The San Saba news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1873-1966, 1888-12-21


hideons and repnlsive as she had last
seen her bright and beautiful
hysiciars came. but their experience
and wisdom awaited little The poison
had spread rapidly, been strongly incor-
pprated with the circulation. the action
d the heart paralyzed until it had almost
ceased TO beat Ammonia, iodine, every
Thing 10 he thought OF rs antidote.
hYdratic and palliative medicine were
tired without giving relief. The hideous
spots grew lsrger and more distinct
sinuous, twisting, creeping motions took
the place OF natural ones and hand aud
limb became more swollen. The suffer
ings Of the stricken girl became so terri
bic as 70 cause several to be carried
faiuting from the room, Others 10 turn
gnastij pale. grow sick and eagerly rush
into the outer air.
"Can nothing be done. Oh, my poor,
dear child" sobbed the heart-broken
mother. still cinging to the writhIng
FORM siillciinging to The hope long given
up by all others.
-'Noihing, came answered back from
The firmly compressed lips Of the physi-
cian-in chief eve have exhausted all
our knowledge, all ont skill, but
ic motioned to his associates, drew
them aside aud a whispered consultation
was held ''Chloroform" was the only
word that reached the strained ears Of
} anl Myratt, bit it was enough. He
knew but so well what it portcnded
that they were discussing the propriety
Of easing her terrible sufIerings and free
ing her pure soil from the roitng clay
By long, deep anesthetic slumber, by
one that would never be broken in this
world.
It was so decided, and while one Of
their number was absent procuring the
powerful chem cal combination they
aga gather d around their patient and
watched the spasms Of pain, the horrible
writings and contoriions, with profes-
sional interest, though not with fearless
eyes other than human would they
have been could they have done so.
In the midst Of the stiffness that was
worse than that OF death, a silence 10
which sound would come as the falling
Of clods upon the co in lid, a stranger
entered. So wild with excitement was
the town that 40 one could escape hear
ing # the accident In the great sorrow
-e-@=-e--. :-e--e.> ---fS-s-
single instant he remained, then went
out into the now clear and Tranquil night
and mounting horse rode away at Il
dangerous speed. His absence was brief
but even as he again entered the physi-
clans were holding the sometimes easing
the now-desIined TO be fatal anesthetic
for the stricken giil to breathe.
fastening TO the side of the bed the
stranger almost rudely pushed the men
OF medicine aside and exclaimed IN a
voice commanding, though intensely
permeated with emotion
'-Ce.sel Why would you commit
even ,. .iessional murder when the poor
child may be saged' Stand back and
give me room"
They looked upon him as mailman
and would aase laid violent hands upon
and thrust him out, but the di tracted
mother lung lie self upon her knees and
at his feet, and, as one clinglng to 4
straw when sinking for the last time.
begged him to save the lie OF her child
Il will. God helping me. he answered
firmly and positively Human means,
seconded by the prayer OF faith, can ac-
com plish great results. "
lie took a little package from bis
packet When the wrappings had been
removed there was exposed to vie~=C
small, dark grayish something. scarcely
more than an inch long and less in width
and III ckness.
1.-The madstonel The madstone!" burst
from many lips. ''Now may heaven be
thanked"
'.Be silent, - sternly commanded the
stranger, land control yourselves, what
e.er comes
And nv hid, my darling child, will
liye.7 exclaimed the almost exhausted
mother.
he is in the hands of the Great
physician. was answered, reyerently.
.'By mysterious ways now. as in the olden
time. lie can heal and raise the dead, If
such be His holy will"
The followers of + sculapius looked on
with scorrful eye and curling lips, and
the young naturalist with absorbing
interest, as the stone was applied to the
bite OF the serpent Neither had ever
seen one OF e almost fabulous articles
before. and doubted its reputed power.
For a moment II WIS held Chilly on the
swollen ard discolored flesh, taen it
chung firmly and pressed deeply of its
own yolition. and screams, prolonged
and of Undesirable agony. burst from
tne ashy and purple lips OF the girl.
1T adheres sucking out the poison q,
Watch how it change color" said the
stranger, with wonderful self control
There was no DENYING the fact The
dull, biaokish gray rapidly gave place to
green that deepened and frightened until
The stone l0osened its hold and fell into
the awaiting hand. 1t was placed in
wa m water to disgorge and again ap
pied. its power evidently less than at
firsi, It's green less pronounced. until it
absolutely refused to attach itself to the
skiu-hsd lost all its adhesive power.
From the frs; touch the screams Of the
girl had diminished, grown fainter and
fainter. then entirely ceased. and when
the maidstone in its silent way told that
its mission had been accomplished she
had sunk into a sound and healthy
slunber.
'-She will awake cured, will live, - said
the stranger. 81 cave her now to the
rest she needs. and morning and even
ing praise Him whose mysteries are past
finding out, the God of mercy, pity and
love
And you" was questioned, amid the
fearful blessings Of father and mother
"a humble servant of the Christ cru
crifed. the Redeemer sad Saviour lie
guided my wandering footsteps hither
He caused me 10 have knowledge Of the
whereabouts OF this wonderful stone. ]
am but simple instrument in his mighty
hand"
A year later a young, blushing, and
happy bride stood at the altar of a
orthern church. The same lips that
I had pronounced hsr cured from tie virus
Of the deadly mountain rsttle-snAks.