The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-06-19
CHAPTER III.
A DEATH IN M1DocEAN.

A DEATH IN MIDOCEAN
When Malcolm Kirk entered the lit
tie cabin room to which the steward
led him, he found the assistant urgeon
of the steamer bending over the figure
in the berth there.
A m was sitting near by.
The surgeon rose and beckoned Kirk
to step outside a moment.
"You are a clergyman"
Kirk nodded.
The surgeon looked at him as doubt
fully as the steward had done, but he
seemed satisfied at last.
well. you might as well know the
woman has consumption. She may
last until we reach Liverpool, and she
may go before Sunday. She ought new
err to have been allowed PASSAGE"
~ a tell how that u.s." said the
steward. II noticed the woman come
on with her baby. She looked as
bright and pretty as any one. Seemed
strong and sat u on deck until we
left the dock. Then she came down
here and went to pieces. I've known
one or two such cases before"
That's true" said the surgeon
gravely. "Ill be back before mid
night. 1t will do no harm for you to
see her" He spoke to Kirk and went
away, leaving him standing somewhat
%awkwardly by the half open door.
The woman called in a faint voice,
and Kirk went in.
Are you the clergyman" she asked.
"Yes," replied Kirk simply. Can
be Of service to you? Do you want
me to pray with your
The woman nodded. Kirk kneeled,
and the other woman who had been
acting as nurse bowed her head.
1t was the first time Malcom Kirk
had been called on to pray by the side
Of a dying person. the first service he
had ever paid to suffering and sorrow
ing humanity when he was asked to
take upon himself the burden and the
joy of comfort. His own life had been
free from physical weakness. His own
family had moved away and scattered
when he was a lad, and the death of
OOlu III ldllCl VI hOlICl WuSl NC
was q child had left no impression on
his early memory.
The situation. therefore, now impress
t ed him strongly. But the impression
!, was redeemed from painful egotism by
his intense longing to be of help to
!: this stranger When he had told his
! seminary ciassmate that he loved peo-
> pie. he had spoken one of the largest
! truths of his great hearted character
So his prayer went out to the God OF
. . all comfort. and it is very certain tina,
he touched the heart Of that human
8 hunger for divine compassion, FOL
. when he finished she thanked him
= with a sob, While the other woman
/; made no attempt to conceal the tears
that ran over her face. She looked a,
Kirk as he rose with increased re
spect. He said a few words simply
: but cheerfGlly. and then went out. Tht
q woman who had been nursing followed
him and closed the door a moment
Thank you for coming in. 1t die
her good. It's a sad case"
Yes. Has she any relatives O.
friends on board!'
mo. AS neal as l have learned sh'
has a sister in London. This siste
has been writing her for some time t
come here. This woman's husban,
died a few weeks ago. Since then sh
has been supporting herself in Bostol
by sewing. Her baby is 6 months ole
She sold a few things, and, with til
help of her sister, who sent her a littl
money, she bought u ticket and with
. great effort reached the dock this aft
ernoon. The ships company did no
know Of her condition or they ~certainl,
would never have let her come O
board. That is all l know of the case
or course we will do all we can for he
and the baby now. The sea air may b
Il help to her after all"
The woman who spoke was onl
a what some people call q common
person. Kirk could see hat. Yet sh
n was one of the great army of quiet, III
i selfish women who give the world tru
definitions of the term motherhood"
IS She stepped to the door of her ow
- ! room, which was close by, and beckol
= ed Kirk to look i'll and see the baby.
He was sleeping in the upper bertl
and Kirk looked at him gravely, wol
90 dering what sort of future awaite
l. that bit of humanity. The woma
shut the door gently and Went back I
the mother, while Kirk retired to b
20 own narrow quarters, and in spite
= the strange noises and the sights {
= the ocean through the little round POI
~ he was soon fast asleep after a prayt
" for blessing Oh all who suffer and a
n who are in trouble.
=. The next day the woman sank RAJ
idly. Every one in the intermedia'
m cabin wanted to do something. The
g was Nc lack of care for the baby. e
cry woman wanted to help. Saturda
y. the mother sank yet more rapidly, b,
q. rallied, as is often the case. and whe
he the passengers gathered for a lit
IS. service which Kirk was asked to lie:
lis she wanted her door left pen so tn
she could see and hear the singh