The Olneyville tribune. (Providence, R.I.) 1893-189?, 1894-03-31

| IHdtIOn pOssIDIe, dUu III n udy OF 30
Farmingvale knew that their pastor
would soon leave the place forever.
The winter set in warm and moist,
instead OF cold and bracing. Every
body declared that ii was dreadful
unhealthful weather" At length
rumors OF prevailing i'll health spread
over Farmingvale, and the minister
packing his books in his study, came
to hear OF them. Whole families Of
children sickened and lay low, and a
dread cry arose-"It is malignant
diphtheria.
One day Arthur Bartlett left his
home TO perform the burial service
over the graves Of two children Of
one family; and the next the father
called him to the bedside OF his wife
TO see her die. And with these deaths
the horrors OF that time never TO be
forgotten by any who dwelt there,
began in earnest.
Men, women, and children sickened
with the terrible disease. Horror
seized those yet unsmitten, and they
fed. Farmingvale became q great
lazaretto, and Arthur Bartlett said to
his young wife:
Let us go quickly, darling, before
the scourge falls upon our house
hold"
But she, as she spoke, left her seat,
and knelt before him, resting her
head upon his breast, as he sat be-
fore their evening fire, in n child-like
fashion all her own; and az he ca
ressed her tenderly, whispered
Arthur, do not bid me go, for /
must stay here, and do all | can
watch with them, pray with them,
nurse them, strive to comfort the be-
reaved. ] should indeed be ali they
think OF me if !, their pastors wife,
fled at such time. Oh, cannot
CO."
The man listened ut first uncon-
vinced. "Ann, my dea-," he said
gently, I'VE owe them nothing. Re-
member, they have used us shame
fully, and ! am actually their pastor
no longer"
But his wife pleaded earnestly;
pleaded TO stay amidst the danger,
and touching his heart by her sweet
Christian spirit brought him at last
to consent.
And at dawn the two went forth
upon their mission. In their selfish
horror kinsfolk fed from each other.
Sisters shrunk from those who had
been nursed at the same breast;
children deserted their parents, and
friends grew brutal to each other,
but those two young creatures never
swerved from their appoiated task;
like minstering angels they went
from house to house, aiding the
weary physician, supporting the
mothers failing courage, heaping
Goals OF fire on the heads OF the
Farmingvale people. Sometimes they
were together, but more frequently
apart; there was so much TO do
When they could they met in the old
parsonage, but often they were sep
arated for several days. But their
prayers followed each other always.
II was IL trying time, but they were
very faithful and courageous. Some
Of these who had been most cruel to
Ann Bartlett were her patients now,
and lay helpless as infants while she
watched over them.
When, save for her, no friend had
watched beside the couch of loathe-
some disease; when her own hands
robed the dead infant for its last
sleep; when she sat all night in the
death-room, and it was known 10 all
what mission she had taken upon
herself wonder filled the village, and
i'm little while there arose to heaven
many fervent prayers for Ann Bart
lett and her husband.
All through the winter the pesti-
lence ragged, then when so many
homes were left desolate, il began to
abate, and ON May day the church
bell was rung to tell the people that
the dread disease was stayed.
But before night sad news was car
ried around the village. She who had
watched with the sick, who had
closed the eyes OF the dead, who had
been SO gentle and patient, was
smitten, now that she was no longer
needed.
The windows of the parsonage were
darkened, and silence as OF death
reigned throughout its rooms, for the
angel of the house lay trembling
ON the margin OF the grave. Another
pastor preached on this Sabbath in
Farmingvale, and all knew well why
he was there. Arthur Bartlett watch
ed beside his darling's bed, and never
left it day or night,
Then the hearts OF those TO whom
she had ministered went up in prayer
that she might be spared to them and
to him; and their prayers were an
swered-Ann Bartlett lived.
Arthur Bartlett is still the pastor
in Farmingyale for the penitent people
will not part with him. Through his
wife, his cherished wish has come 10
pass; and in his parish there is only
one more loved and revered than the
minister--now white-haired and ven-
pra hlp-api that ono - tho m istar's