Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1895-08-23
MisfEllanfuMs.
FROM THE HOSPITAL.

knew | could depend upon the hospi-
tality of my flock to entertain this ex-
cellent young divine, seeing that my
own household is in so disorganized Il
condition. 1t will be only for night
or two, and we all know what is prom
ised to those who receive the angel I'M
awares !"
And Mr.. Dibble rubbed his hands
and looked smiingly around upon the
members of the Young Ladies' Aid As
ISOLATION, while perccptible murmur of
assent arose. Not a damsel in the mum
Der but would gladly have extended her
hospitality to Rev Felix Amory, who
was to preach a sermon in aid of "Home
Helps and Missions" at the village
church upon the coming Sunday evening.
"l'm sure" said Miss Lydia Lark
spur, promptly anticipating the crisis,
"papa would be most happy to receive
the gentleman.
"Most kind of you to propose it, |
am sure" said Mr.. Dibble, and 80 the
matter was settled
Lydia Larkspur went home aud is
sued orders that the parlor curtains
should be washed aud ironed, aud u
pound cake of the richest nature con
cocted while Kate Duer, the doctors
sister, who was as fond of young clergy
men as Lydia herself, and would in no
wise have objected to varying the mo-
notony of her home life with spice Of
ecclesiastical novelty, returned to her
crochet work,
1--WE are to have young lecturer
from the city in the church on Sunday
evening" she said to her brother, when
he hustled in to dinner
sch 7" said DR.. Duer, swallowing his
scalded soup; 'are We BY the way,
Kate, there's new case OF smallpox
reported among those hands on the rail-
way embankmcnt."
'Dear me 70 said Kate who was com
pounding refreshing salad in carved
wooden bowl IL hope you keep well
vaccinatcd, Hugh"
.'Oh, there's no trouble about that, I"
said the doctor 'only the other pa
tents in the hospital object to such
case"
II should think it very likely" said
Kate.
Il shall have to isolate him some
where" said DR.. Ducr, thoughtfully
ain one of those stone houses by the
river, perhaps. Old Mrs. Viggcrs has
had it, know
And then DR.. Ducr tasted the salad
and pronounced it first rate.
Pitchervile was all on the qui vive
that day, when the doubleshotted piece
Of tidings few on the tongue Of popular
rumor through the town. An actual
smallpox case in their own midst, and
young minister coming all the way from
New York to appeal to their sympathies
on behalf of home missions
IL wonder if it is contagious 7" said
old Mrs. McAdams. looking very round
eyed through her spectacles.
Contagious - said Mrs. Emmons /,
at ought to find it's way into every house
in our village
What" cried Mrs. McAdams "tho
smallpox? 7"
"No; certainly not" said Mrs Elm
mons "thc sympathetic movement IN
home missions "
And then everyone laughed. Mrs
McAdams looked puzzled, and Mrs.
Emmons drew herself up and remarked
that sit was very irreverent TO laugh at
sacred things
But Miss Lydia Larkspur, who had a
mortal horror Of the disease, was much
troubled in her mind
"Pve always bad premonition that
should fall victim 10 the smallpox. "
sighed she. 81 only wish pa would lot
me be vaccinatcd p
II was sultry August evening, the
sky full Of lurid clouds, the air charged
with electricity, and big drops beginning
to patter on the maple leaves, when there
sounded knock at Miss Lydia's door
a most mysterious tap, as she afterward
declared.
"Who's thcre'sY' said Miss Lydia,
opening it just sufficiently 10 obtain a
glimpse Of a tall, pale man. with
pocket handkerchief folded turbanwisc
around his head.
"Excusc me, said this apparition,
"but believe have lost my way.
Might | ask shelter from the shower
am the young man from the hospital. "
Certainly not" said Miss Lydia,
closing the door abruptly in his face,
with little shrek Good gracious
have | stood face to face with tho
smallpox case r
And then she rang for the servant
and the camphor bottle aud went into
Mysteries.
Mrs. Printemps lived in the next
house--a picturesque cottage overhung
with Virginia crcepers. with little
plaster cast Of Cupid in the garden. and
great many bluebells and carnations -
young widow who read all the newest
books, and sometimes wrote gushing
poems Mrs. Priniemps imagined her.