The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-01-26

He must bring the doctor and bring him
quickly.
He flew to the stable not looking to
the right or the left. The mare whinned
as he opened the door to get the bri-
die.
ITS me Bessie! Mama's sick! We
must go for the doctor quick"
The mare thrust her head obedently
down to the childs short arm for the bril-
die. She seemed to know by some in
stinct his quivering voice had reused
that the home was in distress and her
hour had come to bear a part.
In moment he led her out through the
gate. climbed on the fence, and sprang on
her back.
Nov, Bess, fly for me-" he half whis-
pered half cried through the tears he
could no longer keep back. The mare
bounded forward in a swift gallop as she
felt his trembling bare legs clasp her
side. and the clatter of her hoofs echoed
in the boys ears through the silent
streets like the thunder of charging cav
airy. How still the night! He saw
shadows under the trees, shut his eyes
and leaning low on the mares neck pat
ted her shoulders with his hands and
cried,
Faster, Bessie! Faster!" And then he
tried to pray. Lord don't let her die!
Please dear God, and | will always be
good. | am sorry l robbed the birds
nests last summer--I'll never do it again
Please. Lord I'm such wee boy and
I'm so lonely. l can't lose my mama'-
and the voice choked and became great
sob. He looked across the square as he
passed the court house in gallop and
saw light in the window of the parson-
age and felt it's rays warm his soul like
an answer to his prayer.
Arrived at the doctors house, he
seized stone and struck the door with
a violence that brought the physician to
the window with the startled inquiry:
"Who is there?"
ITS me. Charlie Gaston-My Mama's
sick-shcs awful sick, I'm afraid she's
dying-you must come quick"
"All right, sonny, I'll be ready in a
minute
When the boy saw the doctors horse
jogging quickly toward his home he turn
cd the mares head aside as he reached
the court house square, reused the
Preacher, and between his sobs told the
story of his mothers illness.
Il want you and DR.. Durham to come as
quick as you can, I'm afraid to go home.
I'm afraid she's dead, or I'll hear her
laugh that awful way heard tonight.
"Of course we will come, dear, right
away We will be there Almost as soon
as you can get to the house"
He rode slowly along the silent street
looking back now ana then for the
Preacher and his wife. AS he was pass
ing a small deserted house he saw to
his horror ragged man peering into
the open window. Before he had time to
run, the man stepped quickly up to the
mare and said,
who lived here last little MANI"
"Old Miss Spurlin," answered the boy.
Where is she now?"
She's dead"
The man sighed, and the boy saw by
his gray uniform that he was soldier
just back from the war, and he quickly
added.
Folks said they had a hard time, but
Preacher Durham helped them lots when
they had nothing to eat"
$50 my poor old mothers dead. l
was afraid of it," He seemed to be talk
ing to himself. And do you know where
her gal is that lived with herr"
She's in little house down in the
woods below town. They say she's bad
woman, and my Mamma would never let
me go near her"
The man finched as though struck with
knife. steadied himself for a moment
with his hands on the mares neck and
said.
You're a brave little one to be out
alone this time o'night,-what's your
Nance"
Charles CASTOR"
"Then you're my Colonels boy--many
a time | followed him where men were
falln' like leaves-I wish to God | was
with him now in the ground. Don't tell
anybody you saw me,-them that knowcd
me will think I'm dead, and it's better
So"
Good bye, SIR" said the child I'm
sorry for you If you've got no home. I'm
after the doctor for my Mama, she's
very sick. I'm afraid she's going to die.
and If you ever pray wish you'd pray
for her"
The soldier came closer 81 wish /
knew how to pray, my boy. But it seemed
to me l forgot every thing that was good
in the war and there's nothin' left but
death and hell But I'll not forget you.
good bye!"
When Charlie was in bed, he lay an
hour with wide staring eyes, holding his
breath now and then to catch the faint
est sound from his mothers room. All
was quiet at last and he fell asleep. But
he was no longer q child. The shadow
of a great sorrow had enveloped his
soul and clothed him with the dignity
and fellowship of the mystery of pain
Continued in next Sundays News and
Observer