The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-04
The Lost Prescription.


Miss Sophia Drew had risen at five, as
was customary with her ON a Monday, and
had plodded through her usual weekly
washing.
She had restrained her feelings with an
iron hand until the two collars and one
pair of cuffs which were her weekly, al
lowanee. had been duly clearstarched and
rolled UP in a towel for tomorrow's iron
ing.
And now" she said. pausing on her
way upstairs TO take a look around her
tiny parlor, Il don't mind owning. just
TO myself, that / feels terrible middling."
Her eyes rested longingly on the solita-
~ easychair. which for more than thirty
years had shiyered under its narrow strip
Of crocheted antimacassar. and stretched
out lean arms toward the cold hearth.
Maybe a bit of fire would take away
the musty SMELL" said Miss Sophia, sniff
fling here and there about the room; but
dear, dear who ever heard tell of fire
in the parlor and October not half out,''
Nevertheless before the autumn day
had darkened half dozen sportive flames
leaped up the narrow chimney, and Miss
Drew, with shawl drawn closely about
her shoulders, leaned back in the easy
chair and resigned herself.
For thirty years" she soliloquized,
I've lived in this village, always aiming
to be burning light in the midst of dark
ness. I've visited them as was under the
rod, and warned them OF judgment TO
come, and now if I'm to be chastised my
self, / must look for the cause"
She INDUCED in no useless longing for
H.. f,Nl-
the night darkened about her, a vague
sense of duty stirred within her and she
reached down the rosewood tea caddy from
the mantelpiece, and searched diligently
among its varied contents.
This she said presently as she drew
forth slip OF papelr carefully preserved
since the days when she had been house
keeper for old Squire Powley. will do me
more good than all the new-fangled medi-
cines put together, if only that giggling
young doctor. whose face | can't bear
has the gumption TO mix it right. I'll watch
for William larry. anyway, and get him to
go for il before bedtime"
Ii was not long before a remarkably
heavy footstep announced williams APP
proach. and Miss Sophia attracted his at
tention by sharp rapping at her window
William was tall and angular, his uncouth
features were singularly devoid of
preston. and his slowness of speech and
movement was proverbial in the village,
where however. he commanded a certain
amount Of respect as having been the
doctors man" ever since young Gilbert
Lyall came home from college and the
hospitals and set up for himself.
I've never trusted anybody but old
Robinson Of Winterby TO make up this
prescription" said Miss Sophia. as she SOL
EMMY handed out an unsealed envelope,
but if your master can do 1t should be
glad OF il tonight
I've never knowed him beat, returned
William with a wide grin.
Tell him." said Miss Sophia. that
Squire Powley paid three guineas for that
prescription. And make il plain that he
isn't TO call. ] don't want bills running
up for nothing"
William thrust the envelope into a ca
pacious pocket. and Miss Sophia. already
suspicious Of his reliability, retreated TO
her parlor and watched until the usual
rudy CLEAN issued from his doorway. and
q trio of youngsters seized him by the
legs.
"Sutfy Drew's bad" he observed laconi-
caIly TO his wife She's give me a three
guinea prescription 10 get made up
Lets see IL. said Emma, suddenly in
terested.
William. as in duty bound, produced the
envelope, and Emma drew forth the paper
and scanned II obviously
It's all wrote foreign" she said. Il
can't make a word out
Let me see IL. mother; oh do" cried
Lottie. the eldest girl; and the slip OF
paper went the round OF the small. eager
eyed family, while the elders discussed
Miss Sophia.
''our Lottie." said Emma presently. you
set down that paper this minute, and run
to the back door with this saucepan
What's the good wasting time over that?''
.rstis abeyed. alas. too literally. She