Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1895-05-02

Eyes, / am BETTER" Mary said em-
phatically. Cousin Jennie says can
| get we'll and am going to do Just as
she advises and see if it is possible"
'Then you must remember that the
| first step is to believe that you are go
| ing to get WE'LL" / said, bending to
kiss the white face which in the clear
| light showed sadly the marks of severe
| pain and her extreme emaciation.
l left her alone for half hour to the
rest felt sure she needed, then with
out giving her hint of my intention.
wrapped her in blanket and
had her brother carry her to
the family sitting room and
place her on sofa. She was greatly
surprised at the sudden change, but
uttered no remonstrance. The family
were SO heartily glad to see her, fear
ed they would overdo the matter in
their welcome, SO | protested against
too much talking. She bore it wonder
fully well, be tier than expected.
In the meantime / opened all the
windows and the outside door in an
adjoining hall, giving her room a
thorough airing.
Before returning to her room | gave
her q sponge bath with the water at
| 20 degrees, -uncovering only a small
portion of the surface at u time, rub
| bing briskly with towels, then with the
open palm until / brought healthy
glow to the dry feverish skin. After
dressing her in fresh clothing, turning
the mattress over and making the bed
with clean linen, she was carried back
and comfortable for the night.
The change to the other room and
the bath had caused healthy WEAKNESS
which made the chamber and fresh
clothing very agreeable to her.
NOW here is your sleeping portion, "
said rs l gave her n cup Of warm
Cruel. Drink it all, then trot away
to sunderland.
The next morning found her bright
and cheerful.
go had such sweet sleep?' she
said with animation, Il have not been
SO refreshed for months. l have had
to take bromide and choral every night
in order to sleep at all. What did you
put in the gruel?"
"Only a little common sense, my
dear. An animal will never sleep on
an empty stomach, you know; and in
your case the process of digestion
drew the blood from your overcharged
brain and induced sleep. Now drink
this handing her cup of water,
comfortably hot, with slice of lemon
in it. 1t will warm your stomach
ready for your breakfast"
After drinking it she sat up in bed,
bathed face and hands and arranged
her hair.
See" she said after she had finish
ed, II havn't done that for myself for
| four months"
/ had prepared her breakfast myself
a poached egg. a dish of Thoroughly
cooked oatmeal, and plate of delicious
grapes.
Her eyes frightened. ~ believe l
am hungry" she said, land l cannot
remember the time l have been so be-
fore. But is it safe for such a weak
stomach as mine to take those
grapes ?'
Just try it and see; will answer for
consequences; only be sure and do not
swallow the seeds"
as she ate. and if laughter helps diges-
ton and increases appetite. it might
account for Mary's calling for the sec
plate of oatmeal, to Aunt Martha S
| establishment. "She hasn't eaten so
| much at one time in year."
she said with surprise and pleasure.
Mary had not observed the absence
| of tea with her breakfast until the meal
was ended, then she turned to me in
quiringly.
do you feel thirsty2' 1 asked.
Not in the least. The grapes were
food and drink"
Then do not drink any tea. now. |
think it increases your headache and
sleeplessness, and certainly your nerves
| need no stimulant. would prefer, if
you can do without it, that you take
no drink of any kind with your meals.
You will chew your food more thor
oughly, and it will digest better. will
bring you a glass of warm milk and
water in an hour"
After had given this to her chang
ed her night clothing for that worn the
day before, which, had been summing
in the back yard since early morning.
Then wrapping her again in blanket,
she was carried to a sofa on the back
veranda, where with her head alone
in shade, the rest of the body received
the full benefit of the sunshine.
At first the strong light was painful
to the weak eyes accustomed only to a
darkened room, so l put over them a
green silk shade screening them from
the glare. She lay for a long time
silently drinking in the pure, fresh air
and watching the distant landscape
from beneath her shade.
"Oh Jennie! it's like heaven she
said at last How blind and foolish
have BEEN"
1--WE will not mourn over the past
now-but be thankful your eyes were
opened before it was too late"
After an hours thorough summing
she was carried back TO her bed. which
had been aired ard the linen changed
for that used the day before, which like
the clothing, had been summing for
hours.
As expected. Mary was asleep ant
never awakened until dinner time.
Then she was ready for II hearty
meal of roast beef with n few of thu
grapes for relish.
| Pofora INV two Nvanks' visit anln(