The record-union., 1894-06-02

s'Little Sister Van Brunt.r In her vocation
OF seller OF crullers ana 6o1ee, her diminutive
stature winsome ways and serious, though
unconscious innocence, captiyated all who
knew her. Whence she came and her history
remained equally mystery to the inqusitive.
Legend had it that like many another. she was
attracted 10 the destinations and Opportu11-
ties OF city LIE from some remote rural spot
along tie Hudson, in company with the
nal folk among the tows The roagh but hos
pitable men and women of the locality were
greatly attached 10 the little wait. She was
allowed free use OF their cabin stoves on
Which to cook nef crulers and coffee; and
during the season of canal navigation some
one OF the Sc ores of boats always lying in the
slip awaiting their '.perths' and discharge OF
cargo, was her temporary home. It's said that
during the two years in which the fair crulier-
seller remained at Coentes Slip, her indus
try rewarded her with such handsome piont
that large deposit 10 her credit was among
the accounts OF a leading Gown town saving
institution while her interesting figure, dur
! ing the same period, became familiar one
at the night classes OF Cooper Institute, at the
readlng-rooms aud reference departments of
! the AStor and Mercantile Libraries, at the up
/ town art emporlums, and more remarkable
| still. at the libraries OF several medical col
! leges of the city.
| 1t seems that the cruler-seler's disappear
ance from her former haunts was colncldent
with the admission into one OF our medical
/ schools OF a young woman ambitious OF pro-
feSSiOnal honOrS. She has since led her classes
/ during an arduOus three years course and
the burdensome hindrance of at least partial
sell support. Her triumph at graduation with
highest honors, next week, Will take on the
nature Ola double victory, for, again through
her almost unaided efforts, she has established
claim to the possession. with an orphaned
sister, of several thousand acres OF land lying
among the CaISklllS along the hudson. the lew
| in the secret of the inciaents here barely out
/ lined, are wondering whether the young lady's
honors and riches Will close the period OF ro-
nance in the career OF this tair cruller-seller
| of unromantic Coentes Slip.
On sunny September Sunday follow
ing the publication of the above news
paper paragraph, the few rustic worship
ers at the little church of the ancient vii
lage of Sohonk were nodding beneath the
droning warnings of their gray headed
pastor.
Venerable Peter Van Brunt was in his
accustomed pew, and at his side was the
younger Postmistress of Sohonk. Doctor
Edward Watson, having walked over
from the lake, as was his Sunday custom,
sat under the low open gallery, gazing
Iistlessly through the open window upon
the cedars, willows and larches waving
gently above the white headstoneS III the
little hillside churchyard, and a stranger,
a richly but plainly attired young woman,
had entered unObserved and stolen ST.
lently to retired seat within the sacred
place. She, too. had walked from the
lake, where she had the previous evening
arrived from New York.
Suddenly the pastor stopped in his dis
course and looked SteadfaStly at old Peter
in his pew, where there had just been a
rustling movement OF inquiry and alarm
on the part of the young woman beside
him. The unusual pause and silence
brought all the tiny congregation from.
the land of Nod to upright postures in
their stiff backed pews.
IL fear." the pastor faltered, tina
Uncle Peter has at last resigned his COM
mission 10 the President of all Nations!
Is-there "a physician in = the-con-
gregation?"
Two figures, those of DIR. Watson and
the stranger, came rapidly towards Uncle
Peters pew. The stranger was first To
reach it. 1t was noticed that one of her
hands gave a swift pressure to the old
Postmaster's bewildered companions as
she passed her. She then took the hand
of old Peter, who seemed gently reclin-
ing as in sleep, in his pew-corner in her
own, dropped it, laid her head against
the old mans breast and listened an in
stant-all in that physicians impressive
though quiet way of finality the simple
folk had never before seen in woman,
and then arose, speaking in clear, sub
dued voice, but in tones that all around
her knew and which thrilled one heart as
it was never thrilled before:
"Your pastor is right. Poor Uncle
Peter has been dead some minutes"
Then the eyes of the two physicians
met for the first time in five years, and
the one who had spoken sank down be-
side the lifeless body and sobbed with
her sister as the pastor gestured for mo-
ment of silent prayer.
As the body of the old man was borne
to his sunny chamber in the ancient inn,
the two young physicians fingered in the
shadowy vestibule.
DR.. Victoria Mercer, with her hand in
that of DIR. Edward Watson finally said:
Ned. Ned, you were right in the little
postotfice years ago. Dear old Uncle
Peters was my first case. 1t shall be
nv lastin