The Wahpeton times., 1891-06-11
It was a brilliant december day

"That is," exclaimed Mrs. Cunning
ham, "she only came last night-a
quiet old soul, half blind, and quite
bad with the easthma. Perhaps you'd
better just see her beforeyou 60. She
brought a card of admission from DR..
Merton, the New York clergyman, who
is one of our directors, you know
And she seems a decent body enough. I"
So DIR. Mary went cheerfully into the
little brick-paved room, with it's white
pallet-bed, cushioned rocking chair,
and neatly-draped easement, where
sat apoor, little, shrivelled- up woman,
wrapped in faded shawl.
She looked timidly up, as DR.. Mary
came in, from under the borders OF her
cap.
"1'm poor lady, MISS" said she,
"and Pm sensible Pm making deal
of trouble in the world. But the Lord
don't always take us, miss, when we'd
like to CO."
"This is the Dr." said Mrs. Cunning
ham.
The little woman would have risen
up to make a feeble courtesy, but DR..
Mary motioned her to keep her seat.
"What is your name?" said she,
pleasantly.
Louise Marlow, miss"
"Marlow? That is an unusual
name, isn't it?" said Mary Clarimont,
colourlng in spite of herself
Were English, MISS" said the old
woman, struggling bravely with the
asthma. "There amt many of us in
this country. I've a son, miss, in the
law business, as any mother might be
proud Of"
"a som" echoed Mrs. Cunningham;
"and you in the almshouse2"
"Not that it's his fault, ma'am, {"
the old creature made haste to explain.
"My son is to be married to u fine,
proud young lady, as is fit for any
prince in all the land, and, OF course,
he can't be expected to burden himself
with a helpless old woman like me.
He says Pm to write and let him know
how get along, and if Pm sick or any
thing he'll try to see me. 1 sewed car
pets until the asthma got Il hold OF
me, and supported myself comforta-
bly,. But, OF course, couldn lay up
anything for Il rainy day-who could?
And Henry coulden'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 q
card to come here and some money to
pay my travelling eXpenses-God
bless him!-and here 1 am
Mary Clarimont listened quietly to
the garrulous tale, but the colour
varied in her cheeks more than once as
she stood there.
''Is your sons name Harry Mar
low" she said slowly and thought
fully
"Yes, miss at your SERVICE" said
the old woman, with n duck OF her
white-capped head which was meant
to do duty in place OF the impossible
courtesy.
'Is he like this?" said DR.. Mary,
taking Il photograph from her pock-
ct.
The old woman, with trembling
hands, fitted on her iron-bowed spec
tacles, and looking at the picture, ut
tered little cry OF recognition.
"Sure, miss, it is his own self," she
cried. "You are acquainted with him,
them"
Somewhat" said DR.. Mary, COM
posedly, as she returned the photo
graph to it's place.
And now l will give you something
to relieve this difficulty in breathing" "
But the old crone eyed her wistfully.
Perhaps you know the young lady
my son is to marry?"
"Yes,' said DR.. Mary writing some
thing in her prescription book. Ihave
seen her.
"Perhaps, miss, "faltered the woman,
"you would give her my humble 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 would like to see her lust
once. And if it wouldn'ta be asking
90 much, miss, would you please
write to my son, and tell him where l
am? for Pm no scholar myself, and
Pm his mother, after all"
II will write to him." said Mary
quietly, and SO she went away.
~ never see lady doctor afore," F"
said old Mrs. Marlow, with long
sigh. "But she's apretty creetur, and
it seems good to have her around.
hope she'll come again soon."
"You may be sure ofthat," said the
matron, brusquely. CDR. Clarimont
amt one to neglect poor people be-
cause they are poor"
That evening Aunt 10, frying
crullers over the kitchen fire, was
surprised by visit from her niece,
who came in all wrapped in furs,
with her cheeks crimsoned with the
frosty winter air.
"Bless me! this amt never you!''
said Aunt Jo, peering over the rims
OF her spectacles.
II drove over to see you, Aunt 10, .
said Mary, "to tell you that you
were right. The metal was counter
felt"
"Eh?" said Aunt 10, mechanically
ladling out the brown curly crullers
although she did not look at what she
was doing.
81 have written to Harry Marlow
cancelling our engagement" said DR.
Mary, calmly, albeit her voice falteret
a little. "The man who will heartless
ly let his old mother go to the aims
house. sooner than take the trouble
to maintain her, can be no fit hus
band for any woman!"
And then she sat down by the fir