The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1896-11-05
mony OF knocking

but blaze up cheerfully. A hard
featured old crone, who was doing
on a stool by the hearth, with her cap
friJIs in imminent danger from the
fickering fame of a single tallow
candle that burned sulkily on an i'm
prOmptu bracket, formed by a shingle
thrust into a chink of the chimney
stones, started up, and began to cOur
tesy as the doctor entered.
"Well, Mrs Hopper, and how is the
patient?'
"Quiet. sir-quIte quiet"
And the child"
As peaceful as a lamb, bless its
little heart?'
Dr. Tracy took up the candle and
strobe across the room to a low, wood
en- bedstead in the most distant
corner where a human figure was
dimIy outlined beneath a torn and
tattered counterpane. Close beside
it, with a shower of tieecy, faxen
ringlets mingling with the black,
disheVeled locks of the PROSTATE wom-
an, nestled a child, who looked up
into the doctors eyes as he approach
ed. with innocent, wondering looks.
Il give her the drops at o'clock"
whined the Old woman, land she haln't
made no fuss since. | calc'lated |
would not disturb her, cause there
amt nothin' SO refreshin' for sick folks
as sleep
Sleep echoed DR., Tracy, bending
I, No ox-o,+pl faan ", ,rnnl
soul, she's dead"
Dead shrieked the old woman,
rushing across the floor, dead.' Come
away, child, quick"
The little creature slid to the ground
with cOmposure strangely at varl-
ance with her age, and stood alter
mattel y cycling her two companions.
L hope, doctor, you'll see L don't
lCse nothin' by the expense I've been
to, whined Mrs. Hopper; Pm lone
Widder woman, and"
And the biggest harpy in the
countryn added Dr. Tracy; Il knew
that when | had this poor creature
bRoUght here when | found her dy-
ing by the roadside night before last; !;
but | couldn't very we'll help myself.
Don't be alarmed, Mrs. Hopper, you
shall not be a sufferer: But about
this little girl | really don't know
what to do. | suppose she'll have to
go to the poOr-hOuse.'
lie hesitated an instant, mechanic
ally smoothing the heecy, yellow curls
of the mOtlOnleSS little girl,
Il suppose" he said, nodding to-
ward the corpse, she left no money
nor valuables of any kind?'
"Not a bit of it, sis, for"
But the child stepped forward, a
fragile bit of thing. but erect and
resolute.
What did you do with that little
bag you took off nurse Nina's neck"
Bag" stammered the confounded
woman.
"Yes-you took it off her neck last
night when you thought was asleep"
The child is dreaming" said Mrs
Hopper, turning red and white.
But | do not think she is" said
the doctor, quietly but firmly. Give
her the bag, Mrs. Hopper"
L never see no bag, as sure as L
live and breather' asserted the woman;
but DR.. Tracy's quick eye followed
the direction Of her wandering glance.
He stepped across the room and re
moved the cushion or the stool; be
meath it lay small, red, leather bag
drawn up by a tarnished gilt cord.
That Is my bag" said the child,
holding out her small hand.
Yes; but had | not better keep it
for you? And, little one, perhaps l
shall take you home with me tonight;
it is not we'll that you should stay in
the house with death"
Il am not afraid of death" said the
child, gravely. Il saw my uncle Pa
olo die
"Who?" demanded Dr. Tracy,
turning suddenly around.
My uncle Paolo."
And what is your name?'
Bertha Petroni."
DR.. lracy's heart seemed to stand
still.
Come here, my child" he said, in
q t1tluliOuS hOISt. W DO Ndo lHIS
woman that lies dead here?
My nurse, Nina"
And how did she come here?"
\ puzzled expression came over
the grave little face.
Il don't know, sir: she came to
look for some one-l don't know
who
How old are you, Bertha?"
Il am eight years old"
Dr. Tracy opened the little leather
bag: it contained yellow letter, worn
through all the edges, and signed
Helen Petroni," a slender chain OF
gold, and a tiny ring set with tur
quoises. He closed it again, feeling
like one who had unexpectedly en-
countered some rare, long lost treas
ure.
Come. little Bertha, | shall take
you home with me-" he said, rising.
She put her hand in his with
simple trust that brought the involun-
tary tears to his eyes, and they drove
away, leaving Mrs, Hopper muttering
and groaning on the treshhold, like
one of the witches III Macbeth.
Child" he said, breaking the long,
oppressive silence when they were
about haE way home, you are an or
phan?"
Yes said little Bertha, simply.
DO you remember nothing of your
mammal"
Mamma" repeated the child,vague-
ly. My mamma-no: | never had a
mamma
Wouldn't you like to have one?"
1-don't-know," hesitated Bertha.
L don't know how it would seem to
have one
1t was intensely dark when they
drove up to the doctors house, but the
window lights shone like cheerful
beacons, and Helen was in the hall to
greet him.
My love, he said, standing on the
fbrac hold II Inv, l,,o,,,.b. =: l.,