The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-09-14

bought costly white camellia and
some understanding violetS l went up
the five flights to the room of the poor
woman. found the door unlocked
1t was family lighted and little coffin
stood in the middle of the room. In it
lay the child dressed in white gown.
The ribbon on the hat on the wall had
been made into two little bows, the
myrtle wreath lay on the blonde hair,
and the geranium was laid upon her
breast On the table stood lamp and
the open song book lay near by it.
laid the beautiful white flower in
the little motionless hand. and put the
bouquet of flowers on the quiet breast;
then l looked at the open book The
page was turned at en- old song which l
had learned at school, and had soon
forgotten.
laid the book away signing The
words which had read, the awful still
ness, the peacefully resting child. op-
pressed my heart; went home, after
| asking in the house for the hour of in
terment-
went to bed early. Twas very tired,
and all disquiet left me- And, as if
called forth by strange power, the
words OF an ardent prayer flowed over
my lips; the prayer that God might
bless me in my difficult position, and
might change my conceited assurance
in my own skill into 4 submissive trust
in His protection, whenever nay little
knowledge and my earnest wishes
would not avail; that might hope for
Gods comfort at all sick-beds where l
must, as on yesterday. stand helpless.
Early in the morning awaited the
little coffin in the courtyard. A man
bore it; the mother in her poor black
clothing followed. She pressed my
hand and gave me a thankful look
when she saw that had joined the lit
tie procession. The way was not long
Tbs streets were almost empty; the air
was very mild for November As the
IRON gate Of the burial ground opened,
the weeping woman dropped her head
upon her breast. Reside the open grave
stood a clergyman.
Il have made it my duty as long as
my strength lasts to give a last blessing
to all the dead of my parish" said he,
softly, as my astonished look met his.
Dear, kind priest, you did not suspect
how the plain, homely words of bless
ing which you spoke over the little cot
fin gave comfort to the poor woman,
and to myself as well!
in Gods hama everlasting rest is
found
81 know it, I know it." sobbed the
woman, and she bent her pale face over
the hand of the young priest
On the evening of the same day I
went to my relatives. All the older
members of the family were absent.
Only Cousin Marie was at home to re-
eeive me- We sat at the window and
let the moonlight shine upon us, and
then l told her how 1 had visited my
first patient and what l had learned
thereby of value to my calling. Marie
said nothing during my confession,
but suddenly felt myself EN- braced
by her arms She looked at me with
moist eyes.
Look, Maxi" she said. 'sNow YOU
know well in what respect you failed
in your profession. Thank God that
you have gained this knowledge through
your first patient. Now l think that
you will become an able physician, who
will always do good, even when his
own skill shall not avail"
kissed my cousin.
"And now, what do you mean?" I
said. 'Have you the courage to be-
come the wife of such a doctor?'
She smiled in the midst of her tears,
and we were betrothcd at last.
Fortune willod it that on the next
day should again be called to attend
a child, who was very sick with the
Group. l WIS also fortunate to be able
to save it. Much grace has God since
then allowed to be bestowed through |
my hands to the sick and the poverty
My profession became dearer I
and dearer to ne. The mother of the /
child who had been my first patient I
soon moved into my house to attend to |
the management of the household until !
my dearest one became my wife. She /
then stayed with US as cook. until later /
she became nurse to our first-born |
daughter, Marie. She wept over the
child for JOY, and in thankful remem-
brance of the little blonde girl who
had shown me what it is to be physi-
,ian. Bulletin, from the
German of Marc Boyen.