The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1894-02-10
Miriam's inexperience was quite evl
dent was not q sWoon, but a deep and
as abe hoped it would prove saving

Mir1am's inexperience was quite eyt
dent was not q swOon but deep-and
as abe hoped it would prove saving
sleep. ..H;.
B Spreading the hay over him, so that
to q casual glance his presence would
not be detected, Miriam fastened back
to the house. It was not until after her
adopted mother was in bed that she
found an opportunity to steal out again,
and then she found him conscious, but
too weak to speak. With her help, how
ever, he was able to eat little more,
and then making him understand as
well as she could that she would come
again in the morning, and leaving
water where he could get it, and Eanp
securely fastened in a bracket, close by,
she returned to the house.
But the next moring on visiting her
patient, to her grief and dismay she
found him Misunderstanding about some
one or some place he was trying to
fnd-which seemed to dance mockingly
ahead Of him and list elude his grasp
To move him now was impossible; to-
get medical aid under the circum~
stances seemed equally difficult, and
she finally concluded to administer such
simple remedies as were at hand in the
house for that day, and if that did not
avail, to risk everything and procure a
doctor for him. Every moment She
could steal away she sat by his side
bathing his hot head and hands and
listening, while the tears poured down
her cheeks, to his piteous appeals for
help, for shelter, for food-for some
thing that seemed more urgent than all
these, but which was expressed in
words that made it utterly unintelligi-
BILE to her. By evening he seemed so
little, If any, better, that she deter
mined to watch him all night, and with
the first dawn to 60 for doctor, get
him to keep her secret, If he would,
until the patient could be moved-but
at any cost to bring aid.
She had returned to the house after
one of these visits to make such prep
arations as her plans required, when
the rattle Of wheels was heard before
the door, and q moment later Mr.. Mel
son came in.
what brings you back home so very
soon? his wife exclaimed, springing
to meet him. And what makes you
look so strange? Have you bad news"
God only knows if it be good or
bad" he answered huskily. 1T is either
the best or the worst of news, Mollie-
for it tells us that our boy, whom we
have mourned as dead all these years,
is alive and actually on his way to us,
or that he has persisted almost at our
very door: I cannot tell you the story
now; can hardly credit it myself; but
our boy, stolen By tramps so many
years ago. learned in some way that his
parents were living here, and according
to the letter have from an old friend
out West, was known to have come on
here to try and find U.s. I have traced
him almost, if not quite, to this very
town, and there the c1ew is lost. Who
knows but he may have been turned
from some door, just as so many have
been turned from ours, and so be lost
to- us forever? He may have fallen
sick on the way, be poor, destitute az
we'll as homeless-on1y tramp, poor
fellow; who would believe or take pity
on him?'
ooh, husband-no, nor began Mrs.
Nelson in an agony OF agita ton, but
Miriam glanced at him rs he threw
back his hair from his forehead with
quick, nervous gesture, sprung forward
and grasped his arm.
"Come with me,' she exclaimed.
"Quick, quicI-for Gods sakev'
Still clutching his arm, she hurried
him out of the house and to the barn,
never stopping until she reaches the
side Of the poor stranger, once more
tossing in delirium. One look Mr.. Mel
son cast at him, then started back with
a. groan, which was answered by
womans shrek as his wife sprung past
him and fell on her knees by the sick
man, and, clasplng his head in her
arms, rained tears and kisses upon it.
my Herbert-my boy-my very
own" she exclaimed. ooh, thank God
thank Godr@ then suddenly compre-
bending the situation, she sprung up
and caught Miriam to her heart.
This is what you have DONE" she
cried. Saved my boy-my Herbert;
who must have died but for you. Oh,
bless yeu-b1ess your and then sunk in
8 swoon at her feet.
When she recovered she was lying in
her OWE bed, and Miriam seated beside
her; her face bathed in a rain Of happy
tears.
"Where is he-my boy?' she gasped
sitting up right. lis it really true, or
only a dream?"
Really true, mother" was the low
response ''He is in his own room once
more; and the doctor says although he
is very low, he has strong hopes"
And those hopes were realized when,
a month later, Herbert was able to sit
up and tell story that sounded like
fairy tale, and how, In following the
faint clew, he had become utterly des-
titute, then i'll and half-crazed.
But this good angel found and had
compassion on me-" he said, clasping;
the hand that rested on the arm of the
chair and holding it close. ITO her, to;
whom I owe under Providence my life
and restoration to you, that life belongs
while it lasts"
"And most willingly do I grant it, ~
said Mr.. Nelson, casting a fond glance.
at Miriam's radiant face that had told
it's own sweet story ere now. 1T was
the very essence Of love that gave her
courage to aid and befriend a nameless
tramp at the risk Of her own welfare,
and that enabled her to trace the like
ness that gave me back my boy. With
all my heart welcome her as a daugh-
ter-nearer, but not more dear than
she has been to us all these years."
All hearts were too full to say more