Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1901-09-05
Days Of Suspense.
BY FRANK n. SWEET.

Copyright. 1901, by Daily Story Pub. Coz
At fourteen Pierre was already
dreaming and planning for his future
He would be a physician and surgeon.
like his father, and he would own cot
ton and sugar plantations and be good
to everybody, just as his father had
been. Only he did not say much OF
this to his grandmother. One day
when he had mentioned it, she had
caught him to her with a wild, PCS
sionate Now, now, my Pierre! My it
tie one! Do not forget your father!
You are all that | have left, little
Pierre, my baby! You must never
leave me. Surely the good God cannot
ask more!"
Since then, Pierre had kept his am
billion to himself He helped provide
the necessities for the house, and
bought little luxuries for his grand
mother, and even after these expendi-
lures, was able to save occasional pen
MES from his papers and errands and
chores to purchase books on the science
he loved. AS he grew older. he longed
FOR an opportunity to go away to the
D IdlQeT
had done. He worked harder, and be-
gan to store up dollars instead OF pen
MES. only, as his hoard increased, he
would discover that his grandmother's
clothing was getting shabby, or that
there was some expensive food or cor
dial in the market that would please
her; and then his money would melt
away. But 1t did not matter. he would
tell himself consolingly, la grand mere
was getting old and needed these
things; there was plenty of time.
so he saved more money, and spent
1t for the grandmother; and boarded
again, and again lavished it on the
grandmother. But all the time he was
working and studying and thinking. lie
bought books when he could, and Dor
rOwed books and pamphlets from the
free library, and from an old physician
who was becoming interested in him.
And this same old physician took him
to the hospital and explained cases;
and occasionally even allowed him to
assist in the work. At eighteen, Pierre
had general knowledge of hospital
practice, and his unframed course Of
reading had been shaped and made use
ful by the advice and companionship
of the old physician. But there was
much yet for him to learn, and more
and more he realized the necessity of
spending few years in a good med
ical college.
He was earning steady wages now as
clerk In a drug store, but the grand
mother was getting more feeble. and
every day there were household ca
penses and new things to be purchased
for her comfort The college was q
long way off, but 1t would come, he
told himself confidently. Some day
the grandmother would see the future
as he did. and then her strong. true
self would be the first to bid him CO.
For the present he was young and
could wait. he would not urge matters;
the grandmother had suffered, ah! how
she had suffered! Few women were
called upon to sacrifice husband, sons
and brother in one short week. No,
no. he would not urge matters. Every
year there were rumors OF yellow fever
in the city, but only once or twice in
lifetime did 1t become the tidal wave
OF death which had desolated the
grandmother life. Pierre had been
only child then, but each year it was
brought home TO him by the mute ter
ror which the rumors brought into the
dear old eyes. At such times he would
draw her close to him and promise
never to leave without her consent
The old physician had been class
mate of his fathers. and had always
treated the grandmother with tender
Difference and sympathy, One day he
met Pierre on the street and told him
that he must not go to the hospital
any more; there We're cases of FOYER
just brought in, and it might not he
safe. So Pierre waited. and few GAYS
multiplied the cases to twenty; and
then few more days, and the city was
hushed in the apprehension of a great
terror. Business ceased and those who
were able fed to the hills, to the north.
out to sea, anywhere to get away from
the plague. The hospital was soon
full, and there were not enough physi-
clans and nurses to look after them
then new buildings were levied upon