The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1892-03-10

j,
with as much sense as chicken when
it's heads cut off, while that little
woman was out in all OF it, skipping
round in the elements as if it was
fun, all for somebody who Amt no
kin to her and never will be-"
Uncle Jose reproached himself for
his cowardice, then fell into asound
sleep and forgot all about it. The
storm was nearly over when the
doctor and Bessie rode off, and as the
horse stumbled and splashed along
the clouds became higher and lighter,
broke and revealed the moon, which
turned her full face to one side,
looked at the pair-the maid with her
hands laid lightly on her escort 8
shoulders to prevent her falling,
nudged q star-winked her wise eye
and made a prophecy, while the stars
blinked and made a note OF it.
The patient was no worse, for
tunately, and was soon resting easily
thanks to the doctors skill. He
fingered longer than he usually did
when paying a professional call, but,
then-well he couldn't help it. He
looked tenderly at tho 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 u great deal
more thinking than sleeping,
The next morning Uncle Joe paid
an early visit to the DOCTORS. He
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 admira-
ton and deep friendship for her,
which so delighted the old man that
he arose, gave him a firm pressure of
the hand and promised to treat to
cigars next time they met in
town. ..t.
"She's no kin of mine, doctor,
though I wish she was. I've been
here so long that everybody calls me
aamcle, and she does like the rest. I've
known her since she WAS a young
baby. Poor child her life amt been
all sunf1owers an blossoms. 1t has
had many a brier bush in it, I tell
you. Her pa and ma both died be-
fore she was II. and all they left her
was their house and the scrap of
ground it's settin' on.
""The first thing she did was to rent
out her house, except. the two back
rooms, which she used herself, to q
family she knew well, then put up a
seamstress' sign, and in no time She
was overrun with work. You SEE,
every one knew her and felt very sorry
for her; then she sewed SO neat an
gave 'em such u fit that folks got
split an didn't want er wear nothing
lest she made EZRA. And when any
body Was sick she always did her
share OF nursing am she does vet.
She is young for such work, but she's
better'n many who's older.
YOU'LL a'un across her, doctor,
again soon; she's always dom some
thin for somebody, an SEWN EASTERN
ver.at night to ketch up with her
work; An you'll conclude before six
months, as old Joe Bennett did a long
time ago, that if there was more wo-
men like her in this world men
wouldn't have to die to 90 to heaven.
When my poor wife was on her death
bed Bessie never left her for mint.
No, there she stayed, night and day,
doing everything she could till-till
there wasn't nothin' more to be
DONE"
Uncle Joe pulled his hat over his
eyes, nodded without speaking, and
went out of the door. DR.. Harris
mixed a number of walls of medicine
and made his usual round of profess
sional visits. He spent an hour in
the company of Bessie. and that even
ing he droveup to her gate with the
same little woman sitting beside him.
1t bad been a day of rather deep
thought for both of them, and it end
ed pleasantly. ..3}.s =
The young physician met his young
friend many times among the sick or
poorer class OF people, and ALWAYS
found her doing good in some way,
just as Uncle Joe predicted. And many
q time did he take her home in his
buggy, and almost as frequently he
drove up to her gate and took her
for q drive, just for the pleasure it
gave him to be with her.
On the evenings when Bessie felt
most fatieued from her hard DAYS
work the doctor was sure to Join her
in the little sitting-room, and together
they'd keep up the fire, chat and be
merry. And you may be sure tired
feet and needle -pricked fingers were
forgotten. In the summer they sat
out on the corner piazza, famed each
other, killed mosquitoes and were
happy. -.
TO them the four seasons, illumi-
mated with rays of hope, Joyous
with faith and love, were
one beautiful summer day and
slipped by almost as speedily. 1t
was winter again and the sitting-room
and fire were in demand. 1t had been
an unhappy week for both OF them.
Mr.. Harris had left town suddenly
without a word to any one, nor did
he write during his absence. Gossips
OF the little village wagged their
tongues as over toothsome bit of
scandal. Bessie walked busily with
her head high, her eyes bright, her red
lips smiling, and no one knew the
sobs deep down in the heart under
her bodice.
When night came she still tried to
4vOrk h,1t sho 1;d not -,