The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1897-10-15
scattering the fragrant mass over the

scattering the fragrant mass over the
snowy bed and its occupant
Mrs. Hathaway gave little gasp. The
roses were dreadfully dewy. but they
did smell good. Still. it was not roses
she wanted.
Rena answered the unspoken wistful-
ness of her face.
Now, what do you want me to re-
cite?" she asked.
II wish you'd say something real
funny. l haven't heard anything funny
in so long," Mrs. Hathaway answered.
lmploringly.
Whatever can | recite that's real
funny?" thought Rena, in dire per-
rlexity. EVERY hing funny is SO mixed
up with the pathetic. might tell them
How Katie Entertained Her Sisters
Beau It's pretty near as bad as Cur
few Shall Not ling but believe they
will like it," So she told the absurd lit
tie story of Katic's exploits.
John Hathaway roared with delight.
The cute little rat!" he cried. ad-
mirngly, didn't she just get it on
that sister of hers?"
The roses over Mrs. Hathaway tum-
bled around as though they were expert
eEcing small earthquake.
II didn't know anything could be so
funny" she gasped. wiping her stream
ing eyes. Cant you go on?"
Aren't you afraid it will hurt you?"
asked Rena, apprehensively.
Hurt me! | haven't felt so stirred
up and good for months"
Itwas nearly an hour later when Rena
emerged breathless and rosy from the
cottage. and met DR.. Randolph at the
gate.
why, thought you went to the
Downs!" she said, astonished.
mo, concluded not to go. How is
your patient?"
"Oh, doctor, there was never any
thing like it," she cried, ecstaticaIly.
you were right. All she needed was
'rousing,' and l reused her. I'm sure
she will get we'll. Irecited everything.
from Katie Entertaining Her Sisters
Beau to When Grandmamma Danced
the Minuet,' and furnished my own or
chestra. They did enjoy it SO! 1t was
just lovely!"
Doctor" she said. rather hesitating-
ly, do you know other people like
those, you know, who might like some
thing of this kind?"
"Yes, Miss Rena, have a whole hos
pital full who would surely like some
thing of this kind to whom it would be
joy and delight, even if you did not
cure them ALL"
Il think l will go to them. then,"
Rena replied, with decision. Its more
fun than anything I've tried yet"
Taking that view of the case, the
fun" was certainly shared in good
measure in the convalescent and sur
gical wards of the hospital. and many
dreary hours were shortened and made
brighter by her efforts.
1t was never reported that she saved
the lives of any of the patients. so it was
Mrs. Hathaway's proud boast that las
far as she had heard tell she was the
only person who had ever been cured
by elocution."
But the enjoyment and delight those
poor mortals experienced, the pain and
troubles they forgot, were legion. 1t
was a new world to SO many of them,
q world full of such grand thoughts,
such loving ones, such side-splitting.
innocent mirth, that in many cases it
was a more lasting tonic than the med
icine they took. While Doctor Reua."
as her friends all dubbed her, declared
she never had So lovely time in all her
life as she had had since she commenced
her amusement crusade. and DR.. Ran
dolph-but that is another story.-The
Household