Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1892-07-29

/ anu AN-.
one fire burn on Witch's Hill.
Hurrying home when once the
alarm reached him, the doctor listen
ed with grave eyes to the nurses tale,
as with bits of ice and cooling drinks
I he soothed the feverish throat OF lis
darling. who lay tossing in delirium
and CRYING out about the witch. And
the shadows darkened on the doctors
face as the night wore on, for well he
knew the uncomfortable force OF the
people when such tales had passed
through the town; and he feared the
council all the more because his mind
was clear and strong, and he scorned
to believe in witch tales and goblin
stories But he could do nothing
rashly, for it was not safe TO declare
such thoughts as his in those days OF
darkness and superstition, and he
might safely wait until day.
When morning came the child was
sleeping, and leaving Elspeth TO
watch, he started forth on his difficult
errand.
First to the chief OF the council
To him he told the story simply, that
he might hear it unadorned by the
voice OF rumor. Also he related how
the fever seemed to be upon the child
in the early morning, when he had
seen her sitting i'm her little bed with
heavy eyes and tumbled curls. He
received permission, as guardian OF
the child. TO be present at the trial.
and won promise OF delay. Then
to the prison. Here all was desola-
ton. Chained to ring of iron, the
poor woman lay exhausted on the
damp and clammy stones, almost
crazed by this, the last of many grlets.
The doctor sat beside her, soothed
her with that touch OF sympathy so
many had known in their time OF bit
tel trial. and won from her lips
wonderful story; but one that made
the anxious shade grow still deeper
on his thoughtful face.
With little Daisy all went well. The
fever broke. and in the sweet sleep OF
rest that followed the only words the
child-lips uttered We're, "She said
My baby" And the doctor laid his
plans.
When the day OF the trial came,
held close in DR.. Endicott's arms, the
child told the great men Of the coun-
ell how her head had ached and she
could not play for dizziness all that
terrible morning, and how Elspeth
had told her the witch woman would
give her the fever. The doctor told
that in searching far for the cause OF
the fever he had found leak in the
drain Of the great dye factory on the
hill, so that the poison OF the colorlng
stuffs had mingled with the pretty
stream running through the centre OF
their town, and that from drinking
the water the people had died. And
then the woman, with tears and
trembling, told her tale. How she
had been unhappy and poor and de-
serted. How, knowing the doctor to
be good and true, she had one day
left her baby at his door and wander
ed away to find work and make II
home for her child. OF the years OF
trouble, Of sickness and toll and last
" how she had come back to die near
her little one, only to be branded
with the terrible name OF witch by
the lips Of her own child.
And the eyes Of the grave gentle
men were moist and tender when she
had closed her tale, and little Daisy,
with arms close about the poor won
derer's neck, had covered the dear
face with kisses.
Then DIR. Endicott knew he had
gained victory With joyful heart
he led them both 10 his home that
night, and from that day little Daisy
really knew what mothers care
could be. for her joys were ever
shared in dear companionship, and
her little troubles whispered into ears
unfailng in sympathy-mother 5 ears.
And she never forgot how in finding
her. that mother had been nearly
lost