The Dupuyer acantha. [volume] (Dupuyer, Mont.) 1894-1904, 1901-09-26
spending q few years in a good med

lC&l COllSS6s
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 Ga
penses, and new things to be purchased
for her comfort. The college was 8
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 go.
For the present he was young and
could wait, he would not urge matters;
the grandmother had suffered, ali! how
she had suffered! Few women were
called upon to sacrifice husband, son
and brother in n 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
a lifetime did it become the tidal wave
of death which had desolated the
grandmother's life. Pierre had been
only a 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
uTdW u6T ClUSS W I'LL dAu plOllLoO
never to leave without her consent.
The old physician had been a 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 were cases of fever
just brought in, and it might not be
safe. So Pierre waited, and a few Gays
multiplied the cases to twenty; n
then a few more days, and the city was
hushed in the apprehension of a great
terror. Business ceased, and those who
were able fled 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
for the temporary use of patielts, and
then the whole city became a hospital.
Pierre had been working day and
night at the drug store, but that was
not enough He had a fair knowledge
of medicine, and there was a woeful
lack of help. An appeal had been made
to the country at large, but it would
take time for volunteers to arrive, and
just now every moment was precious.
He left the drug store and went home.
Thank God that you are come
Pierre" said the grandmother, fer
vently, as he entered; Il have been
counting our money, and we have
twelve dollars. 1t will take us back
among the hills. We can get along
some way, mon cher, and at least you
will be safe"
But Pierre threw back his head ant
looked at her silently; and the grand
mother after one swift, agonizeC
glance at his set face, fell back int
her chair with a low cry.
ST feared it would be so, my little
one! my poor little one!" she moaned
"The good God has dealt hardly witt
me, and l hoped that he would let thi!
pass. No, no." as Pierre was about tt
speak, ST know what you would say
There are hundreds dying, and no ont
to minister to them. You would Civ
your life. All, my God! I know it il
right! I have been through it before
and gave all / had. But it was hard
my little Pierre. I am an old womal
now, and not as strong Is 1 was whel
your father and grandfather, and you
two boy uncles, came and looked at m
as you do now Not n of then
came back to me, little Pierre-no
one!" She rocked to and fro, an
obeying a sudden impulse, Pierr
sprang to her side and threw his arr
across her shoulders.
mo, no." he whispered, tenderly, +"
= will never leave you. We will go bac
@ among the hills"
# The grandmother shivered as thong
1t from a blow, and as she rose slowl
from her chair, there came to her fac
l. the same strong, resolute expressio
which Pierre remembered to have see
ID far back in his childhood.
l. SIT is right that you should 3,
i Pierre" she said, softly. 81 knew, b,
I was weak. May the good God ove1
look our frailties. Yes" in answer I
"a his look, ''you may go now. They nee
ID you more than I. But hold me clos
le
or