The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1892-10-29
horse stumbled and splashed along
the clouds became higher and lighter,

looked at the palr-tne maiu WIN her
hands laid lightly on her escorts
shoulders to prevent her falling,
nudged a star-winked her wise eye
and made prophecy, while the stars
blinl:ed and made note OF it.
The patient Vas no worse, for
tunately, and was soon resting easily
thanks to the doctors skill. He
fingered longer than he usually did
when paying Il professional call, but,
then-wel he lbuldH't help it. He
looked tenderly ut the shoulders OF
his coat for the print OF finger tips;
and, although there were none, he
felt the pressure OF those hands on
his sleeves for a long long time. He
retired almost Immediately, after
reaching home, but did II great deal
more thinking than sleeping.
The next morning Cn.ls Joe paid
an early visit TO the doctors. lie
asked about their little journey to-
gether, the health OF the patient and
young lady, and finally asked him
how he liked the little girl, and the
doctor frankly declared his ndmira-
ton and deep friendship for her
which so delighted the old man that
he arose, gave him firm pressure OF
the hand and promised to treat to
cigars next TING they met in
town.
"she's no kin of mine, doctor,
though | wish she was. I've been
here so long that everybody calls me
uncle, and She does like the rest. We
known her since she Was n young
baby. Poor child her life amt been
all sunhowers an blossoms. It has
had many brier bush in it, tell
you. Her pa and ma both died be-
fore she was IL. and all they left her
was their house and the scrap of
ground it's settin' on.
1.-The first thing she did was to rent
out her house, except the two back
rooms, which she used herself, to II
family she knew well, then put up n
seamstrcss' sign, and III no time she
was overrun with work. You see,
every one knew her aud felt very sorry
for her; then she sewed so neat an
gave itm sucli Il fit that folks got
split an didn't want er wear nothing
lest she made 'em. And when any-
body was sick she always did her
share OF nursing, an she does yet.
She is young for such work, but she's
better'n many who's older.
you'll run across her, doctor,
again soon; she's always dom some
thin for somebody, an SEWN faster II
ever Mt night to ketch up with her
work An you'll conclude before "'-
months, as old Joe Bennett did . Il
time ago, that il there was more
men like her in this world n
wouldn't have to die to 90 to heay
When my poor wife was on her dea
bed Bessie never left her for mil
No, there she stayed, night and d
doing everything she could till
there wasn't nothin' more to
| don't"
Uncle Joe pulled his hat over
eyes. nodded without speaking,
went out OF the door. DR.. Han
mixed number OF walls OF medic
and made his usual round OF pro
siona visits. He spent an hour
the company of Bessie, and that ev
| ing he droveup to her gate with
same httla Woman sit,inu h.s.'d. la
| 1t bad been day al rather dc
| thought for both OF them, and it e.
ed pleasantly.
The young physician met his yol
friend many times among the sick
poorer class OF people, and alw3
found her doing good in some W
lust rs Uncle IoepredictGd. And ma
n time did he TAKE her home i'll
buggy, and almost MS frequently
| drove up to her gate and took
Tor drive, Just for the pleasure
| gave him to be with her.
On the evenings when Bessie
most fatigued from her hard do
work the doctor was sure to Join
in the little sitting-room, and toget
they'd keep up the fire, chat and
merry. And you may be sure ii
feet and needle -pricked fingers
forgotten. In the summer they
out on the corner piazza, famed
other, killed mosquitoes and
happy.
mated with rays OF hope, Joy
with faith and love,
one beautiful summer day
slipped by almost as speedily.
was winter again and the sittng-rc
and fire were in demand. 1t had
an unhappy week for both OF th
Mr.. Harris had left town sudd
without word to any one. nor
he write during his absence. Cos
OF the little village wagGed
tongues as over n toothsomc bi
scandal. Bessie walked busily
her head high, her eyes bright, her
lips smiling, and no one knew
sobs deep down in the heart vi
her bodice.
When night came she still tried
work, but she did not accom-
much. The sewing had been put
gether wrong, the tension" was
tight, then too loose, the TIN
tangled and broke, the needle snaE
on seam, the machine screeched
worked hard, the band became
fastened and the wheel needed oil
There was something the matter
everything. Her piece OF sewing
to be delivered the next day,
now it would not be finished.
Her head began to ache and so
her heart Everything went wroi
the world and everybody in it, IS
seemed to her as she sat down
the hearth with her face in her han
thinking OF the unpleasant little !
penings OF the week. And in this
tude the doctor found her 81
while later. lie saw the trace OF t,
on her cheeks, and without asl
permission he drew her within
arms, held her there II moment in
lence, then, looking fondly in her +
said softly: