Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1899-11-18

ed on, a rattle of fire irons, and the
nurses work was done. Tomkins walked
to the bed, collecting bottles in her prog
ress. One was eau de cologne. another a
salts bottle. "Smell thesew she exclaim-
ed. presenting the apex of each bottle to
the patients nose. Mildred was taken
by surprise. and the strong salts made
her gasp. l commanded my language and
sat still, considering the situation with a
camlness which afterward astonished me.
So long as | was by it was all right, l
said to comfort myself, and | would al
ways be by so long as Mildred was being
"nurSed"
L enscOnced myself in an easy chair
which was drawn up to the fireside On
the dressing table near by a little cloud
of blue smoke ascended to the ceiling,
sickly eastern smell emanating from the
burning paper. leaned over and blew
it out. l did not approve of my wifes
room smelling of these scents. Nurse
saw the action. She stopped shaking the
pillows into a hard mass and looked at
me questioningly. 'Them papers purify
the atmosphere of sickroom," she said
in explanation. AT my last case
burned them day and night Captain
Nilc-sDc Was d ittl IJuN- anu
she liked fine smells" Mildred told me
afterward Mrs. Games name had been
q. familiar one to her and that she ap-
peared to have been a most remarkable
woman. She evidently was a good pa
tient in so far as endurance went. Mrs.
Eames and me-" continued Nurse, resum-
ing her explanation of the burning
papers, 'we 'ad the same views on your
modern nursing and them Ugh and
mighty young modern nurses who are
'aving their 'eads turned by all them
newfangled notions and them funds and
associations--and Mrs. Eames and me
we often said as 'ow it was all fudge,
Now, in 'er case Nurse Tomkins went
on, them doctors ordered er to eat noth-
ing all day long. Well, that wasn't the
first case of typhoid | ad nursed-and |
knew well the pretty young creatures
strength couldn't old out against starva-
tion for weeks-she. as was accustomed
to ride i'll her carriage and ave the best
victuals in the land-so l just judges for
myself, and | takes 'er up a cut of meat
on the sly-she that sad and beseeching-
like for a bit of somethin. to eat-and
didn't she just perk up at it. And look
ed so pretty with all her iaces and frills
round her bonny face-'twasn't the first
case of typhoid 'ad by no means.''
"And Mrs. Eames recovered?" asked.
"The pretty creature. she died in my
arms as gentle and mild as lamb, and
l never saw Il prettier deathbed.' re-
sponded Tomkins. "She was real lady
the flowers in her room were something
lovely-and FER husband, he sobbed 'is
eyes out, and no wonder-she that was
worth a dozen of 'im-and when l left
that 'ouse, after all my devoted duty, 'e
never 50 much as give me sixpence
more than my pay
Aiildred's head tossed restlessly on the
pillow. Nurse l said. and / held the
door open as | spoke, will you come and
speak to me Il minute down stairs" l
left the room. Tomkins followed me into
the dining room.
'Tell me-" asked her. what training
have you had in nursing:"
Twelve years." she answered, her
head held high.
Twelve years-at hospital?"
"Lor' bless you, no sir; never required
no teaching. l was born nurse, and
pick it up as 60"
"As you go?" l asked "Your institu-
ton accepts unframed nurses, then?'
''That it doesn't, SIR" she returned,
with spirit 81 had five years experience
when joined. | was nurse ever since
| was years old. My poor father, he
suffered
But" 1 put in. interrupting what
guessed might develop into a lengthy
anecdote, you have had no training then
no training as nurse!"
Nafr 70 ~ caid Tnn,l-ipS
Mature and observation. II saw any
thing made patient worse. l altered my
treatment next time. I've 'ad great ex-
perience with the sick, as | am seldom
called in unless it's an incurable case"
l had been pacing the narrow limits of
the room while Tomkins spoke, and when
she ceased ! was conscious of tremor
in my speech. l didn't say much. as little
as l could, but l paid Tomkins for her
services" and | satisfactorily conveyed
to her mind that l could dispense with
them in the future. For the sake of
peace / gave the woman a few shillings
beyond what she expected, but her alb
sence, | considered, would be cheaply
bought at thrice that sum, and l never
felt more relieved than when l heard the
rumble of the cab down the quiet seaside
road TOmkins took the landlady into
her confidence before her departure, and
| heard her say in the loud voice she as
sumed in the sickroom, "'E'n kill that
dear little wife of is just as likely as
not. 'E's had no experience with the
sick, and them young husbands amt fir
TO ave the care of Il young wife. Now.
if staid"-
But | wanted To hear no more, and
when | stood next by Mildred's side |
took her hand in mine as if could never
let it go. and n feeling of heroism seized
me that Mildred was saved from the
jaws of death and that | was her savior.
BudAc,