Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1888-06-14
Helena, Montana. Thursday, June "A, 1888.


physician, and we were now proceeding to a
definite destination. John seemed to think
the proceedings little irregular, but man.
aged to quiet his uneasiness by various de-
vices of prevarication.
We soon left the lighted portion of the
city, and plunged into dark and narrow
streets Nothing could be distinguished in
the gloom but the towering shade trees on
either side, and an occasional night lamp
cleaning dimly from window.
"Here we are" exclaimed the boy, draw
ing the horse up so suddenly that we ali
pitched forward. We alighted, and the
urchin conducted US from the street into
narrow alley, on each side Of which solid
brick walls loomed up. They were barely
discernible in the darkness, and had not the
remotest idea of the quarter of the city to
| which we had come.
Suddenly we turned, in obedience to our
small sized guide, and halted before low
! arched door set in the brick wall. The boy
| gave q peculiar knock, which elected
| whistle from within, this in turn being re-
| piled to by another and slightly different
| knock We were ushered within, and the door
| was closed behind US.
| Inky darkness was all about. A voice
| commanded us to move forward, and we did
SO cautiously. The dark passage was not Of
great length. 1t led to another door, which,
on being opened, led to dimly lighted apart
ment Into this we proceeded, and peered
cautiously around, at first being unable
clearly to discern the contents of the room.
Becoming accustomed by degrees to the
semi-darkness, we at length observed that
the place was one where poverty, if it did
not actually reign, at least had obtained
strong foothold The furniture was scanty,
the walls were dingy and hung with cob
webs, and sickly flame from tallow candle
sent forth faint and uncertain rays OF light
"There's no money in this job" growled
John.
Then came, in sorrow laden voice, from
an obscure corner of the room:
"Oh, my daughterP
The place had been profoundly quiet up to
this point l was indignant at Johns heart
less remark. 1t was not at all like him.
also was somewhat disturbed in mind, for
there was something so decidedly real about
our night adventure that began to fear it
would be impossible to pass it off as dream
"Oh, my daughter!"
The words broke on the silence with start
ling distinctness John advanced to the
quarter from which they proceeded, and
followed him.
Bring the light" he said.
The tallow candle was set in an old bottle,
and this l seized and carried with me. The
light disclosed an aged woman, on whose
face were the unmistable lines OF struggle
and hardship. She was miserably clad. She
sat in a rocking chair by the side OF cot.
On the cot, covered with an old shawl, lay q
girl whose age might have been 10 years.
Her face was in startling contrast to its sur
roundings, for it was fair and excessively
white Her eyes were large, dark and brill
liant and her hair was jet black. She took
no notice of our presence, but seemed to stare
into vacancy.
SIS this your daughter?" asked John.
eyes, sir; can you save her!" The sharp
ness of an intense anxiety was in the woman's
voice.
John, without replying, placed his hand
on the child's brow. He was always very
deliberate, and for moment his touch lin
gered while he studied the young face.
'She can make SO much money for me if
she lives" whined the old woman.
This surprising remark caused both John
and me to look at her inquiringly.
"She is my seventh daughter, and l am my
mothers seventh daughter. She can look
into the future and tell all you want to
know!"
"Yes," responded John gravely; 81 thought
there was something peculiar about her."
"Ho, no! John Gorham," thought I, 'do
you believe in any such nonsense as that
you, who are so very practical and level
headedY" But kept my thoughts to myself.
"Tell me, can you save herr" repeated the
mother.
"rn try" replied John. "When did you
first observe her peculiar gifts2'
"There was no need to observe them. She's
the seventh daughter Of seventh daughter,
and that's enough. Why don't you give her
some medicine to bring down the fever?"
''She has very little fever. Her trouble is
low state of vitality. I will not conceal
from you that her condition is serious"
As John spoke he took the child's hand in
his own.
upon my word" he exclaimed" she has
a surprising amount Of nervous strength.
Her grip is as strong as mans. I cannot
loosen it without hurting her."
At this juncture the child looked at him
attentively and intelligently. l was still
standing slightly in the rear, holding the
candle over Johns shoulder.
"Hush!" exclaimed the old woman, in
warning whisper. "She is going to speak"
A faint voice from the bed now spoke these
words:
"Beware of the man with the light! Let
me think. He does not seem to be your
enemy, and yet he is trying to deceive you.
But he will not succeed"
Twas thrown into CONSERVATION byathese
words. Of course they meant me. How had
this strange child penetrated my designsa
was about to protest that she was delirious,
when she relinquished her grasp Of Johns
hand, turned her gaze from him, and re-
lapsed into her former state. As for John,
he favored me with single, swift and search
ing glance, which threw me into state Of
guilty confusion. But If he had any sus-
picions he gave no expression to them in
words. He opened his medicine chest, Sc
lected some remedies, and gave the old woman
directions for administering them.
"There will be no need Of my calling
again." he said. "If the child is no better by
tomorrow, take her to the hospital. See that
she has perfect quiet, and, above all things,
do not let her exert her peculiar powers until
she is fully restored to strength. Such things
are a great strain on the nervous system,
and the girl cannot afford for the present to
waste an atom Of energy. The medicine
have left will help her, and perhaps success
rully bridge over this period Of depressed
vitality"
The old woman thanked him, and then to
nv astonishment produced a shining $40 gold
piece from some recess Of her tattered gar
meuts, and rendered it to John. He accepted
it eravely, and then we withdrew from the
APARTMENT. Once in the open air, the voice
of the small boy was heard:
slump in" he said, sand I will drive you