The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1888-07-13

stands to reason that what would do good
to one Christian couldn't be bad for an
other. When any of the quality were
sick. they sent right away off To the city
for the grand doctor there; but our par
ish man was good enough for the poor.
ANYHOW, not all the doctors in creation
could be of any use to the dear young
master. There was but the one thing for
hirl-his doom was sealed. And now the
question was, how il was to be done
Three ways were spoken of. To smother
him between two feather-beds; or else
carry him down to the river and drown
him; or TO open a vein and let him bleed
away TO death
The mother wouldn't hear of the smoth-
eriua. When it was proposed 10 her you'd
think she'd go out of her senses. Indeed,
for the matter of that, ii was much the
same whatever plan was talked OF; they
couldn't drag consent out Of her TO any OF
them God help heri twas cruel strait
to be in At long last, and after much
debate, il was settled that n vein should
be opened; and when il was done, the
poor fellow-laid upon bed of straw in
an clubhouse in the yard-was left to Giel
oh, but that was the day of woe, The
misery of it, and the despair Of the dis
tracted mother, If / was talking Till
doomsday ] couldn't describe. Her neigh
bors and cousins and the lads uncles
fiocked in and were all gathered round
her in the best parlor, striving to comfort
her.
They made strong tea, in hopes 10 get
her 20 swallow some. They tried TO raise
her heart, telling her of the grand funeral
he'd have-hundreds and hundreds COM
ing to il from far and near-the hand
soonest coffin they could buy, real oak,
with brass ornaments, and such a wake
as was never seen in the country before;
no expense spared, but you might a. well
talk TO the dead in the clay.
She didn't hear 4 word, but sat there
without tear or moan-only her mouth
working with the agony within-just
froze up, stony image of Despair and
you'd hardly know her, she was
changed. The bright, smooth, comely
face all drawn and wrinkled like an old
crone7s, and CHASTITY pale Sure it was
no wonder, when all she loved upon earth
was dripping out his young life within a
stones throw of her.
When they saw it WAS of no use they'll left
the poor woman alone. A gloomy silence
fell upon the sorrowful company as they
sat there waiting-waitinG fo- the end.
The minutes seemed like hours. There
WAS no stir except when now and then
some one would whisper under his breath
about the dying boy; how pleasant he
was and gay! how generous and open
handed he'd been.
But no matter how sorrowful the house,
c. what woe and misery are within the
walls, the business OF life outside must
go on When milking time came, Kitty
MCabe, the dairy woman-though the
heart in her was breakinC-slipped ont 10
call the milk-girls and see TO the cows.
Coming back through the yard when
the milking was done, she had TO pass by
the outhouse where they had laid the boy;
and for the life of her, she couldn't help
STOPPING totry and listen how it was with
him, and whether he was in heaven yet.
There was no sound.
Strict orders We're given that no one was
to 90 in; but the door was not locked
and she thought she'd just give it a small
shove and take one look. 1t WAS an old
crazy door, contrary and ill-ftting. and
st the first push, it gave n great shrek,
and rnade so sharp a noise that she was
frightened and tried to pull it back again.
The sight of the blood trickling upon the
aOor made her giddy and sick
lis shat you, Kitty M'Cabe2'' came in
weak faint whisper from the far end
Her heart leaped up at the voice she
never thought 10 hear again.
lay rs it, my life, my darIin'i jewel o.
! the worldr' and she pushed in, never
needing the orders against it, or the
trouble and disgrace she was bringing
On herself
20 Kitty, I'm lost with the thirst!
/ Have yGu any milk2"
ITO he sure / have, darIint-lashinsl'
and sbs ran and filed a jugfuI. He
drained IL every drop, and then he called
Tor more
I'm better now, but weak rs water.
Cntie me, Kitty, and I'll try TO sit up.
Don't be afraid. Some more milk now;
IL is doing me good"
He struggled up, and leaned the poor
white face against her shoulder, while
she put the juGto his lips.
They We're pale as a corpse's; asff every
drop of his blood had run ont. The milk
seemed TO revive him. She thought he'd
never stop drinking. After a while he
raid:
GO now. Kitty, and tell nv mother
I'm weIl-Quite we'll Something has
cured me. Or stop! I'll try and 20 my
self if I'm able. She won't befrightened,
will she, and think it's my ghosts''
Hearts darlin'-'tis clean wild with
JOY she'll be, But stay, jewel, till I've
bound me handkerchief tight overagainst
the cruel cut There now, masther dear"
Reach me over that big stick in the
corner, and III lean down upon you,
Kitty, and make shift somehow to creep
along" and SUP ported by the woman, he
began with feeble footsteps TO totter
across the yard.
Reused by cry from one of the com
pany, his mother looked up, and caught
sight OF the boy helped past the window
Staggering blindly in, he fell into her
outstretched arms: and as they closed
convulsively round his half-fainting FORM
and she held him folded in her breast
fast locked and strained 10 her-all who
We're present and looked on knew that she
would never part him more.
And she never did. From that day out
sign symptom of the madness never
appeared; though he was long in recover
ing his strength, and had TO he nursed
aud tended like az infant. He had. you
see, bled such power. that il was the
world = work to bring him to- When the
doctor fixed up the cut, he was almost
gone. a minute more, and 'tYould have
been too late.
The doctor said that oil the poison of
the dog : bite had flowed away ont of him
with the blood; but what did he know
Anyhow, there wasn't healthier or n
haudsomer or Il finer man than himself in
the whole barOny when he came ~ his
full age; over six feet in his stocking
vSlnps, and broA6-Shouldered in prouor-
tIor.
But it was remarked iy every one that
his mother was Eever the same after that
terrible day when he was laid in the out
house 10 die.
An Original After Dinner Speech.