Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-09-01

faltered piteously.
no, I hope not
',Joes sick" she repeated in a whis-
per, shaking her head.
'WhC'S Gomez" asked a voice from
the bed in a corner of the room. Mel
lie, girl. who are We talkin' with?
1T is IN. Ford, whom you sent for, .
said the physician approaching the bed.
One candle lighted diInly the untidy.
comfordeSS place, showing a stove and
man with tlmbled hidr md rough
beard lying among the pillows of his
bed
"Oh,the DOCTOR" said he, with fever
ish eyes staring from under shaggy
brows.
How long have you been ill.," asked
DR.. Ford. sitting down on a rickety
chair.
Its a week since 1 gave up. but I've
been feeling bad for a long time"
The doctor placed his little thermolu-
eter under the patients tongue and
waited silently.
Hoes sick" moaned the girl, peering
out of the shadows.
The sufferer seemed TO be irritated by
the repetition of these words and made
an impatient gesture, but as he did so
glanced pitifully at the slouching
figure.
What you most need is good nuls-
ing" said the doctor after examining
the patient.
The mans face darkened. The
woman lowered aimlessly over the
stove.
she's my wife," said the sick man.
hoarsely. Il know she amt quite like
other folks. But she's peaceable and
good, not bold and noisy like other
women l pitied her first off; then 1
got kind o. fond of her. And she"-
The girl had crept to the bedside and
stood there with her vacant, troubled
face, funbling with the pillows.
joe she said, much as a mother
might speak her baby's name.
''She can't do nothing more for me
nor for herself" whispered the man, as
he clasped one of the f1uttering hands
in his.
Poor thingr muTmured the doctor
L can earn good wages when I'm
well, went on the invalid, land l did
the cooking and kept the house tidy
then. Now everythiDg's going wrong.
She spOils all the yictualS, but she
don't mean to-
AT this moment something on the
stove boiled over with loud hiss and
filled tho room with the odor of scorch-
ing milk The girl started then moved
toward the ruined mess.
ooh, dear me!' said the sick man,
under bis breath. Don't bum your
self, Nellie" he called, as if to a child
It's srorched, joe" she said, the
Never mind, my girl, throw it away.
We can get plenty more. You see,
Doctor he said in a hoarse voice, Il
can't speak rough to her. She's my
wife"
The doctor sat with bent head,
specchleSs.
III send you Il nurse, my man." he
said, after pause. w hat you need is
good care. I will come again tomor-
row. And with a low bow to man and
wife, now clingiug together, hand in
hand, the doctor said goodnight, and
went on his way.
'1hanll you, SIR called out the sick
man, much moved.
The girl only stared and wiped the
last tear from her lashes.
Two hours later capable kind-heart-
ed woman was installed as nurse in the
little home by the river. She brought
with her food in abundance, and COM
forts of all kinds,
DR.. Ford drove slowly honleward.
Though it was late Il bright light shOnn
from the parlOr window as he stopped.
The glow Of q wood fire Illuminated the
room as he entered but no on came to
meet him. His wife sat in her rocker
fast asleep. The lamp threw a radiance
over her bronze brown hair and one
delicate cheek as she slept with her
head against the crimson back of the
chair Her face wore a sweet, childlille
expression, with a touch of pathOs
about the lips, and her hands lay
closely clasped in the lap Of her gown
of soft dove color
Near the fire stood white-draped
table holding a tempting little repast,
carefully arranged. From a slender
glass in the midst hung one red rose.
The doctor knew she had cut it for him
from her fayorite plant On pretty
plate repOsed the fiakiest and most de
lectablp of mince pies
DR.. Ford stopped and Kissed his wife's
fair cheek reverenuy. She stirred, then
opened her large eyes slowly.
ooh, voc have cone. [ an sorry 7
was NOT awake to meet you. But here s
q minca pie. 1 sent over to your mother
for one;
Hang the pier' cried John Ford.
''ElinOr, | am a bruter'
ooh, no, dear-only a man, instead of
an archangel, rs once believed yOu 10
| be. But never mind. How do you like
my dress?"
TT is divine and you arc an angel
Elinor But, dearest, come and sit by
me. I have Just beer to see a gentle
man. want to tell you all about it
FARM NOTES.