Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1888-04-18

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that hot, dirty place. He was moth
ing to her except a suffering fellow
mortal, but her kind heart was touch
ed with pity. "As We have done it
unto one of these, We have done it I'M
to Me-" she murmured, as she went
down the stairs: 81 will do what lit
tie can for the poor old man."
She found the slovenly landlady
and told her that Mr.. Watkins was
very sick, and ought to have doctor.
"Don't suppose he's got anything to
pay one with" said the woman. HE
docs manage to pay his board, but l
guess it takes all he makes. He's
crack brain anyhow. But I'll send
for a doctor. only he mustn't look to
me for his pay"
avery well. I'll come back this
evening and see how he is, and bring
some ice" said Annie.
She took car back to the store as
quick as possible.
AS she hung up her hat, Mr.. Hess
said:
1.-TWO hours behind, Miss Whit
ridge"
Eyes, sir; | was attending a sick
friend, and could not help it," said
Annie.
"Very, well you know the rule !;
don't let it happen again" said Mr..
Hess.
Annie bowed and went to her place.
All day she kept thinking of the
strange adventure she had met with.
at seems to me-" she said, that
Providence has put it into my hands,
and it is my duty to help this old man.
I mean to do it, and ask no reward,
only to have him get we'll"
At dinner time she told her story
to her brother, and made him promise
after business hours at night to 60
with her to see her old patient.
Henry Whitridge was as ready as
she for any kindly deed of charity,
and he promised to go with her.
They did go, taking some wine and
small basket of ice. They found
the doctor there, and heard them say
it was very bad case.
eff you are friends of his you had
better care for him few days." he
said. "He won't live over this, not
likely over two or three days, and
he'll need closer attention than he'll
get here"
"He is no relative of ours" said
Annie, "but l will stay and nurse him
myself. | will, Henry, if / lose my
place." she added. at would be in.
human to let him die here alone"
"Well, l believe you are right, An
ME. | will help you all l can; and
if you do lose your place, | reckon
Providence will help you find an.
other" said Henry.
"Go to the store in the morning,
and tell them / cannot be there for
two or three days" said Annie, "and
ask Mr.. Hess to hold my place. II
Mr.. Strawbridge was home, l know
he would do it. But he is away, and
Mr.. Hess is not very obliging."
"I'll do it Annie. And if he won't
hold your place, you know you have
home until you get another" said
Henry.
Henry stayed with her that night,
but the next day he was obliged to 90
to his work.
For three days the faithful girl
watched over the old stranger, assist.
ed by Henry, when he could spare
the time.
He grew worse, and the fourth day
they saw he could live only short
time.
Don't leave me, please DON'T" he
said to Annie. And she promised to
stay. And stay she did, until the
evening of the fifth day, before the
old man was rational again.
"Then he called her to him and
said, "Child, I'm going fast. ! said
I'd reward you. | will. See that tin
box on that shelfi"
Annie said yes, she saw it.
THE key is in my pocket. When
| am gone, take it to Messrs. Stafford
& Lincolnfelter, the lawyers, in 9TH
street. They'll open the box and fix
all. You promise, child?"
Eyes, / promise" said Annie.
"You'll take the box to them p
II will, Mr.. Wilkins"
"Then | am content. 1t was for
the children, but they are gone, and
it's all yours. Take it the very first
thing. The directions for my burial
are in there"
"I'll take it at once" said Annie.
She did not think it anything more
than another of his "crack Drained
vagaries, the more so because she
knew these men were great lawyers,
and had probably never heard of poor
Simeon Watkins.