The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1891-08-27

where sat poor. little. shrivcled- up
woman wrapped in faded shawl
She looked timidly up as DR. Mary
came in, from under the borders of her
cap.
I'm a poor body. miss said she.
land I'm sensible I'm 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 DOCTOR" said Mrs. Cum
ningham.
The little woman would have risen
up To make a feeble courtesy. but DR.
Mary motionea her to keep her seat.
What is your nance" said she, pleas
antIy.
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 us in
this country. I've a son, miss. in the
law business, as any mother might be
proud Of
Il son. echoed Mrs. Cunningham:
'.and you in the almshouseo"
Not that its his fault. ma am" the
old creature made haste to explain.
My son is to be married to 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 helpless old woman like me.
lie says I'm to write and let him
know how get along. and if I'm sick
or anything he'll try to see me. sewed
carpets until the asthma got hold Of
me. and supported myself comfortably.
But. Of course, | couldn't lay up any
thing for a rainy dav-who coulds
And Henry couldn't 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 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 am
Mary Clarimont listened quietly to
the garrulous tale. but the color varied
III hci SHSSh uioft thdh oiiSS DIS sHS
stood there.
us 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.
lis he like this?" said DIR. 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
q 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 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. II have
seen her."
perhaps. MISS" faltered the old
woman, ''you would give her my hum
BILE duty, and tell her l would just like
to look at her for once and see what she
is like. There's no fearof my troubling
her, miss, for mean to end my days
here. But l 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
I'm no scholar myself. and I'm his
mother. after all"
Il will write to him." said DIR. Mary,
quietly: and SO she went away.
Il never see q lady doctor afore."
said old Mrs. NARROW, with long sigh.
but she's a pretty creetur, and it
seems good to have her around. hope
she'll come again SOON"
''Iou may be very sure Of that" said
the matron. brusquely. DIR. Clarimont
amt one to neglect 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 you.''
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"
"Eha' 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 NARROW.
canceling our engagement said DIR.
Mary. calmly. albeit her voice faltered
a little. 1.-The man who will heartless.
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 beer
heart was full to overlooking.
When she had ceased speaking, Aunt
10 nodded her head.
"Iou have done well and wisely.
said she.
Old Mrs NARROW died that winter il
Aldenbury almshouse, with her heae
on DIR. Mary Clarinonts arm. and new
err knew that her garrulous confessions
had deprived her son of his promised
wife.
And Mary says quietly and resolutel!
that her profession must be HUSBAND
and home to her henceforward.
"Just what it ought to be- says Aun
10. mo woman ever yet succeeded il