The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1899-07-20
CHAPTER V.
A BREEZE

That hospitable southern home of
General Arthur Eldridge, G. S. A.. had
it's physician. who, so far as the ordi-
nary ailments Of the human flesh are
concerned could have given lessons to
the majority Of the profession who hold
the duly certified diplomas of the most
famous medical schools of the land.
Aunt Marcie, wife of old Pete the
coachman. and mother of Rastus, had
nourished Adele when child through
a seemingly mortal illness after the reg
ular physician said all hope was vanish
ed, and she had sat by the bedside of
her beloved mistress as the weeping
husband uttered what he believed was
his last farewell and administered her
simple remedies, which pulled the
mother back from the edge of the dark
river. General Eldridge himself had re-
ceived the benefit Of that wonderful
skill which nature sometimes bestows
upon those that are the least gifted
mentally. while in the old days. when
the threescore slaves sang and worked
on the plantation, there was none who
willingly received the care of any doctor
in preference to Aunt Marcie.
Of all this Lieutenant Oakman knew
nothing, but when the old colored wo-
man, with her head swathed in gor
geous bandanna handkerchief, promptly
and deity removed the bandage from
the wounded arm with sniff of con-
tempt he felt somehow or other that it
was useless to send for the best surgeon
in the Union army, even if the oppor-
tunity were presented.
While Mrs. Eldridge and her daugh-
ter looked alphabetically on, with an
occasional word of pity. Aunt Marcie
attended to business.
might've knowed dat was done by
some fool Of white man like Jim Ack-
ers, she remarked as she laid the
stained and caked cloth aside. "It am
tied twice as tight as it orter be. OATS
what makes yo' face so red
Lieutenant Oakman felt his counte.
nance burning, for he was aware that
pair Of bright eyes were fixed com
miseratingly upon him, and he welcom
ed the chance for parry or diversion
"Why should that make my face
red, aunty?'
"Yo's a big fool as de rest OBJ d.
white folks. Doan' yo' see dat de band
age bein tied tight stops de blood from
promenadin trough de system an keep
it all in de head? Yo's mighty lucky
dat yo' head hain't busted afore dis. -
"Ah, how wonderful! never though
of that. .
"Cose yo' neber fought OBJ dat 70
wer'n't bon dat way.
The officer raised his eyes and me
those Of Miss Eldirdge, standing jus
behind her mother, fan in hand. Sh
put it in front Of her mouth to hide tn
smile she could not repress, while h
made no effort to check his own expires
sion Of amusement His eyes fitted
those of the mother, who had no hesita
ton in showing her pleasure
Just then aunty looked up.
''Lord sabe mel But must be quicl
for yo' face am redder dan eber. It.
bust suah eff doan' hurry
Despite the embarrassment felt b
the invalid under the battery of thos
black eyes, there was something might
soothing in the manipulation of b
wounded exm by the colored woman
She had carefully provided herself wit
the medicinal herbs brought by Rast,
from their cabin. From some bitt,
tea was made and from others coolir
lotion that was like the touch Of Il
winters breath upon the fevered for
head AS the black, horny hands pass
up and down the forearm, clearing
of the last traces Of coagulated bloc
spreading the subtle tonic over the ia
skin, through whose pores it gent
- stole it's way, pain vanished, and t.