Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-10-09
GOING HOME TOGE Their.

OOINO ifONiL JUL tIEtH
AS | entered the room and felt my
way to the bedside of the person | had
been sent to minister to, | could not
but feel a strange emotion of pity well
up in my heart. | had often beheld,
and had become accustomed to, scenes
of poverty and suffering but there
was something different in this place
from what | was in the habit of asso-
ciating with in the lower class. The
room was almost devoid of furniture;
in fact. | might say, entirely so, for all
my eyes could see in the semi-daril-
ness was little bedstead, mattressless
and covered with an old quilt tat
tered blanket, a small table, Il chair
and a tiny cupboard. But | did not
allow much of my time to be taken up
with these observations, for | had
been summoned to relieve the suffer-
inos of II sick woman.
| drew back torn curtain from the
broken-paned window, and, by the aid
of little shaft of sunshine that came
dancing into the room, | saw pale,
2inched face resting uneasily against
the cotton pillow, while pair of deep
blue eyes met mine with "a pitiful gaze.
A beautiful head, covered with mass
Of nut-broWn curls, tossed to and fro
by the pains that were racking it,
and slowly, but surely, swapping the
life from the frail form. | took the
wasted hand in mine and felt the hut-
tering pulse, the stroke of which de-
noted great weakness.
How long have you been sick?n |
asked.
about a month"; was the gasping
reply, and IA half-suppressed moan fol
lowed the answer.
You are not here alone, are you?" |
continued, as thrill of sympathetic
sadness ran over me, imagining this
little creature without company in this
dreary place, and sick.
A faint, tender smile Huttered about
her parched lips as she replied:
NO; John stays with me as much
as he can, but you know he must search
for work and can not give me all his
noble heart would like to-"
| thought of the stout broad-shoul-
dered fellow who had come to me and
begged me to make the call and felt
that he must be John.
He is your husband, is he not?" |
asked.
Yes, came the low answer.
Why doesn't he get some one to
stay with yOu?"
I'VE are strangers here" she said.
sand know no one who would come.
unless we were able to pay them, and
that is impossible, for John has not
been at work but a few days since we
came. He sits up with me at night
and during the day looks for something
10 do, coming every now and then to
see that | am all right
just then soft step was heard at
the door, and looking up | beheld
John entering. lie came to the bed.
and, STOPPING, tenderly lifted the fraiI
body and held it in his arms as if she
were IN infant. The great beaminG
eyes turned toward him with love-
light shining from their depths that is
rarely equaled, and as his lips bent
and gently careSsed the little mouth a
look of perfect happiness lit up the
countenance of the young wife. Pres
emily he put her back on the bed, and,
motionng to me, walked from the
room, | followed and Joined him on
the outside.
He turned as reached his side, and
with a face worn and thin from tire
less Watching and suspense asked:
Doctor. can she live?'
Not in this place" | replied, ''she
must be removed, and that at once, to
quarters where she will have careful
nursing and close attention"
He buried his face in his hands and
sobbed like a child, and huskily said:
i have been trying to get her to 90
to her mothers, in the country, where
she would oct all of this; but, doctor,
she refused to 90 unless | accompany
her. and that is out of the question, for
/ have barely enough to send her. You
see, - and here he faltered, 1--WE ran
away from home and got married,
which made her parents very angry.
They have sent all OF our letters back
to us unopened, but if she would 90
to them | know they would take her
in
Would you 90 if you could?" l
asked, as he ceased speaking and once
more broke the stiffness with his sobs.
Would I?' he almost screamed,
my God, doctor, l would give this
right arm OF mine for enough to pay
our way to the country home she de-
serted for me.
Go, then" | quickly replied, land
get carriage. and | will have her
ready by the time you return; YOU
shall 90 home together"
He did not pause for a moment, and
was almost flying down the street be-
fore | had ceased speaking. | re-
entered the sick-chamber and sought
the side of my patient, and to my dis
may found her much weaker than |
expected | raised her into a sitting
posture, aud holding her almost in my
arms. said:
I'VE are going to send you home to
your mother, where you will have
bright sunshine to cheer you and the
sweet songs of birds to awaken you il
the morning"
Her head leaned to one side until her
eyes were fixed on mine, and a peaceful
smile of happiness filled her face witt
supernatural glow.
Isis John going, too?" she
gasped.
Yes" replied, ''he is going home
with YOU"
Lay me down, then, and-and let