The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1888-06-02
. model to the boys, he was really
more polite than Jack.

cry of fire from the kitchen; we didn't
stop for Randolph to hold the door
open and bow us out, assure you. 1t
was in the laundry. and cold north
wind made it dangerous for the house.
Will was away. there was only papa,
who had rheumatism. and Tom. who
was dizzy with raging headache. to
60 up on that roof and hold the hose.
l went up the icy ladder. and was bust
ly drenching the roof of the laundry.
when felt myself held up by strong
arins--and turned essentially to find
Jack" He took the hose from my
hand. but took the hand. too. and held
me. saying wildly: I've got you at
last, dear. and ! mean to keep you,
though il is as breezy up here as the
steamers deck"
And he held NE fast and put out the
fire at the same time. while mamma,
who dare not mount, kept calling:
WHO is up there with you Maryp"
And all this time Bayard the knight,
who was ever ready to anticipate our
slightest wish. sat by the fire in the IL
brary and smoked cigars, for it was
''too cold to venture out when there
was so much help. you know"
And mamma didn't say word, even
when Jack helped me put on my cloak
after our toilets were renovated, and
boldly took me for long walk. 1 sup
pose she thought fate too much for her,
taking the trouble to land him on the
roof to find me for once alone
But Dorothy was angry and SO was
Alice. ITO think of you. who always
said you had a career. and would never
marry, taking mp with boy like Jack. !"
said my eldest sister, who gloried in
Fenwick being a dozen years the
senior. and then Dorothy began: Eyes.
and after all the study you have done,
to give yourself away like that" but
when looked into dear Jacks dark
eyes was amply contented.
Ibid want to study medicine. and had
pictured to myself the good would do
in the world when l got through college
and put up my Single. had studied
many books. practiced on many cut
| fingers. and made bushels of poultices.
And when / washed out the clothes
after some patients linseed poultices,
used to think that would not fall to
my share when became a doctor, for
l noticed they were very fastidious
about the actual work. Then l had
helped mamma pull all the children
through the measles and scarlet fever.
taking both diseases myself after they
were all better, and helping the doctor
set Toms leg and cure Harry's gun
shot wound. when Dick mistook him
for partridge. all made me handler
than most girls for hospital work. For
/ had to be married before Alice. and
Jack and / went back to the sea--and
all through my brain during long
siege of sea-sickness. ran the refrain:
''saiiing sailing,
Over the stormy main,"
and then, az deeper lurch would be
given to the vessel. would mentally
repeat:
MANY . stormy wind shall blow,
Ere Jack comes home again"
Twas with Jack now. and home was
afar olive were on our way TO the
British Honduras for cargo of sugar.
And one day as lay in my berth
sea-sick and home-sick in spite of Jack.
he came in looking very pale. l asked
languidly what was the matter, as a
big green wave dashed against the
portfolio.
Don't be alarmed, DEAR" he said,
''but there is smallpox on board. and
and must leave you and keep you
isolated. with the other three first cabin
passengers"
And then arose in my might and
asked him what he took me for, to keep
myself like baby when he was in dan
ger. And I got out of bed. and dressed.
and took down all my medical books,
and packing away all unnecessary arti-
cles, told him / was ready for any thing.
And I put on an old blue silk, for !
knew that goods resisted contagion best,
and wound up my hair on the top Of
my head. Where thou goest / will
go. Jack" said.
1t is no use TO tell what we did then,
for the long days and nights-of death.
and loathsome. slow recoveries And
as we reached that summer land, Jack
told me he was in for it. and kissed me
goodbye" just before he lost con-
seriousness. Over his handsome face
came the fearful scourge, but painted
the sores faithfully, and held his hands
when he would fain tear off the terrible
scars. And when months after we left
home. we We're once more purified and
on our way back to civilization, he
asked me If / ever regretted giving