Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1890-05-27
FREDDIE'S FORTUNE.
The Romance That Grew Out OF
Nearly Fatal Accident.

I was a young doctor, not overbur-
dened with practice, when | sat half
doing in my surgery one sitting August
afternoon and was reused by a hustle in
the street and cry: "Here's doctori
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 figure, boy, about three years
old, covered with the blood flowing from
a 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?' l asked
one of the men.
1--WE don't own him." was the answer.
HE was a-running across the street and
hOAoO hiShOu MIN ONCI. mere,
indicating his companion, "he picked
him up and l come along to help find
doctor, cause Jim can't read"
Needn't a-shoved that in" 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 addressed
the 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 deliri-
Gus, and to carry HIM to hospital, or
even to his own home, may be fatal. 1
will send to the station house and
then"
You know l 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-"
l wrote a description OF the ohild'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, | ad.
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, nv little
patient was struggling hard for life
against fever and injuries. He was de.
lirious for many days. calling pitifully
Tor 'Mamma-pretty mammal" begging
her not to go away, and making our
hearts ache by often crying; "Oh, Aunt
Lucy, don't beat Freddiel Freddie will
will be goodl' or, Grandma, grandma,
ion't! don'tn' in cries of extreme terror.
Mother would get so excited with in
lignatton over those cries that [ saw
he child had won a fond place in her
warm heart.
He has been ill-treated. John, the
'retty darling!" she would say. Il hope
he cruel people who would hurt such
'aby Will never find him again"
The second week of his stay with us
vas closing and Freddie had regained
us reason and was on the road to recoy-
ny, when one morning a carriage
Iashed up to my door and two ladies
lighted
They wore rustling silks Of the latest
ashton and were evidently mother and ,
The younger lady was very
'eautlful, perfect blonde and dressed
n exquisite taste.
DR. Morrill?' inquired the elder lady
| bowed.
we called IN answer to an ADVERTISE
nent regarding child, my grandson.
gu Will probably think it strange wa !
ave not been here before, but we were
ollged to leave town the day before he =
vas lost and have just returned. The :
lurse who had him in charge ran away,
M while we supposed him safe at homt
e mas been lying in hospital, perhaps q
ying." P@ 9
We we're nearly distracted on our re. u
urn said the young lady, when we
alssed our darling; but an inquiry at
ne station house sent us here. The /
nicer also showed us your advertise I
nent. Where is our dear child?" /
he IS here" I answered, under nv O
'ing we'll" rF' say =
An unmistakable look of disappoint- n
emit crossed the faces Of my visitors d
10 'ne elder one said: Can we see n
m, doctor?" Sc =
asked permission to announce their o
ming TO my mother, and left the f
dies alone. When / returned aftor
me nVe minutes absence, / was strnck S,
the change in their faces. The e
,unger one was pale as ashes, and the h
aer one had set. hard look Of do. h
F@lnaElon, as if nerved by some sud "