The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1899-02-03

sliding from her seat on the couch
and kneeling by the side of it, in which
attitude she remained for some tim
in fervent prayer. At last she resumed
her seat, and her face wore an aspec
Of more composure.
Philip, who, during this, had re
manned silent and thoughtful, agar
addressed his mother.
Look We, mother. You ask me tt
stay on shore with you and starve-
rather hard conditions; now hear what
! have to say. That room opposite has
been shut up eve since Lean remem.
ber--why, o will never tell me; but
once I heard you say, when we were
without bread, and with no prospect Of
my uncle's return-you were then hall
frantic, mother, Is you know you
sometimes are"
well, Philip, what did you hear me
say" inquired his mother, with trem-
ulous anxiety.
you said, mother, that there was
money in that room which would save
us; and then you screamed and raved.
and said that you preferred death,
Now, mother, what is there in that
chamber, and why has it been SO long
shut up? Either l know that, or l GO
to sea-"
At the commencement of this ad-
dress Of Philip, his mother appeared to
be transf1Xed and motionless as q
statue; gradually her lips separated
and her eyes glared; she seemed to
have lost the power of reply; she put
her hand to her right side, as if to
compress it, then both her hands, as
if to relieve herself from excruciating
torture; at last she sank, with her head
forward, and the blood poured out of
her mouth.
Philip sprang from the table to her
assistance, and prevented her from
falling on the floor. He laid her on
the couch, watching with alarm the
continued effusion.
ooh, mother, mother! what is this? ?"
cried he, at last, in great distress.
For some time his mother could
make no reply; she turned further on
her side, that she might not be suf-
located by the discharge from the rup-
tured vessel, and the snow-white
planks of the floor were soon crimson
ed with her blood.
Speak, dearest mother, if you can,"
repeated Philip, in agony. What shall
I do?-what shall I give you?1God AL
mighty! what is this?"
Death, my child, DEATH" at length
replied the poor woman, sinking into
a state of Inconsistencies.
Philip, now much alarmed, flew out
of the cottage and called the neighbors
to his mothers assistance. Two or
three fastened to the call; and as soon
as Philip saw them occupied in restor-
ing his mother. he ran as fast as he
could to the house of a medical man
who lived about a mile off-one Myn-
heer Poots, a little, miserable, avar-
icious wretch, but known to be very
skillful in his profession. Philip found
Poots at home and insisted upon lis
immediate attendance.
81 will come-yes, most certainly"
replied Poots, who spoke the language
but imperfectly; but, Mynheer Van
derdecken, who will pay me?"
PAY you? my uncle will, directly
that he comes home"
your uncle, de Skipper Vanbren-
men? no, he owe me four ~guilders, and
he has owed me for a long time. Be-
sides, his ship may sink"
HE shall pay you the four guilders,
and for this attendance Also" replied
Philip in a rage; come directly
while you are disputing my mother
may be dead"
But Mr.. Philip, l cannot come, now
[ recollect; 1 have to see the child Of
he burgomaster at Terneuse," replied
Mynheer Poots.
Look you, Mynheer Poots," ex-
claimed Philip, red with passion, you
a V but to choose-will you go quiet
y, or must I take you there? You'll not
rifle with me-"
Here Mynheer Poots was under con-
siderable alarm, for the character Of
Philip Vanderdecken was well known.
"I will come by and by, Mynheer
Philip, if 1 can"
You'll come now, you wretched old
exclaimed Philip, Selling hold
If the little man by the collar, and
him out of his door.
Murder! murder!!" cried Poots, as
le lost his legs, and was dragged along
the impetuous young nan.
Philip stopped, for he perceived that
ooots was black in the face.
"Must 1 then choke you to make you
20 quietly? for, hear me, go you shall,
live or dead"
"Well, them" replied Poots, recov-
ring himself, 81 will go, but I'll have
-ou in prison tonight; and, as for your
mother, I'll not-no, that 1 will not
dynheer Philip, depend upon it,"
Mark me, Mynheer Poots," replied
Philip, "as sure as there is a God in
leaven, if you do not come with me
IL choke you now; and when you ar
i've, if you do not do your best for
ny poor mother, I'll murder you there.
lou know that 1 always do what 1 say,
o now take my advice, come along
Iuietly, and you shall certainly be