Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1892-12-09

nngerS Drcuuln Nluci on Drhckct
hanging next to the littlc window was
a withered myrtle tree red gera-
MUM aud "A hymn book with disgust
ing yellow edges. That was every
thing that the room held.
/ sat down beside the little girl.
She was apparently we'll cared for.
Her limbs were round and pretty. her
| golden hair was soft and curly. She
was unconscious, her blue eyes stared
straight before her as if she were
| looking into tho far unknown dis
tance. The room was cold. | went
to the oven and found only some
splinters OF wood.
| There were so few that did not at
tempt to build fire. i sat down and
waited for the woman and tho medl-
| cine. Ever and anon my glance
would wander around'the miserable
room Here was poor hard work
ing woman. who carried charcoal on
tho street while her child lay in want
md sickness. yet she loved her baby
tenderly.
suddenly the thought shot through
me that | could not save the child !
had been called too late | had not
resolution enough to try any doubtful
energetic effort 10 save her to
snatch her from the jaws OF death.
Ny heart was heavy. sprang TO
the door and listened for tho foo steps
OF the mother. She came finally; my
rcproachful look met her downcast
one. There were SO many people in
tie store. y woman like myself did
not dare 10 press forward. T"
An hour OF torment went b.. The
medicine awaited nothing. Little
Marie could not swallow it An oper-
alton on the throat was OF no use.
The child died. died before my eyes
on the bosom OF the mother bowed
down in her grief
She finally looked up in a terrified
manner; tear had fallen on her
hand. but she had not wcpt.
'You are weeping Doctor" she
said softly. 'AhA don t weep sir
you will stand before many sick bed
as you have stood here. where the
Lord will not help.
She looked fyedly at the little
corpse. Il have loved her very
dearly. l have done for her what |
could in my poverty. Whenever !
came home from my work found her
so pretty SO charming For hours
she would lie in bed or on tho floor
and play with almost nothing and
she laughed FOR JOY when came
homo God has taken her from mo.
He loves her more than | do. but oh
| shall be so lonesomeP"
| pressed the woman hand. but
could not speak. / dropped some
money on the table and silently went
out. At home | laid my instrument
case away and sat down disheartened
! could eat no supper. went to bed
and tried to get to sleep But the
picture OF tho gloomy attic, OF the
dead child of the submissive and
patient woman kept me less from
sleep than the tormenting self.re-
proach with which | thought over
everything that | had done. Ny first
patient | simply groaued. and the
words OF the poor woman came TO mo
again: Don't weep doctor you will
stand before many sick bed as you
have stood hero where the Lord will
not help"
] had been summoned too late; |
had not been able 10 save the child.
You will stand before many sick
| bed a. you have stood here" hid
my face in the pillow. 1t was a ter
rible night; the torturing thoughts
which made me so restless were very
different from the pleasant dreams
which had encouraged me in both my
waking and sleeping hours
Early the following day au old col
lege friend came. who had sought me
on his way through tho city. He
dragged Inc over the crowded streets
into the museums into all sorts
OF restaurants. He complained
OF my taciturnity. fegned a head =
ache and escaped the necessity OF hav-
! ing TO see IA sensational play at the
Court theater. Tired and worn out /
went at last alone 10 my room. On
my way there passed the window OF
brightly lighted flower shop. /
walked in and bought a costly white
camelia and some sweet smelling vic.
lets. | went up the five flights TO the
| IOOll VI bLlO HOOI NOudll. Il lOuuu
the door unlocked. 1t was family
lighted and little coffin stood in the
middle OF the room. 1t il lay the
child dressed in a white gown The
ribbon on the hat on the wall had
been made into little bows the myrtle
wreath lay on the blonde hair and
the geranium was laid upon her
breast On the table stood lamp
and the open song book lay near by
it.
laid the beautiful! white flowers in
the little motionless hand. and put
the bouquet OF violets on the quiet
breast; then / looked at tho open
book. The page was turned at an old
song that had learned at school. and
had soon forgotten.
laid the book away signing. The
words which | had read. the awful
stiffness the peacefully sleeping child.
oppressed my heart; ! went home
after asking in the house for the hour