Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1891-04-08

ooh, beg your pardon, DR.. Clari-
mont" said she, "but [ clean forgot the
new old woman %
"The new old woman" repeated DR..
Mary, with smile.
''That 49," exclaimed Mrs. Cunning
ham, "she only came last night-a quiet
old soul, half blind, and quite bad with
the asthma. Perhaps you'd better just
see her before you go. 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"
So DR.. Mary went cheerfully into the
little brick-paved room, with its white
pallet bed, cushioned rocking chair and
neatly draped easement, where sat q
poor, little, shriveled-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,
"and Pm 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."
s'This is the DOCTOR" said Mrs. Cum
ningham.
The little woman would have risen up
to make feeble courtesy, but DR.. Mary
motioned her to keep her seat.
what is your name % said she pleas
antly.
Louise NARROW, miss"
"Marlow? That is an unusual name,
isn't it ?" said Mary Clarimont, coloring
in spite of herself
"We're 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 CT"
ga sonr' echoed Mrs. Cunningham !;
"and you in the almshouse ?"
mot that it's 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
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 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 anything 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
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 L
am"
Mary Clarimont listened quietly to
the garrulous tale, but the color varied
in her cheek more than once as she
stood there.
els your sons name Harry Mar
low?" she said. slowly and thoughtfully.
es, 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
SIS be like this ?" said Dr. Mary, tax
ing a photograph from her pocket.
The old woman, with trembling hands,
fitted on her iron-bowed spectacles and
looked at the picture, uttering little
cry of recognition.
''Sure, miss, it is his own SELF" she
cried ''You are acquainted with him,
them"
Somewhat" said DR.. Mary, COM
posedlv, as she returned the photograph
to its place. ''And now [ will leave 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 DIR. Mary, writing some
thing in her prescription book. Il have
seen her."
perhaps, Miss" faltered the old
woman, you would give her my hum
BILE duty, and tell her | would just like
to look at her for once and see what she
IL D. e. ~, III.
her, Miss, for L 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
I'm no scholar myself, and I'm his
mother, after ALL
81 will write to him." said DR.. Mary.
quietly; and so she went away.
81 never see a lady doctor afore," said
old Mrs. NARROW, with long sigh. "But
she's 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. 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
wrapped in furs, with her cheeks Grim
soned with the frosty winter air.
''Bless me! this amt never you ~
said Aunt 10, peering over the rim of
her spectacles.
81 drove over to see you, Aunt 10"
said Mary, ito tell you that you were
right The metal was counterfeit"
"Eh ?'' said Aunt 10, mechanically
ladling out the brown, curly crullers, al
though she did not look at what she was
doing.
81 have written to Harry NARROW,
canceling oar engagement said DR..
Mary, calmly, albeit ner voice faltered
little. 1.-The man who will heartlessly
let his old mother 90 to the almshouse
sooner than to take the trouble to main
tain her, can be NO fit husband for any
womanW
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 overlooking.
When she had ceased speaking, Aunt
10 nodded her head.
HYou have done we'll and wisely -