The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-11-20

WHICH OOuu Woo dOiO W loo'O MO
bed he sat in a big chair by the win
dow. He was too weak to talk, bus
he could tap on the glass, and Miss
Murphy, in answer, would press her
nose up against the pane. Then she
must be fed where John could see
her. The first time she emptied her
pail she looked at Mr.. Simpson as
though waiting for something else,
then went to John at the window and
back to Mr. Simpson again. He knew
she was waiting for something, but
what7
docs she want morei"
John shook his head-no.
what does she want?"
John rubbed both hands over his
face, but his uncle did not under
stand.
$50 tell him, Aunt jane" said
John, "that she wants her nose wiped
off,
well, what nexta' said Mr.. Simp-
son.
The weather soon moderated, so
that the window could be raised.
"You don't know what I've been
through, Miss Murphy" John said.
"They call it congestion of the lungs,
but that wasn't half of it. The peo-
pie here are awful good when you're
sick, just awful goodl They come
and stay all day and night with you.
Would you believe it, twice / had
a nine-weeks' run OF typhoid fever
with old Mr.. Henly1 And one night
l had Group with one of Mrs. Green's
twins. | nearly died. Then l had
rheumatism and broken legs, and
bucking horse threw me and crushed
my skull"
Zone day Miss Warner, that nice old
maid that has parrot, brought me
some custard. 1t looked so good,
just as if mother made 1t; but was
teething with the Green twins that
day and couldn't eat mouthful.
But the worst thing was old Mrs.
Halliday's cancer. She's dead but
her cancer was right here on her
ankle" John twisted his foot up on
the window-sill. at went to the bone
and it had to be cleansed and soraped
out and sslve put on it. Ouch But
that hurtp John grasped his ankle
with both hands and groaned. Miss
Murphy licked his hands.
Aunt Jane hurried in.
whats the matter, joint" she
asked
care you in paint Perhaps 1 had
better put down the window"
No, Aunt Jane; I'm just talking
to Miss Murphy"
"Well, l don't see why you take so
much comfort in doing that when
she cannot talk"
That's just the reason, | think.
It's a comfort to have her just look
and understand and not say anything.
That's why we always agree"
Give lots of news for you, Miss
Murphy" said John one morning.
"My mother is coming. o, you'll
like her" as he thought be saw a
doubtful look in the Calls eyes. "My
sickness worried her, and she is COM
ing to stay, and father is going to sell
his business, just keep an interest In
1t, and he's coming out here to be a
ranchman as long as I have to stay
here. And you are the beginning of
the ranch. Uncle gave you to me.
And I'm going to buy up calves from
the dairymen who don't want them,
and in few years I'll have cattle of
my own. Only won't do any brand
ing. Itmakes me sickl 1t must hurt
awfully to be burnt and have great
big sore itching and burning for
weeks. I'm not going to allow any
Of my cattle to be burned by brand
ing"
"How do you intend to manage
without iii" asked his uncle, who had
overheard him.
well. there are lots of things, like
acids, that kill hair without hurting
the skin. I'm going to study and
find out what is best, and then I'll
put it on with brush. All the hair
will come off and leave the mark the
same as branding, but it won't get
sore or hurt"
well, boy, l think your idea is a
| good one, and it would be easier than
the old way. | wonder it has not
been done before. Study it out. The
rest will follow your lead. l should
not wonder if Miss Murphy proved
in the end to be benefactor to her
kind. Our Animal Friends.
HIATT