Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-06-08
THE LITTLE Vl0LINIST.
How He Secured Assistance fol
His Dying Mother.


working in their small garden during
the summer. The warm weather was q
pleasant season, but in the winter when
work was scarce they were often hun
cry.
But Berthold was not unhappy; he
lived In an ideal world, heaven Of
harmony. For him all nature was an
orchestra; he heard music in the whis-
perings of the great pines in the for
est behind his cottage home, In the
evening zephyrs, in the tinkling
streams, in the Ginning of the church
bells in the village near by. At night
n mighty chorus of unseen Ministries
lulled him to sleep.
Mrs. Aurlich's health began TO fail
and she was finally obliged 10 give up
the little work she already had. One day
when Berthold was absent In the for
est gathering wood he was detained
until quite late. lie hurried home, and
as he approached the cottage he saw
that there was no light shining from
the window.
With an anxious heart he hurried into
the house and called his mother, but re-
ceived no reply. lie CROPPED his way
across the room through the darkness
and stumbled over her, where she lay
unconscious on the cold floor.
Very much alarmed, the lad knelt
down and chafed her hands and
sprinlkled some water on her face. After
awhile Mrs. Aurlich opened her eyes
and, assisted by Berthold, managed to
reach the bed, and for several days the
lad was her only nurse.
The poor woman did not seem to inn
prove. She needed some nourishing
food and medicine, but these cannot be
obtained without money. Bcrthold
begged her to allow him 20 go into the
village and borrow some money from a
relative residing there, but this She
would not consent TO; she was very
proud, and the relations between her
self and her relatives had not been very
cordial since she had become poor
1t was very cold day; the sky was
dark and threatening, and Berthold
heaped the little fireplace with wood,
but the heat all went up the chimney
and the house was very cold.
lie had only crust OF black bread
for his breakfast; the last of the loaf
was nearly gone and he had put the
last gram OF chicory coifee INTO the pot
TO make a cup for his mother. There
was no milk or sugar for II and when
the mixture was hot he went over TO
the bed.
Dear mothcrg' he whispered softly
one lay very stili' her eyes closeu' her
a l. n 4 4 L
hands crossed over her breast. She
looked like the picture OF dead saint
no mad seen IN the art gallery OF the
city which he had once visited with his
father. The sick woman opened her
eyes, ana, smiling, began TO caress his
hand.
win you have some coffee, motherP'
To please him she assented, but when
he brought II TO her she could not drink
III her stomach was too weak TO retain
It,
Let II rest on the table she whis'
peredi 1T Is too hot Will drink 1t by
and by"
The tears came to the boys eyes, FOL
he knew that the mixture was toe
strong for her and that she needed some
light and nourishing food. lie tucked
inc clothes about her ana smoothed inc
pillow MS hother thanked MN WIN
smile ana Kissed MN tenderly:
gu re good ooy' sne Whispered
Inc lad went TO repienish the hre'
ana wheh tins was done ne saw that ms
mother was asleep ihere was deep
flush on her face and her fingers were
working nervously.
berthold SAT on low STOOL before inc
nre IN deeP thougnt Tor some tihei SUD
uehly ne arose ana went over 10 niue