Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1889-01-25
A BOGUS ANCHORESS.
The Story Of the Mysterious Sister
All Veronica.

The DOCTORS wife scanned her visitor In
silence. Who was to assure her that the
contributions she had already made would
be faithfully dedicated to the purpose for
which they had been glvenl What II these
black-robed women were not sisters" after
all. but merely bold impostors, who as
sumed the dress of tho order for the time
for their own selfish aims and purposcsi
She recalled herself from her reverie with
n little shudder, and her voice was hard and
cold as she spoke.
Sister Veronica, really do not feel JUS
tifiedjih helping your hospitals and asylums
any more think IL is time we were look
Ing up the poor about US. There may be
fellow-beings suffering In our midst without
n murmur; people whose pride forbids
them to appeal to public charity. l think
we should be doing more nobly If we de-
voted our time to looking up such cases,
instead of contributing to the support OF
distant institutions, OF which we know moth
ingn
20, madaml II others wore only of your
thinking" interrupted the visitor impctu-
ously. -
What theni fear you would not sue
ceed so we'll in your missions"
Mrs. Belden leaned forward as she spoke,
uuu BaZeuCurlOuSly upWulu lutO lHe COuHUo-
nance beneath the peaked white bonnet.
The momcntary futter and the crimson
wave which had transformed her callers
calm face passed away, leaving II cold and
still In Its purity.
zone must rejoice at any lesscning of tho
great sum of human misery" was the quiet
response.
The anchoress turned to co. She had not
only failed in her errand, but had met with
decided rebuff; yet at the door she paused
moment and held out shapely white
hand, which met the others in sympathetic
grasp.
The Doctors wife stood Mt the window,
with mingled curiosity and interest, and
watched her visitor depart. To her surprise
the latter did not continue up the street,
but retraced her steps along the lonely path
leading in the direction of the station-house.
Was she then only stopping off between
trains, and had she sauandered the few mo-
ments she had In which to do" the little
New Mexican townl or had she grown hope
less of success after her first fruitless eff
fortl "a
Several months sped by, and the good lady,
In spite Of her creditablo resolutions, had
taken no active step toward asccrtaining
the circumstances Of her neghbors. One
day had been too chilly, another too windy,
a third too warm, to sally forth on her char
liable crrand. So she had ctRtented herself
with making fsw inquiries of chance vis-
itors. She had been laughed at for her
pains. II was au axiom in the New Mexican
town that no worthy and industrious person
could ever suffer for lack OF food or raj
ment.
There came day when tho doctor was
late TO his siX-o'clock supper The table
a
tea simmered on the hearth. The young
house wife vibrated between table, stove
and window. The little cathedral clock on
the parlor-mautel sounded the half hour.
The young wife busted herself picking off
the dead leaves from twiuing smilax which
stood in the wlndow-so many withered
leaves do the housc-plants show In that ex-
asperating climate! Tho clock solemnly
knelled the hour of seven. The little woman
had grown too accustomed to the eXactions
of q physicinns life to feel more than impa.
tient. She sat down to the table alone and
tried TO eat, but only succeeded in swallow
Ing cup of tea and Bit Of fruit. Then she
resumed her post at the win low. A light
rain was falling, which increased until 1t
same in gusts and squalls, then settled into
steady down-pour.
II was after nine o'clock whom she de-
The gate opened and shut with click and
the doctor bounded up the steps of the por-
tico, to be met with u fearful greeting on
the part of his wife.
10, Robert! You don't know what
have suffered. was so afraid that some of
those dreadful men who are always shoot
Ing on the streets down-town-"
Nonsense childm But his voice was
shally. and as he reached out his hand and
laid a long morocco case on tho table, she
noticed that his face was pale and drawn.
''An operation, dcari What was itl"
Hc did not answer at once. Indeed, he
rat down to the table and drank his cup of
tea and ate slice or two OF bread and but
ter, chatting meanwhile, in an absent way
on Indifferent topic'.l II was only when
they had gone into the little parlor, and he
had thrown himself into great easy chair
before the glowing fire, that he recognized
her question.
"Aseven- year old boy. dear Leg crushed
beneath the cars. Stood it like hero"
'How did it happen-the injury, Imean"
"Slippsd and fell under backing engine
they seem to have been pretty badly on
;he mother and child-and the fireman Of
yard-engine No. 28 had been in tho habit OF
throwing off Jumps of coal for the little fel-
ow to pick up, To-day the lad tried to
,imb up before they had slowed down, and
missed his footing and fell"
"How he must have suffered"
"He never seemed TO think OF himself at
all. Was possessed with fear that the
brennan might be blamed. Beautiful little
fellow in spite OF his shabby clothes. Broad
white forhead, curling brown hair, and
thoughtful gray eyes. Do you know can't
get rid OF certain fancy that pve seen the
:hild beforel"
"Probably on the street." suggested Mrs.
Belden.
"No. no. Years ago; when / was boy,
or In some other existence"
"Where do they llvei"
~ declare, Bessie, / never suspected
here was such destitutlon In this place.
You remember those wretched dug-outs on
The other aide OF the railroadi Nothing TO
screen the entrance but piece OF worn-out
,entclcth. We had TO perform the opera
tion by the light of coai-oil lamp. She
held IL
1.-THE m0thorin
yes; and never finohed. Shielded II
with herband TO keep the rain from putting
put tho light. In all my professional expert
bnce neyer saw such selfcommand."
"Indiaareaoe, should Call ~" suggested
;be indignant listener