Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-06-19
FREDDIE'S FORTUNE.

Qeneu with Dracllce, Wnen l. sat nal1
doing in my surgery one sitting
August afternoon, and was reused by
q hustle in the street and a cry. Here's
doctor! Ring the bell!
By the time the ring was answered I
was wide awake and had my ''profes-
sional expression" on. Two men came
in, and one held in his arms limp,
senseless figure, boy, about 3 years
old, covered with blood flowing from
cash in his head. l took the little fell
low in my own arms and carried him
to sofa, while the men brought me
water and seemed deeply interested in
all my movements.
A broken arm and the deep cut on
the head kept me busy some time. but
at last my little patient was made as
comfortable as possible, and was moan
ing with recovered consciousness.
Have you far to carry him?" l
asked one of the men.
I'VE don't own him. was the an
swer. He was a-running across the
street and a horse kicked him over.
Jim, here, " indicating his companion,
''he picked him up, and | come along
to help find doctor, cause Jim can't
read.'
Needn't a-shoved that inr' growled
Jim turning red. Poor little chap,
how he groans!'
Il will give him something to quiet
him presently" said, land will send
word to the station house if his name is
not on his clothes"
The men departed and l lifted my
charge once more and went upstairs to
my mothers room, over the surgery.
1t did not take many minutes to en-
list her sympathies, and we undressed
tine child and put him in her wide bed,
hoping to find some mark upon his
clothing. There was none, and when
/ saw this l spoke frankly, Mother.
there is just one chance for the little
fellows life, and that is perfect quiet.
He will have fever, probably be de-
lirous. and to carry him to hospital,
or even to his own home, may be fatal.
| will send to the station house and
them"
you know | will nurse him, John, :"
my mother said. IF his mother comes
she must do as she thinks best but,
until she does come leave him to me. -
wrote description of the child's
long brown curls and brown eyes, of
the delicate suit of clothes in which he
was dressed, and sent it to the station
house. No call being made in three
days, | advertised him for a week, and
still he was not claimed. 1t was very
strange, for the child's pure delicate
skin and dainty clothing seemed to
mark him as the child of wealth.
But while he lay unknown, my little
patient was struggling hard for life
against fever and injuries. He was
delirous for many days, calling pitt
fully for sMamma-pretty mammal
begging her not to 90 away, and max
ing our hearts ache by often crying
ooh, Aunt Lucy; don't beat Freddie!
Freddie will be goodr or, "Grandma,
grandma, don't, don't!' in cries of ex-
IRENE terror.
Mother would get so excited with in
dignatlOn over those cries, that | saw
the child had won fond place in her
warm heart.
He has been ill-treated, John, the
pretty darling!'' she would say. Il hope
the cruel people who could hurt such a
baby will never find him again"
The second week of his stay with us
was closing and Freddie had regained
his reason and was on the road to re-
covery. when one morning a carriage
dashed up to my door and two ladies
alighted.
They wore rustling silks of the latest
fashion and were evidently mother and
daughter. The younger lady was very
beautiful, perfect blonde and dressed
in exquisite taste.
CDR. Morrill?" inquired the elder
lady.
/ bowed
eve called in answer to an adver-
tisement regarding a child, my grand
son. You will probably think it
strange we have not been here before,
but we were Obliged to leave town the
day before he was lost and have just re-
turned. The nurse who had him in
charge ran away, and while we sup
posed him safe at home he has been
lying in a hospital, perhaps dying"
We were nearly distracted on our
return" said the young lady. when
we missed our darling; but an inquiry
at the station house sent us here. The
officer also showed us your advertise
ment. Where is our dear child?"
He is here" answered, under my
mothers care and, 1 am happy to say,
doing we'll"
An unmistakable look of disappoint-
ment crossed the faces of my visitors,
but the elder one said, "can we see
him, doctor?n
| asked permission to announce their
coming to my mother, and left the
ladies alone. When | returned, after
some five minutes absence, 1 was
struck by the change in their faces.
The younger one was pale as ashes, and
the elder one had set, hard look of
determination, as if nerved by some
sudden resolution.
led the way to my mothers bed
room, where Freddie was in profound
slumber. The younger lady shrank
back in the shadow of the bed curtains,
but the mother advanced and bent over
the child.
There was moment of profound
silence, then, in a hard voice the old
lady said. Il am sorry to put you to so
much trouble, Doctor Morrill,. This is
not the child we lost"
A heavy fall startled us, and turned
to see the young stranger scnseless on
the floor. Her mother spoke quickly,
The disappointment is too much for
her. We so hoped to find my grand
son -
I did not reply. The delirous raw
ings of the child were still ringing in
my ears as he pleaded with the harsh
grandmother and aunt. | did not be-
lieve the old lady's statement, but.