Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-10-24
CHAPTER v.
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/ That hoSpitaDie SOUTHERN nome oi
General Arthur Eldridge. G. 8. A, had
its physician, who. 50 far as the ordi'
nary ailments Of the human flesh are
concerned. could have given lessons tc
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 a child through
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 a gor-
geous bandanna handkerchief, promptly
| and dsftly removed the bandage from
the wounded arm with q sniff Of con-
tempt he felt somehow or other that II
was useless to send for the best surgeon
in the Union army, even IL 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 ora white man like Jim Ack-
ers," she remarked as she laid the
stained and caked cloth aside. ut am
tied twice as tight as 1t orter be. OATS
what makes yo' face 80 red. F"
Lieutenant Oakman felt his counte-
nance burning, for he was aware that
a 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, auntyf"
"Yo's q big fool as de rest OBJ dc
white folks. Doan' yo' see dat de band
age bein tied tight stops de blood from
promenadin trough de system an keeps
| il all in de headt Yo's mighty lucky
dat yo' head hain't busted afore dis.
"Ah, how wonderful never thought
Of that"
"Cose 20 neber fought OBJ dat. 70
wer'n't BON dat way"
The officer raised his eyes and met
those Of Miss Eldirdge, standing just
behind her mother, fan In hand. She
put it in front Of her mouth to hide the
smile she could not repress, while he
made no effort to check his own express
MON of amusement. His eyes fitted to
those Of the mother, who had no hesita-
tion in showing her pleasure
Just then aunty looked up
Lord sabe me! But must De QUICK,
for yo face am redder dan eber. It'll
bust suah ef doan' hurry"
Despite the embarrassment felt by
the invalid under the battery Of thost
black eyes, there was something mighty
soothing in the manipulation Of hi'
wounded arm by the colored woman.
She had carefully provided herself with
the medicinal herbs brought by Rastui
from their cabin. From some bittel
tea was made and from others cooling
lotion that was like the touch OF thu
winters breath upon the fevered fore
| head. As the black. horny hands passed
up and down the forearm, clearing il
Of the last traces Of coagulated blood
spreading the subtle tonic over the fail