Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-11-28
CHAPTER XXIY.
STRANGE COMPLICATIONS.

Exert all the powers Of your mind,
and conceive, if you can, what that
mother felt whose only son sickened,
and, after racking her heart with hopes
and fears, died before her eyes, and was
placed in his coffin and carried to his
rest. Yet One in the likeness Of man
babe the bearers stand still, then, with
a touch, made the coffin open, the dead
come back, blooming with youth and
health, and handed him to his mother.
That picture no mortal mind can
realize: but the effort Will take you so
far as this: you may imagine what Wal
ter Clifford felt when, almost at the
climax Of despair, he received from that
living tomb the good and beautiful
creature who was the light of his eyes
and the darling of his heart.
How he gloated on her! How hemur-
INJURED words of comfort and joy over
her as the cage carried her and Hope
and him up again into the blessed sum
shine! And there, what burst of eX-
ultatiOn and honest rapture received
them!
Everybody was there. The news of
Hopes signal had been wired to the
surface. An old original telegraph had
been set up by Colonel Clifford and its
arms set flying to tell him. That old
campaigner was there, with his spring
break and mattresses, and an able ply
stefan. BARLEY was there, pale and old,
and trembling and crying. He fell on
his knees before Hope and Grace. She
drew back from him with repulsion; but
he cried out: mo matter! no matter!
They are saved! they are savedT
Walter carried her to his father, and
left BARLEY kneeling. Then he dashed
back for Hope, who did not move and
found him on his knees insenSible. A
piece of coal, driven by one of the mems
picks, had struck him on the temple.
The gallant fellow had tried to hide his
hurt with his handkerchief which was
soakedwithblood,a ndthe man, exhausted
by hunger, violent emotions and this last
blow. feltneither his trouble nor his joy.
He was lifted with tender pity into the
break, and the blood stanched, and
stimulants applied by the doctor. But
Grace would have his head on her bosom,
and her hand in Walters. Fortunately,
the doctor was no other than that ply
stefan who had attended Colonel Cliff
ford in his dangerous attack of internal
govt. We say fortunately, the patients
who have endured eXtremitieS of hunger
have to be treated with very great skill
and caution. Gentle stimulants and
mucilages must precede solid food, and
but a little Of anything be taken at
time. Doctor Garner began his treat
ment in the very break. The first
spoonful of egg and brandy told upon
Grace Hope. Her department. had been
strange. She had seemed confused at
times, and now and then she would cast
look of infinite tenderness upon Wal
ter. and then again she would knit her
brow and seem utterly puzzled.
But now she gave Walter look that
brought him nearer to her, and she said,
with a heavenly smile, you love me
hest better than the other" sen she
began to cry over n6r father.
Better than the other!" said Walter,
aloud. what other"
"Be quiet" said the doctor. 'sDo you
really think her stomach can be empty
for six days. and her head be none the
worse? Come, my dear, another spoon
full. Good gin! Now let me look at
you. Mr.. Walter"
why, what is the matter with b5n1g"
said the Colonel. Il never saw him look
better in all my life"
Indeed! Red spots on his cheek
bones, ditto on his temples, and his
eyes glaring."
Excitement and happiness" said Wal
ter.
The doctor took no notice of him.
"He has been outraging nature" said
he, "and she will have her revenge. We
are not out of the wood yet, Colonel
Clifford, and you had better put them
all three under my command"
Il do, my good friend; do" said
Colonel Clifford, eagerly. 1T is your
department, and don't believe IN two
commanders"
They drew up at the great door of
Clifford Hall. 1t seemed to open Of it
self, and there were all the servants
drawn up in two lines.
They all showed eager sympathy, but
| only John Baker and Mrs. Milton ven
! tured to express it. God bless you all"
said Colonel Clifford But it is our
! turn now. They are all in the doctors
hands My whole household, obey him
| to the letter. 1t is my order. Doctor
! Garner, this is Mrs. Milton. my house
| keeper. You viii find her a good lieu
/ tenant"
Mrs. Milton" said the doctor, sharp
J ". warm baths in three rooms, and to
! bed with this lot Garry Mr.. Hope up;
| he is my first patient. bring me eggs,
! milk, brandy, new port-wine. Cook"
"Sir?"
Hammer three chickens to pieces
with your rollingpin, then mince them;
! then chuck them into a big pot with
| cold water. stew them an hour, and
then boil them to a jelly, strain and
! serve. Meantime, send up three slices
| of mutton half raw: we will do little
| chewing, not much"
The patients submitted Ike lambs