The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1891-05-15

Friends of the Sick.
copyright, iea1. BIZ American Press Associa-
toni
NV call on the lovely shut In" was
about ended, and as I took the little
white hand IN mine to say goodby |
noticed a look of anxiety Or %apprehen-
sion upon her face that had certainly
not been there during my short inter-
view. But the pleasant smile came
again as l left the ROOM, and after a lit
tie speculation as to the cause l endeav-
ored to dismiss the subject. 1t was
doubtless some physical suffering Oh sad
thought, brarely held in check during
my visit, I told myself, but all the same
l was annoyed and disappointed. l had
staid too long, or had lacked the tact
and inspiration to amuse her. Than this
nothing could be more humiliating or
much more distressing.
had seen so many sick folks liter
ally killed with kindness. and had en-
dured such torture myself through the
indescribable cruelties of the tenderest
love, that to have erred in such a matter
seemed quite objectionable. The next
morning my fears were somewhat
quoted by a note from the invalid ask
ing me to call upon her that day if pos
sible, as she had a matter to talk over
with me which she thought would not
only be of interest to my readers but of
great value to the sick. a radiant smile
greeted me as l entered her pretty room,
and there was certainly a CLINT of mis-
chief in it as she commenced to speak.
ITO begin WITH" she said, Il have a
confession to make. Yesterday when
You rose to go l was so afraid that you
wouldn't go that I was almost ready to
shrek. Please don't misunderstood me-"
she pleaded. Everybody is SO good to
me. Ny friends are so sweet, so con-
siderate, so unselfsh, but when they get
up to go they don't go. They stand and
talk, and perhaps sit down on the side of
the bed, and then go fussins about the
bureau, or squeak the door or play with
the knob until I am worn threadbare. |
was so afraid yesterday that you We're
going to be like the rest, and if you were
my last hope was gone, for of course |
could not ask you to publicly protest
against a habit which you We're guilty of
yourself. And do you know she added
with a laugh, II was so afraid you would
come back after You had gone that my
teeth chartered till l heard the front
door close. You see, so many of them do
come back"
You speak as if this were the hardest
thing that invalids had to bear" / re-
marked.
II really think it is" she replied. Sat
least it is the very hardest for me; and
if you will allow Inc to read you q few
passages from the letters of my Shut In
friends, you will see that it is with
them"
"Oh, if the lovely creatures would
only go when they say they are going"
one correspondent wrote.
Il dread to have a friend come ill.,"
said another, ''because I know that ten
to one all the pleasure Of the visit will
be spoiled by the leave taking. What is
the matter with folks that they can't get
up and go:'
/ smiled to think how many times l
had asked myself that question, and
wondered why l should have considered
it a personal ~idiosyncrasy instead of a
general of suffering to the sick.
Oh, the dear souls that slam down on
the side Of the bed after they have
Strengthened their hats and put on their
gloves and said goodby forty times
over, and the generous, helpful spirits
who bring II something nice to eat, and
then stand, door knob in hand, ''just
going for half an hour, to see if the
favoring is right. Who that has been
i'll for any length Of time has failed of
such sympathy? And what invalid with
a heart has not mercilessly c~astigated
herself for being disturbed by such
things, knowing as they all do that
these friends are animated by a sincere
desire to be of service?
81 think the next hardest thing for a
chronic invalid to bear" said my friend,
sis the advocacy of new remedies. Some
of my callers spend most Of their time
telling me of the wonderful cures effected
by this and that medicine. | I'M con.
Quoted through all sorts of terrible phys
ical and mental fortunes until the new
medicine commences its miraculous
work; then the story brightens until the
CiiLidA Vi u ptIlttI cure Is reached.
Now, the senders Of these bottles and
boxes are all kind"-pointing to an as
sortment on her table which had evil
IDENTIFY just arrived-"but | am at a loss
to see how wen ones nearest and dearest
friends dare to recommend such things.
l think | have had pounds of quinine
sent me because my illness is supposed
to have a malarial foundation. can't
send the stuff back, and of course | dare
not give it away. l have a physician
who, | have faith to believe, thoroughly
understands my case, and when | need
quinine he gives me a soft capsule of
quinine sulphate, and that is the end Of
it. Why, an invalid must rely on her
physician, and it seems to me that the
person who enters a sick room and runs
down the doctor or his treatment ought
to be put out. do sometimes wish /
could talk to the sick on this subject Of
physicians"