Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1890-10-01
ONE EXPERIENCE OF "LA GRIPPE. +"
BY A. C. PHELPS.

BY A. c. PHELPS.
s'Three times ringing ought to bring
some one," soliloquized Gertrude Por-
ter, as she gave the bell another vigor-
Gus pull "Wouldn't it serve me well
for not writing, if they were all away !?
Or perhaps they have that new disease
heard so much about this morning.
hope not, for I'm hungry There comes
someone now"
The door was opened by a woman
wrapped in shawl, looking the picture
of despair.
''Gertie, Gertie, / am so glad to see
you p she exclaimed, with little ami
nation.
81 thought you would be- But what
IS the matter? Have you the grip?"
eyes, we have" was the doleful re-
ply. "And don't laugh; it has passed
that stage, and is now serious matter.
Mother, father, and the boys are in
bed"
s'I heard people talking, while I was
waiting for the street car, about so many
being iii, said Gertrude, "but we had
not thought anything of it at home"
eve hoped to escape, as we are In
such healthy locality" groaned Mrs.
Upton; ''but we are all down to-day"
Gertrude had taken off her wraps.
ellie on the lounge, Cousin Annie, ,"
said she, ''and tell me III about it.
"Mr. Upton wanted breakfast early
this morning, and found that Norah
was not able to prepare it. [ told him
I would do so, but was unable to dress.
boys in the same condition. We
thought of the grip, and John went out
and sent in DIR. Peters, who said we
would be all right in few days if we
kept in the house. | thought / might
be able to 90 for the medicine, but had
to give that up"
81 will go for it myself" said Ger
trude eff Cousin John comes back
before do, he can stay with you until
my return"
'EI am afraid Gerteude will get lost, -
called Mrs Rich.
s'But if the doctor orders the medi-
cine you must have It," laughed Gertie.
az shall find my way all right. | have
tongue"
"And | think you know how to use
it," remarked Mr.. Rich, dryly.
81 hope / do, Uncle Sam. Wouldn't
give cent for girl who didn't. Take
the car TO Sixth Avenue, then turn to
the right Pm of"
Gertrude felt that with so many i'll
she must do something, and to procure
the medicine was her first duty; but
she protested more courage than she
felt. However, she took the first car
she met, leaving it at Sixth Avenue, as
directed. No car to be seen going to the
right. 49,
1sShe said it was only about fifteen
minutes walk from the corner" re-
f1ected Gertrude, so [ will not wait. !"
Ten minutes of very rapid walking,
and then, thinking she must be very
nearly there, she said to policeman:
az want to find Frank Smiths drug
store. Can you tell me where it is ?"
"Well, miss, you're on the wrong
road intirely. Jest turn about, an
head yerself the other way for half a
mile"
ssHalf mile the other way? Then I
car. Yet thought she said the right
hand"
'sCan't say as to that, miss; but you
Jest walk the other way for a matter of
twenty minutes, and you'll see the sign
all right"
Gertrude retraced her steps, then
walked ten minutes longer, and found
the sign, just as the jovial policeman had
said. But it read I'll. F. Smith"
''I must be wrong again." exclaimed
poor Gertrude, in dismay.
However, she went in.
'tIs this Frank Smiths drug store ?''
she inquired of the clerk
He hesitated.
s'This is Henry Frank Smiths. There
is a Frank Smith who keeps drug
store mile below
A glance at the careless disorder OF
H. +. Smiths store and Gertrude quick
iv decided to retrace her steps. This
time she took car, and arrived at he1
destination without further adventure
Prescription number one | want I'M
mediatefy," she said, handing several
papers to the sorrowful-looking attend
ant, "and as the others will take some
time to prepare, [ will call for them in
the morning"
He read them each one, deliberated
coughed, looked them over again
sneezed, and finally inquired:
'Who wrote prescription number
One?''
esDoctor Peters wrote them all -
tiWhy did he not [coughl sign bis
name to this one ?' and he eyed hel
suspiciously.
81 did not know that be had not done
So" said Gertrude.
'sThe name is not here; and cannot
put it up without his signature. If Mr.
Smith was here-but he is sick and al
nome" and the gloomy clerk looked
gloomier than before.
EsI don't know what [ can do" said
this young country girl, almost in de-
spair.
ssYou can probably find Dr. Peters by
going to the hospital, suggested the
clerk, Frightening little under the in
auence of an original idea ''He was
to be there for an operation at one
O'Clock, and one meSns two nowadays
If you 90 now you can get there al
three. and you II catch [cough] him, I'm