The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-09-03

ample OF Christ-like patience and endur-
ance. Think Of Robert Mowbray nursing
his sick and buryiug his dead! Think OF
him at the relief station, standing in the
street through weary hours, awaiting his
turn to receive vial OF medicine, or a
loaf Of bread! Think OF him returning TO
his home only to find he had come too
late! Think OF him at the undertaker's,
begging, pleading, for poor pine box and
a handful OF nails Think OF him driving
those nails with his own hands. and then
think how you and and all Of us have
repined at small disappointments, or the
thwarting OF worldly ambitions
"On the tenth day all was over, Even
the cooling babys voice was hushed, and
Robert was alone in the world. To my
great establishment, he expressed desire
to escape the fever, and live could
not then understand why he chung to his
desolatc life but begged him to fly from
the doomed city.
"'No, he said, mot while the need Of
nurses is 50 great. You are worn out. ]
will 80 with you, and tighten your labor5
all can
"From that hour he was the son Of my
adoption, and together we went from house
TO house, ministcring to the sick. Some
lived, many died. but the strong heart and
willing hands OF Robert brought blessing
TO every home. No one OF those who felt
his cheering presence, or heard his words
of hope and comfort, guessed at the bleed
ing wounds hidden in his own brave heart.
"Autumn came, and still the sun shOne
| with summer heat, the nights crept on
with deadly chill, and the fever was una
bated. One day, late in October, | was
ordered TO house on Alabama street.
The change that came over Robert, when
the order was given, startled me.
so cannot go there! he gaspod. DO
not ask me- cannotp
Poor boy, said l. you are tired l
must find place for you to rest.
''He sat down, and covered his face with
his hands.
"What passed through his mind only
the Power that reads our secret thoughts
can know; but he rose up with renewed
strength, took tho case OF medicines from
my hand, and led the way to Alabama
street. II was home-like house, in the
midst OF green yard, where honeysucklc,
jasmine and sweet autumn roses mingled
| their perfume 4 servant conducted us TO
the siek.soom, where a partially delirious
man lay tossing upon his bed, calling in
cessantly for water. | quickly prepared a
| quoting potion, and directed Robert TO
administer it, Never can forget the look
| that came into the sick mans face when
| the boy approached his bed.
"'Iloracc MOwbrayV he shrieked. BE.
gonel Why do you come here to torture
me? Is not this fiery thirst enough Take
back this house! It has brought me moth
ing but misery. DO you not see me dying
in its accursed wallsY o fend, tiend, 10
come in that form OF youth and health,
while lie DYING OF this lOathsomo plague!
Robert instantly quilted the room, but
| the man raved on till his strength was cX-
| hausted. With n servants aid, gave the
medicine, and when 1t produced sleep /
sought Robert, and asked him 10 explain
the painful scene lie told his story
briefly, between great choking sobs.
"'My fathers name said he, is
Horace, and am said to he strikingly
| like him at my age. This was his house.
Here and all the children, except little
| Horace, were born. year ago nay father
WIS very sick, and the doctors said lac
could not live. lie got well, hut his mind
was gone. This man had been his play.
mate in childhood, his friend in youth,
| his business partner in manhood. lie
| took from US our home, and turned ms
| into tho street We rented the little
house on Brinklcy avenue; mother took
in sewing and got place to work at SIS
a month.
owe wanted n keep father with Us,
/ but DIR. Avent, who was always very kind,
persuaded mother 20 send him 10 the
| asylum at Nashville, that he might have
the benefit Of the best medical skill.
Mother prayed day and night for his mind
a. be restored, but | hope now IL never
| will be. Still | want 90 live 10 comfort
| him II IL does come back. All you sec
| here was ours. Mother took nothing
away, except fathers watch and chain
aud a lockut he always wore. II has q
| picture Of mother when she was a bride.
"'Whon the children got sick, aud We
/ had so few comforts for them, took the
watch aud chain and locket to pawn.
| broker, and he let me have five dollars.
Here are the tickets Keep them, and II ]
should die, get the things for mother.
sake; her picture is very beautiful.
| "'Aunt Dilsey was always faithful. She
hal nurscd all my grandmOthcr'T chill
dren, and would never leave mother.
don't think the fever killed her. You
know II goes easy with oolorcd people.
believe she died Of grief
"a groan from the sick man recalled
me TO his room, but Robert did not enter
Il again. lie kept out OF sight, but within
call-and | was glad for him TO have the
rest"
1.-THE foyer ran lis course, and on IN,
fourth night left It's victim utterly pros
trato. II | could keep him alive until
morning, lac would recover. Siimulant'
werp the only means Of accomplishin.
this end but NlICn ! went 10 my mudi.
cine case Tor my little llssk OF brandy,
found IL empty. The temptation had
been too great for the servant who had
access 20 the room. What was 10 bC
done? ! called up the domcsiics, and Of
icrd reward 10 the ono who would
carry m order 20 the relief committc,
and bring me some brandy, but nothing
could induce them 10 venture out Ia the
night air and drcnching rain.
ITO 10 myself was impossible. and
was resolved that R0lcri should not 10.
though he was asleep, but on hearing the
front door softly opened and rlussl. my
fears wcro aroused. ! has'cnoi io Dbl.
room. lie was not there mnout upol
tho porch, and rallied him to zone back.
The pcliing rain drowned my voice.
never saw my boy again.
"Ilo made his way through rain and
darkness To the rooms Of the Howard 49,
ISOLATION, and stated the rasc 10 tho mrm.
Der In charge, who was especially inter.
cslcd, the sick man being his near rcla.
tive,
Robert was wet aud exhausted. AMI
unable TO rcturn Immediately. but = luIl
IN the storm attended an opportunity H
| hiannirh a mn.lnl.nr MLih IL. nr.uL.