The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1897-05-19

went with her, after first taking ont
twith an Importance that surprisedanC
half-shamed me, most Of the necessar.
instruments of aphysiciAn. 80
q. A Across the street to great cour
lying behind long row OF houses, III
five flights, each darker and steepe
than the last, through an ill-6ttint
door into Il little chamber with slop
ing ceiling and one tiny window, ant
there on poor but neat bed, will
feverish limbs, and wandering, uncon
scious eyes, lay child'about fourteen
months old. The woman knelt dowI
by the bed.
"She doesn't know me any more,
she moaned.
The child coughed hoarsely. ThaJ
was Group of the worst kind. ] tore {
leaf from my blank-book and wrote
my first real prescription. ..f...
! go to the nearest apothecary's,
I said, ..#aae
| She looked at me with some embar-
rassment. Cant l take it to King
streetP" she asked.
| mo, indeed" l cried. "Why do
you not wish to go to the apothecary
in this streetp" r {. E
The women redeemed yisibly in spite
of the coal dirt. az think" she STAN
mered, "at the Eagle Pharmacy, in
King street, they may know me. l
carry coal there, and perhaps the will
i have no money" A large tear fell
onto the paper in her hand. - b.. s-
COB, these people who can't pay for
doctor or medicine either !" | said,
impatientiy, to myself. took out
some money and said aloud; "There,
take that and hurry!"
The woman pressed her lips on the
little ones hand, and then, before l
could stop her, on mine, and fastened
away. ... %.
| looked around the room for seat.
A poor chair, rough box, an old
table, some cheap kitchen utensils on
the low, cold stove, which took the
place of range; in one corner, hang
ing on the WALL a threadbare WOODEN
dress, and near it a child's gown and
a little hat trimmed with blue rib
bon; on the narrow shelf near the
tiny window q curled myrtle plant, a
scarlet geranium, and hymn book
with bright gilt edges; that was all
that the room contained. ..a
1 brought up the chair and sat
down near the little sick girl. She
was evidently we'll uourished her
little limbs were plump and shapely,
the golden hair soft and curly. She
breathed painfully, but she was not
conscious and her blue eyes stared |
straight Before her, as if she were
looking into a distant, unknown coun.
try. 1t was cold in the room. l went |
TO the stove, but found only q few
few to build fire. So l |
sat down and waited for the woman
and the medicine. .-s-ar s... .lE
Again and again my glance wan
Tered about the poverty stricken
,oom. A poor, working woman
who carried coal on the street, while
Ter child lay sick and suffering; and
yet she certainly loved her little one
Suddenly thought shot
through my mind that l should not
1e able to save the child; that per-
laps | had not been decided enough
% take on my own responsibility the
,xtreme and energetic measures which
would have wrested the little sufferer
rom death. My heart grew hot as
lurried to the door and listened for
he mothers footsteps.
There she was at last. To my re-
look she only answered,
lumbly: "Ihere were SO many people
n the store, Folks like me must
tand back. -.. #.a .G
An hour of torture passed. The
ledicine did no good; little Mary
ould not swallow 1t. Neither did it
vail when, with trembling heart, but
steady hand, l used the knife on the
lender, helpless throat. The little
olden-haired girl died-died before
~ eyes on the lap OF her stricken
lother. -
The woman looked up as if startled
hen tear fell on to her hand, for
be had not wept. "You are crying,
DOCTOR? Oh you must not do that.
GU will lave to stand by so many
lex beds where God sends no relief"
he looked earnestly at the little !
ody. II loved her SO. did every.
hing for her that could, being so !
cor. When came home from my
irty work | always found her SO
retty, SO loving. For hours she :
Guild lie on the bed or sit on the !
oorand play with almost nothing, =
nd then che would laugh for Joy !
hen | came home. God has taken
or He loved her better than but
b, how lonely it will be for me l' :
l pressed the poor woman's hand; l.
could not speak, but l laid some !,
oney on the table and went out :
'ftly. Once at home, | laid my case :
instruments away, and sat down +
I could eat no supper;
went to bed and hoped to sleep, but ?
e picture of dismal attic room, of I
dead child, and humble, devout G
oman would not let me rest, any Il
ore than the torturing recollection I
my own part in that scene.
Early the next morning an old col q
sc friend came to see me as he was \
.ssing through the city. He dragged I
e through the crowded streets, to the h
useums, to all sorts of restaurants, and n
implanted of my lack of spirits. 1 Il
eaded headache, and so escaped e
ling to see a popular play at the u
eater. Tired and exhausted, I went e
last alone to my room. As | passed
florists brilliantly lighted windows,
stepped in and bought costly white
mellia and some fragrant violets. ID
| Climbed the five hights TO The D