The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-05-23
FREDDIE'S FORTUNE.
The Romance That Grew Out of
a Nearly Fatal Accident.

The Romance That Grew Out of
Nearly Fatal Accident.
l was a young doctor, not oYerbur-
dened with practice, when I sat half
doing in my surgery one sitting August
afternoon and was reused by a hustle in
the street and cry: "Heres Goctori
Ring the bell"'
By the time the ring was answered /
was wide awake and had my ''profes-
sional expression" on. Two men came
in and one held in his arms a limp,
senseless fruro, a boy, about three years
old, covered with the blood flowing from
cash in his head. / took the little
fellow in my own arms and carried him
to the 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 COM
Portable as possible and was moaning
with recovering consciousness
''Have you far to carry him?'' / asked
one of the men.
I'VE don't own him." was the answer
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 a
doctor, cause Jim can't read.''
Needn't ashoved that IMP growled
Jim, turning red. ''Poor little chap,
how he groans!'
II will give him netting to quiet
him presently" I said, land will send
word to the station house, if his name
is not on his clothes"
The men departed and 1 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
the child and put him in her wide bed,
hoping to find some mark upon his
clothing. There was none, and when l
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 deliri-
Gus, and to carry him to hospital, or
even to his own home, may be fatal.
will send to the station house and
then"
''You know | will nurse him, John"
my mother said. IF his mother comes,
she must do as she thinks best, but I'M
til she does come leave him to me-"
| wrote a 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, 1 adj
vertised him for 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 de-
lirious for many days, calling pitifully
for Mamma pretty mammal" begging
her not to go away, and making our
hearts ache by often crying: ''Oh, Aunt
Lucy, don't beat Freddie! Freddie will
will be good!'' or, Grandma, grandma,
don't! dOn't!' in cries of extreme terror.
Mother would get so excited with in
dignation over those cries that 1 saw
the child had won fond place in her
warm heart.
HE has been ill-treated, John, the
pretty darling!" she would say. 81 hope
the cruel people who would 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 recov-
cry, when one morning 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.
"Dr. MORRILL," inquired the elder lady
/ bowed.
1--WE called in answer to an advertise
ment regarding child, my grandson.
You will probably think it strange we
have not been here before, but we were
obliged to leave town the day before he
nurse who had him in charge ran away,
and while we supposed him safe at home
he has been lying in hospital, perhaps
dying"
''We were nearly distracted on our re-
turn" 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" I answered, under my
mothers care, and, 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?"
asked permission to announce. their
coming to my mother, and left the
ladies alone. When I returned, after
some five minutes absence, was struck
by the change in their faces. The
younger one was pale as ashes, and the
elder one had a set, hard look of de-
termination, as if nerved by some sud-