Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1891-10-01

what is your name?" said She. pleas
antly.
Louise NARROW, miss. "
MARROW? That is an unusual name,
isn't it?" said Mary Clarimont, coloring
IN spite OF herself.
Were English, miss" said the old
woman. struggling bravely with her
asthma There amt many of rs in
this country. I've a son, miss. in the
law business, as any mother might 6e
proud Of"
"A SOM echoed Mrs. Cunningham;
'and YOU in the almshouse'"
Not that It's his fault, ma am" the
old creature made haste to explain.
'My son is u be married to a fine,
proud young lady, as is TT for any
prince in alLthe land, and Of course he
can't be expected 10 burden himself
with a helpless old woman like me.
''IIe says I'm to write and let him
know how get along, and if I'm sick
or anything hell try To see me. sewed
carpets until the asthma got hold of
me, and supported myself comfortably.
But, of course, l couldn't lay up any
thing for a rainy day-who could?
And Henry couldn't help me, for
he's getting ready to be married poor
lad So ! went to DIR. Merton and
asked him did he know any decent
place where an old woman like me
could end her days in peace. And he
gave me card to come here and some
money to pay my travelling expenses
God bless him.-and here l am"
Mary Clarimont listened quietly to
the garrulous tale, but the color varied
in her cheek more than once as she
stood there.
rs Your sons name Harry Marlow?"
she said, slowly and thoughtfully.
YES, miss, at your service" said the
old woman, with duck of her white
capped head which was meant TO do
duty in place of the impossible cour-
tesy.
rs he like this?" said Dr. Mary, TAX
ing photograph from her pocket.
The old woman, with trembling
hands, fitted on her iron bowed specta-
cles and looked at the picture, uttering
little cry Of recognition.
Sure, miss, it is his own self" she
cried.
You are acquainted with him,
then?'
Somewhat" said Dr.. Mary, COM
posedly, as she returned the photo
graph to its place. ''And now ! will
leave you something to relieve you of
this difficulty in breathing"
But the old crone eyed her wistfully.
Perhaps you know the young lady
my son is to marry?"
Yes" said DIR. Mary, writing some
thing in her prescription book. 81 have
seen her"
Perhaps, miss" faltcred the old
woman, you would give her my hum
bic duty, and tell her would just like
to look at her for once and see what she
is like. There's no fear of my troubling
her, miss, for mean to end my days
here. But l would like 10 see her just
once. And if 1t wouldn't be asking too
much, miss, would you please write to
my son and tell him where | am, for
I'm no scholar myself, and I'm his
mother, after all.
4 will write to him. said DIR. Mary,
quietly; and SO She went away.
Il never see a lady doctor afore,"
said old Mrs. NARROW, with a long sigh
But she's "a pretty creetur, and it
seems good to have her around. hope
she'll come again soon"
you may be very sure of that" said
the matron, brusquely. "Dr. Clarimont
amt one toneglect poor people because
they are poor"
That evening Aunt 10, frying crul-
lers over the kitchen fire, was sur
prised by visit from her niece, who
came in all wrapped in furs, with her
cheeks crimsoned with the frosty win
ter air.
"Bless me! this amt never your
said Aunt 10, peerlng over her specta-
cles.
Il drove over to see you, Aunt Jo,"
said Mary, Ito tell you that you were
right. The metal was counterfeit"
''Eh?" said Aunt 10, mechanically
ladling out the brown, curly crullers,
although she did not look at what she
was doing
Il have written to Harry MARROW,
canceling our engagement, said Dr.
Mary, calmly, albeit her voice faltered
d llAl4C. L ne Llftu WHO Will IlcdEllGSS-
ly let his old mother go to the aims
house sooner than to take the trouble
to maintain her, can be no fit husband
for any woman"
And then she sat down by the fire
and told Aunt 10 everything, for
grabbed, crusty old Aunt 10 had been
like a mother to her. and the girls
heart was full to Overlooking.
When she had ceased speaking, Aunt
10 nodded her head.
You have done well and wisely
said she.
Old Mrs. NARROW died that winter in
Aldenbury almshouse, with her head
on DR.. Mary Clarimont's arm, and new
err knew that her garrulous confessions
had de prived her son of his promised
wife
And Mary says quietly and resolutely
that her profession must be husband
and home to her henceforward.
Just what it ought to be. " says Aunt
i