Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-12-20
AN ANGEL ON. EARTH.

She was not a nun, consecrated to
solitary service of her church, shut up
in convent; but one of a Protestant
sisterhoOd, whose VOWS were voluntary
and binding only SO long as the
heart indicated. She was a nursing
sister, having a special gift for thai
form of usefulness, a tender touch, a
firm will, a steady hand, and a good
memory.
Whenever there was specially
critical case in the hospital, where
most of her time was spent the physi-
clan in charge asked always for Sister
Agatha.
Not more than thirty five or SIX
years of age, with statuesque face,
exqusitely regular in feature, with
large brown eyes and pure pale COM
plexion, she looked like one for whom
all the Joy of life was over. Never
stern, never out of temper, there was a
depth of patientlV-endured sorrow in
her large soft eyes, a pathetic curve on
her lips, that told of ever-present
grief, submission, but with no hope
this side of the grave.
The rules of the order to which she
belonged not exacting her renuncia-
ton of her property, she had control
of ample means, and her purse was
always open to charity. Dressing in
the rigidly simple dress of her order,
allowing herself no personal indul-
gence, her large income kept many a
man from despair, after long wasting
illness, helped many a woman, COM
forted children, fed the hungry and
clothed the naked in the broadcast ac-
ceptance of the words.
She was busted in her little office al
the end of long hospital ward, writ
ing her lists for the night to distribute
amongst the nurses under her, arrang-
ing hours, medicine, and patients in
systematic order, when a tap at the
door was followed by the entrance OF
the resident physician.
His face said ''New, serious cases.
before he spoke.
"An accident" he said, watching
her quick fingers rs she arranged the
lists; "a woman; run over, half intoXi-
Gated, / think, not with drink, but
opium"
Dangerously hurtP"
"Yes; the horse set his hoof full on
her breast, and she is n perfect skele
ton; bones crushed; hemorrhage. Car
you come at once? Sister Hester is il
charge now, but if YOU can take the
case tonight should prefer it.''
Il can"
She followed the doctor rs she spoke
until she stood by a narrow bed
around which a screen had beer
drawn. The examination of the sur
geon had been made, all that could bt
done, in the patients exhausted condi
ton, had been, and the woman lay
with fever-iushed cheeks, breathing
with pain and difficulty, but rolling
her head and mGttering low words.
As the doctor drew near the bed tn,
patient opened her eyes, ana fixing
them upon the nurses face, cried, in .
hoarse ehoked voice, that was terrible
to hear:
Bertha Lewisi Bertha Lewis! Al.
ways haunting mei-always coming tC
mel Have l not suffered, too? Can
never, never fc"get?n
'.Quite delirious," the doctor said il
a low tone.
Sister Agatha did not reply, moving
to the head of the bed, and arranging
the articles upon a small table there
her face turned from the sufferer.
Nothing could have been in stronger
contrast than her calm pale face, Will
its dark eyes and the black hair
smoothly banded, and almost covered
by her close white cap, and the brill
liant blue eyes, flushed face, anC
tangled hair upon the pillow.
There was still great beauty in tina
worn haggard face. and it was easy tt
see that it had once been that of ;
lovely blonde, delicate and childish
Even now, thin and prematurely old
with lines on the cheeks and forehead
there was something childish in it,
weak mouth and the wide blue eyes.
All the evening she raved, her voice
growing weaker, her breathing more
difficult.
Toward midnight she fell into :
deep sleep, and it was nearly dawn
when she opened once more the grea
blue eyes. from which all fever anC
delirium had gone, but which were
dim and languid.
who are you? What is it alp
she said in low voice. Il was rul
over. Am / hurt much?"
Eyes" Sister Agatha said: ''yol
were badly hurt. and you must keel
very still. Talking is very bad 70
YOU
Blu. you? Who are You?n
al am your nurse-Sister Agatha.
'tHave been here long?"
''Since yesterday afternoon"
Yesterday !! Oh, the children
Where are the children?n
.'You left children at home?n
''Two. My Harry and Daisy. Al
the rest are dead. Yesterday!
must 60"
She tried to rise, but, moaning pit
eously, fell back again.
''Tell me where you live" said Sis
ter Agatha gently, land will send t
see about your children. I promis
you they shall be put in kind care a
once"
The patient gave an address in loy
locality, and the name s'Mrs. Hunting