Duer tasted the salad
and pronounced it flrst.ratc.
Pitcherville was all on the qui vive
that day when the double.shotted
piece of tidings flew, on the tongue of
popular rumor, through the town. An
actual small pox case in their midst,
and young minister coming all the
sympathies on behalf of home mis-
sions
Miss Lydia Larlspur, whose father
did not believe in vaccination. and who
had mortal horror of the disease
against which the famous Jenner waged
so successful warfare, was much
troubled in her mind.
"1've always had sort of Fremont
tion that | should fall victim to the
smallpox" sighed she.
81 only wish pa would let me be
vaccinatedp'
1t was on sultry August evening;
the sky full of lurid clouds, the ali
charged with glittering arrows of cleo
tricity and the big drops beginning to
patter on the maple leaves, when there
sounded a knock at Miss Lydia's door
"a most mysterious tap, as she after.
ward declared.
"Whos there?' said Miss Lydia,
opening it just sufficiently to obtain a
glimpse of a tall, pale man, with pock'
et-handkerchief folded turDanwlse
around his head.
Excuse me-" said this apparation,
"but believe Ihave lost my way. Might
| ask shelter from the shower? am Il
young man from the hospital"
closing the door abruptly in his face,
with little shrek. Good gracious!
have ! stood face to face with the
smallpox case?"
And then she ran for the servant and
the camphor bottle and went into hys
terics.
Kate Duer was standing in her door
way, watching the storm roll grandly
over the mountain tops, when the
weary and bewildercd traveller opened
the gate and came hesitatingly in.
II beg your pardon" said he
meekly, "but | think there must b(
something singular in my appearance
People seem to shut their doors against
me, and shun me as if | had the pesti
lcnce. And | cannot find the residence
of Mr.. Dibble, the clergyman. Would
it be asking too much If | were to re
quest permission to rest in your porcl
until the storm is over? | came from
the hospital, and"
"Oh, | understand" said Kate
| quickly; you are the smallpox
| patient, But have been vaccinated
and am not afraid of the disease There
is very comfortable chamber in tn,
be carefully nursed and taken care o
there, Of"
"But you are mistaken" cried tn,
| young man; 81 am not"
Hush" said Kate, gently. 'DC
not be afraid to contide in me. | an
DIR. Duer's sister, and know the whole
story. Sit here and rest little and
will bring you some bread and milk
until my brother comes
81 am thousand times obliged t.
you" said the stranger, "and tn
bread and milk will taste deliciou
after my long walk. But | do no
know what leads you to think that
am q victim to varioloid. have los
my hat in the wind, to be sure and an
compelled to wear this Syrian looking
drapery on my head, but never ha(
smallpox, and hope never to encounte
its horrors"
Kate Duer turned red first, then pale
Then" said she, IF you are not th
smallpox case. who are you?"