The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1898-07-26

God help us and save us, mavour-
neen, must get one of the neighbors TO
go for DR.. McArdle. Won't we take O. 3
sup o. tay, me darlint, or can't do
somethin' for We? I'll lay cold cloth
on her forehead. It's burnin'."
As the mother hurried to the sink to
wet towel she heard the tramping of
many feet on the stairs below, and then
loud rapping at the doors of the apart
ments of the four families on each floor.
AS she was returning to her daughters
bedside the footsteps came nearer.
There seemed to be at least half dozen
men in the party.
Rat-tat-tati
They were at Mrs. Bertelli's own door
now.
who's there?" she asked, with some
little perturbation.
Board of health inspectors" came
the prompt answer. open the door!"
She turned the key in the lock, the
door was flung open, and stalwart
member Of the sanitary board stepped
into the room. followed by a tall, kindly
faced man, enveloped in an ulster After
him came others. until the small room
was crowded with men,
Anybody sick here?" asked the man
in the ulster.
.Ale daughter, sir" faltered Mrs. Ber-
tell.
LET us have look at her. Where is
she?"
Mrs. Bertelli pointed to the little bed
room.
"She's in there, SIR" she said, m a
voice broken with apprehension of evil.
The big policeman picked up the lamp
and led the way into the apartment, the
man in the ulster following. a few mo-
ments of silence in the darkness. and
then the black figure of the tall man was
outlined in the doorway against the
lamp light.
'Dr. Raymond" he cried. in authori-
tatiye tones, there's a wcll-developed
case here. Send out call for the
wagon. Officer, let no one except oul
party come in or go out of this room I'M
til il has been fumigated. Let me have
some vaccine points"
an the name of God, man. what is the
matter?" cried Mrs Bertelli. terror
stricken.
Your daughter has malignant small
pox," answered the man in the ulster
who was the chief inspector, "and WI
are about to remove her TO the hospita
: on North Brother Island"
"Oh, for the love O. God. sir, don
take her away from me. She's all hav
! in the world to love-me Joy, me pride
If We take her away from me she'll di
in the pest house. Oh, my"
"Stand aside now, my good woman
Well take good care of her. Yo
wouldn't imperil the health of the 20
people in this house, would you?"
Day after day, regardless of pourin
rain, driving snow or frosty blast,
e Irishwoman. followed by short bu
r brawny Italian. entered an Office in th
e health department building, and stoo
aside until the last person had been a
o tended to by the clerk. or until the kline
n hearted policeman detailed to the plac
| had approached, and asked the coupl
e their business. Then with sorrowfi'
voice the woman would say:
5. "We had little gyurl, sir, who wa
l sick and they took her away from II
e and stint her across the river Mebb
g sir, we've got some word from her Il
:. day. Mebbe We could find out for |
/ how she's gettin' along"
q What's the trouble?"
Smallpox. sir"
e Hum. Hospital for contagious di
d eases. North Brother Island. WI;
name?"
"Mary Bertelli, sir"
u ''No. No word to-day"
d Thank you, sir. No word. Ton
Il God pity u.s." and they would wa
away.
5, In the hurry and hustle Of gre
II city's charitable bureau there is but Il
Id tie time to answer the simple inquiri
of simple souls, and no doctors bt
= letins are received from the great i
n and hospitals recording the conditi'
n of the thousands of humble sufferer
but there was look of dumb, patio
y grief on the faces and attitudes OF
Bertellis that touched the hearts OF I
n. clerk and the policeman.
Is One bleak day the couple entered, a
ne in answer to the policeman's questlo
>, the clerks finger running down t
page of his register stopped sudden
II midway. and he said. in low tone:
Oh "Hum. The little girl is across t
i river"
His tone was not low enough to
is cane an anxious mothers ear. 5
as clasped her hands. the tears of Joy r
or down her cheeks, and she sobbed;
:, GOD and His Blessed Mother
lie praised Do you hear, Tony? G
MT little gyurl is comm home"
es "You don't understand, my pc
ct woman said the big policeman in
re husky voice toned TO whisper. "Yc
nd little girl has gone home. Gone aer'
the river, to a home where there's
me- more sickness or trouble. Quick. To
er. Hand me glass of water. The p'
II souls tainted. God help her-'-Pet
ca sons Magazine.
Mt -
Ter Opinions of Pessimtst.
lis When a man who has reputation
ras yvickeduess does a good deed he get