New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-02
THE LITTLE OLD LADY.
BY l.. T. MEADE.


tragic and otherwise. do not think, however,
that anything ever thrilled me more, 90 not
think my sympathies We're ever more fully
reused and nv sense of justice more stirred
TO its depths, than in the story which am
about to tell
When not engaged in my profession. l occupied
rooms with another nurse in Baker-st On a
certain night, about week before Christmas, l
went TO bed at my usual hour. / was just drop
ping asleep when my bell rang l got up hastily,
dressed myself and went downstairs. l opened
the hall door and found gentleman standing on
the steps.
Does Nurse Lawrence live here?" he asked
81 am Nurse Lawrence" replied.
Good" he answered. Il have got case Tor
you Can you come at once?'
Are you a doctor?" asked
Eyes. Dr. Butler l want a very good nurse
IN a great hurry: it is for child. I will wait
until you are ready; how long will you keep me z,
Ten minutes" | replied. "Will you wait IN
this room?" | threw open the door of little
parlor as spoke
mo" replied DR.. Butter there is cab out
side I will sit in 1t until you come"
ran quickly upstairs. In less than ten min
utes l rejoined the DOCTOR ana we were uri'i"e
Where are we gong?" asked of him: ,
Into Kensington." he answered. MY little
patient is in a clearinghouse IN fardsley
Gardens"
/ did not know Yardsey Gardens: but re-,
Trained to ask any further questions with regard
10 its exact locality. -,
81 will describe the case as drive along"
said the doctor. Your little charge is boy OF
nine years old; he has just recovered from
sharp attack of diphthera. and to-day, am
sorry to tell YOU shows unmistakable symptoms
Of paralysis He is a motherless child, ana ms
father is out good deal. want you to take
complete charge of him. If you require further
help you must get it. but wish you to be re-
sponsble." -,
Yes" answered; Il am fond OF nursing
children" continued after pause.
Il have heard So" replied DR.. Butler, ana
that is the reason l came to you. IL IS most
important that the boy should have some one
with him who understands his temperament he
Is highly strung nervous lad. and rather
fancy some people in the house have been play
ing upon his weakened nerves don IKE lhe
place he is in at all, and shall be giad 10 get
him away as quickly possible. That, however,
is out of the question for the present
The cab turned down a news at this moment.
and the next instant we Drew up at a tall mouse
in Yardsley Gardens. No gardens were mere eX-
cept in name; the houses were tall and narrow.
somewhat old-fashoned in build, and dreary IN
the extreme " ,
As the doctor and assembled the stairs
asked him question.
What is the child's name?" asked
Harold Earncfe, he replied.
"You said he was nine years old!
Eyes"
.Is he the only child?"
'Is his father at home at present.
mo The boy is altogether in the hands i OF OF
servants who, / fear. neglect him shamefuiy. IN
short you are only just In time.
He opened a door the third landing as ne
spoke. and brusquely entered large room. 1
followed Immediately behind him.
1t was past midnight. and the child ought 10
have been asleep. The room ought to have been
darkened perfect and soothing silence shouid
have been the order Of the hour.
Instead Of this came upon scene or neat
and confusion. Two gas jets were f1aring hlgn;
a huge fire was burning in the crate; the httie
,a1 nj
round him with flushed cheeks and bright eyes,
while two women sat over the hre ENJOYING
strong rotations of whiskey punch One OF them
staggered to her feet when she saw us. She was
not tipsy yet, but she would probably soon nave
been so She came up in menac1ng way 10 the
''Well. sir?" she said IN impertinent voice
ooh. we were just settling for the night. and
Master Harold is much better
Go out Of the ROOM" said DR.. Butler, angrlly
"How dare you keep the child awake after the
directions have given you? Go away at once
take that woman with you. ,
"Oh, no." piped small voice from the bed
"don't let Georgina go away. She tells me about
the little old lady. She brings me messages from
her 1 want Georgina Don't send her away
"Hush, Harry" said the doctor. you shall
see Georgina II you still wish 1t In the morning
but not now. This is the middle OF the night my
little man, when birds and flowers and children
ought TO be asleep. See. / have brought you a
nice nurse to look after you. You Will be much
better after she has made you comfortable, ~,
gas hurts my eyes But Georgina promised &c
tell me another story about the old lady when
she had finished her punch. l do want 10 near
It, May hear it,
Tomorrow. my boy. tomorrow"
Go away" continued the doctor turning with
flashing eyes to the women sna ~ t va .pH
another moment in this room. Take that stun
with you and 60
He pointed TO the table Wnlch contained the
whiskey and glasses
Something in his manner cowed the pair they
departed muttering The boys cries followed
them as they left the room. AS soon as ever
they had gone, put out one of the gaslights. ant
turned the other down low. ] then opened the
window farthest from the childs bed The room
positively reeked with the smell OF whiskey anC
Gas DR. Butler stood the mantepiece
The nervous look in the boys large eyes was
very apparent He was shiverng all over an'
looked like child overcome win strange mix
ture Of nervous excitement and mortal fear.
did not like his condition at all, ana was mos
anxious to get him to myself Dr. Butter ad
vanced toward the door, and Dechoheu lie 10 io'
Now" he said. when he had got me on thu
landing, you have to keep those women out o
.r viii willingly do 80 if can" replied; "bu
one of them Is the boys nurse. is she mott
Eyes; but she is to be his nurse no longer
"Is her name Georgna"' ! asked
No. the nurses name Is Lydia-Lyda Per
k,ns / think Georgna is In my opinion ever
a more dangerous woman than LYDIA. She
servant to an old lady who lives on the craving
room floor and she and Lydia are great friends
.The old lady about whom the boy spoke!
Eyes he has been raving about her on ana OF
all through his Illness. Now. need not adu an an
more I will be around the first thing In tn
morning. Keep the door locked against thos
women. nurse I will be responsible for the con
sequences" ,o,. No ,,ord
can EXPRESS the dislike with which had viewe'
the pair. The neglected condition OF the chii'
was quite sufficient to explain the STATE OF nv
nerves II was a wonder that under the circum
stances he had survived such a terrible illness a.
diphthera. DIR. Butler went away and l turne,
the key In the lock and put 1t IN my pocket WIZ
my little charge, and. sitting down by him, De
gan to talk in a pleasant way. He wanted sieel