The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1893-11-04

case away, and sat down disheartened.
I could not eat supper. went to bed
and tried to get to sleep. But the
picture of the gloomy attic, of the dead
child, of the submissive and patient
woman, kept me less from sleep than
the tormenting self-reproach with
which had thought over everything
that had done. My first patient! l
simply groaned, and then the words of
the poor woman came to me again:
Don't weep, doctor; you will stand be-
fore many sick bed as You have stood
here, where the Lord will not help"
| i had been summoned too late; had
not been able to save the child. "You
will stand before many sick bed as
you have stood here" hid my face in
the pillow. 1t was terrible night: the
torturing thoughts which made me SO
restless were very different from the
pleasant dreams which had encouraged
me in both my waking and sleeping
hours.
Early on the following day an old
college friend came who had sought
me on his way through the city. Ho
dragged me over the crowded streets,
into the museums, into all sorts of
restaurants. He complained of my
taciturnity. feigned q headache and
escaped the necessity of having to see
a sensational play at the Court theater.
Tired and worn out, l went at last
alone to my own room. On my way
there passed a window OF brightly
lighted flower shop. 1 walked in and
bought a costly white camellia and
some sweet-smelling violets, 1 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 a 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 looked at the open book. The
page was turned at an old song which
had learned at school. and had soon
forgotten.
l laid the book away signing. The
words which had read, the awful still
ness, the peacefully resting child, OBJ
pressed my heart; went home, after
asking in the house for the hour of in
terment
i went to bed early. was 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 a submissive trust
in His protection, whenever my 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 thankful look
when she saw that I had Joined the lit
tie procession. The way was not long.
This 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 Beside the open grave
stood clergyman.
II have made it my duty as long ms
my strength lasts to give last blessing
to all the dead of my parish" said he.
softly, rs 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 cof-
fin gave comfort to the poor woman, |
and to myself as well!
I'm Gods hana everlasting rest is
II know 1t, I know it," sobbed the
and she bent her pale face over
the hand of the young priest
On the evening of the same day
went to my relatives. All the older
members of the family were absent.
Only Cousin Marie was at home to re-
ceive me. We sat at the window and
let the moonlight shine upon us, and
then | 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. "Now you
know well in what respect you failed
n your profession. Thank God that
you have gained this knowledge through
your first patient Now think that
Tou will become an able physician, who
will always do good, even when his
,wn skill shall not avail"
kissed my cousin.
And now, what do yol. mean?" IL
aid. Have you the courage to be-
'ome the wife of such doctor?'