Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-07-23


pallet bed, cushioned rocking chair and
neatly draped easement, where sat poor,
little shriveled up woman, wrapped In a
faded shawl.
She looked timidl y up as DR.. Mary came
IN from under the borders Of her cap.
I'm a poor boy, miss, - said she, land
I'm sensible IN making a deal of trouble
in the world. But the Lord don't always
take US, miss, when we'd like to 60.
This is the DOCTOR" said Mrs. Cum
bingham.
The little woman would have risen to
make feeble courtesy, but Mary motion
ed her to keep her seat.
"What is your name?" she said pleas
antly.
Louise NARROW, miss
Marlow That is an unusual name,
isn't it?" said Mary Clarimont, coloring
III spite of herself
We're English, miss" said the old
woman struggling braveIy with her asth-
ma. There ain t any of US in this coun-
try. I've son, miss, in the law business,
as any mother may be proud of. "
"a SOM" echoed Mrs. Cunningham,
land you in the almshouse?"
mot that it's lis fault, ma am, - the
old creature made haste to explain my
son is to be married to a fine, proud
young lady as is fit for any prince in all
the land, and, of course, he can't be ex-
pected to burden himself with bel pless
old woman like me. He says m to write
and let him know how get along and if
IN sick or anything he II try and see me.
| sewed carpets until the asthma got hold
OF me- and supported myself comfortably.
But of course, | couldn't lay up anything
for a rainy day-who could? And Henry
couldn' help me, for he's getting ready
to be married, poor lad! So | went to DR..
Merton and asked him did he know any
decent place where an old woman like me
could spend 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 | am"
Mary Clarimont listened quietly to the
garrulous tale, but the color varied In her
| cheek more than once while she stood
there.
SIS your sons name Harry Marlow?"
she said, slowly and thoughtfully.
Yes, miss, at your service, said the
old woman, with a duck of her white
capped head, which was meant to do duty
in place of the impossible courtesy.
lis he like this?" said DIR. Mary taking
a photograph from her pocket.
The old woman with trembling hands
fitted on her iron-bowed spectacle and
looked at the picture uttering little cry
of recognition.
Sure, miss, it's his own SELF" she
cried. You are acq uainted with him
then?"
Somewhat, " said Dr. Mary, composed
ly, as she returned the photograph to its
place. "And now | vii leave you some
thing to relieve this difficulty in breath
ing"
But the old crone eyed her watchfally.
Perhaps you know the young lady my
son is to marry?'
Yes, said DIR. Mary, writing some
thing In her prescription book, Il have
seen her"
Perhaps, MISS" faltered the old wo-
and tell her | would just like to look at
There's no fear of my troubling her. miss
for mean to end my days here. But |
would like to see her just once. And if it
wouldn' t be asking too much, miss, would
you please write to my son and tell him
where | am for m no scholar myself,
and I'm his mother after all"
Il will write to- him." said DR.. Mary
quietly; and so she went away.
Il never see lady doctor afore,' said
old Mrs. NARROW, with a long sigh. But
she's pretty creature, 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. CDR. Clarimont
amt one to neglect poor people because
| they are poor"
That evening Aunt 10, frying crullers
over the kitchen fire. was surprised by a
visit from her niece, who came In all wrap
| ped in fdrs, with her cheeks crimsoned
with the frosty winter air.
BLESS me! this ain t never you'll said
Aunt 10, peering ever the rims of her
spectacles.
Il drove over to see you, Aunt Jo,"
said Mary, ''to tell you that you were
right The metal was counterfeit -
"Eh?" said Aunt joe mechanically
| ladling out the brown, curly crullers al
| though she did not look at what she was
doing.
81 have.written to Harry MARROW, can
ceiling our engagement, said Dr. Mary,
calmly, albeit her voice faltered a little
1.-The MIN who will heartlessly let his old
mother go to the almshouse, 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 mother
to her, and the girls heart was full to over
flowing.
When she had ceased speaking Aunt 10
nodded her head
You have done we'll and wisely" said
she.
Old Mrs NARROW died that winter in
Aldenbury almshouse, with her head on
DR.. Mary Clarimont's arm, and never
knew that her garrulous confession had
deprived 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-, said Aunt
10. mo woman ever yet succeeded in
doing two things at once. Indianapolis
News.
Growing Fodder Corn.
A great improvement in the methods
of growing corn fodder has been made
within the last thirty years. Once twas al
ways called ''sowed corn, r" and those words