The Opelousas courier., 1889-04-13

Specs
81 don't know any thing about his
fathers but | think Jim is the best and
most intelligent boy of his age that |
know. Do you wish him to go to the
hospitalp"
"As he likes" replied Mrs. MILAN,
carelessly. Il don't believe nothing
will make those legs straight 'Taint
as though it were an accident; 1t runs
in the family"
IF any thing could be done it would
probably be by breaking the bones of
both legs, and the boy would be in bed
a month. Could you lie quietly on your
back for four weeks, Jim2"
Eyes, Or a year, so as I should be
like other bows"
''If he's set on it, fiurse, he'd better
go, Il you can give him a letter."
81 will give him a letter." said nurse,
rising. She glanced round the crowd
ed little room, and longed to put in a
plea for more space and light; but ex-
perience had taught her 1t was useless.
The Millans were very r~espectablei
but the husband was an enthusiastic
politician, and his spare time and cash
were devoted to the AUS of his par.
ticular creed, He alec had legs so
bowed 90 to be q hideous deformity,
and perhaps this had helped to embit-
ter the mans spirit. Poor Mrs. MILAN
had a hard time of 1t often with
this cantanlferous husband of hers;
and her speech had grown very
sharp, her nature hard, through
constant collision with the man she
had married from love and pity. She
had to work to keep the home togeth-
err; and small room though that home
consisted OF. it was often difficult to
pay the rent, So nurse made no COM
plant of the untidy close room but
wrapped her cloak around her, and
nodding goodbye to Jim. went forth
into the storm-driven streets again.
That very afternoon she applied to
the matron of the District Nursing So
ciety, and secured an out-patient's let
ter for Little Bow-legs. She scarcely
thought the surgeons would attempt
to straighten such crooked limbs; but
the boy might become more content
were he once persuaded that his
burden was inevitable.
Mrs. MILAN took Jim to the hospital
the next Saturday afternoon. They
found many friends in the out-patients'
waiting-hall, and Mrs. MILAN enjoyed
a good gossip before Jim's turn came
to enter the Surgeons room. At last
the porter passed her in; and a nurse
in q white cap and apron came for.
ward and took the letter, and after
CHANGING at it, stripped off Jim's shoes
and stockings and set him on a chair
before the surgeon. A few rapid ques.
tions were asked. and several of the
students examined the legs.
"My boy, do you want your legs put
straight" asked the surgeon at last.
"Yessir.n
''You are quite sure you are willing
to bear some pain?"
"Yessir?n
.'Give him6 ticket for the children
ward. Smith. Next case, nurse"
Jim's heart failed him for a momen1
when he found himself in the long
ward with so many curious eyes fixed
onhim as he walked along in his un'
calmly name Every Il seemed
very busy; and a nurse whisked
screen round a crib and slipped jim
into bed in no time, and then dismissed
his mother. telling her to come agar
the next afternoon. Jim pulled tht
clothes over his head and cried a lit
tie; but presently a baby girl in thu
next crib began Growing at him. ant
Jim played bo-peep with her through
the bars.9Gradually he gathered coGs'
age to look ardfnd. There were aacl
lots of pictureAl and toys and flower
about in this ldrge, bright room, tina
Jim thought it must be like the fair.
palace in the hook Nurse Grant ha'
. lent him. Presently there came cow
the ward a tall woman in adark dress
but wearing a soft white cap with loni
floating strings, and a dainty apron
She had the most beautiful face Jir
had ever seen, and she was Away
smiling. There were some people VIII
knew Sister Mona well who said tina
when she wasn't smiling her face wa
the saddest face on earth. But Jill
never saw Sister without a smile; an
: because of the love and compassio
which dwelt in her eyes, he Away
thought she locked like the photo
graph of the Christ which hung oppt
site his bed. The Sister stood besid
his crib while she read his entrane
ticket; then she had a look at the poo
= crooked legs. She talked cheerful
to jim all the time, but seemed to u
dergand, as no one else had don
what a grievous afaiction is an eve
present deformity. However, the ne,
= day when Mrs. MILAN came, Sist'
!, took her into her own little room ar
: asked her seriously to consider whetl
= er she desired her son to undergo 6
operation before she came to a fin
: decision.
: BLESS me, Sister, / brought hi
here for an operation. certainly air
a-going to take him out again. !
gave me no peace till ! brought hir
now here he must stop till summat
!, done"