Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-10-27
BaIn, Of
A thousand
F1osUerS
By WILLIAM II. Osborn
2 Copyright, 1903, by 7. c. Mcclure
sscsosesososeosososososo'

Dear me!' exclaimed little Mrs. Rip
ley 10 her husband. the doctor. MARI
op's whooping cough is just dreadful.
and here we've shipped of all your
drugs. l don't know what we'll do.
Can't you so out and get some en-
brocution or some carbocene? The
poor child really needs it."
Young DR.. Ripley was busy mailing
some bulky wooden packages together.
He stopped suddenly and sucked fin
ger which he had macerated with the
hammer. Then he shook his head.
Nance" he replied, 81 don't see how
we can. I've got just exactly enough
to pay our fares down to Longwood,
our new town, and the medicines cost
| money even to doctor. She'll have to
stand it the best she can for the pres.
ent."
There was wild commotion in the
back room, and the young mother
sprang to the rescue. In five minutes
she returned with the child. "1ts just
dreadful Howard" she repeated.
Howard stopped again and glanced
at the little girl with professional
air. 81 don't know, Nance" he re-
turned, "but that can do something
for her after all. I've got little spare
change. I'll go down to the grocer's
and come right back"
When he returned, he went down
stairs, and, with the aid of a saucer
and a discarded spoon, he mixed some
mysterious ingredients together.
Here, now," he exclaimed, appear
ing on the landing, "you rub her on the
outside with this and give her some In
ternally too. 1t may do some good"
The mother and the child retired to
the back room. Dr. Ripley waited. FL
nally they came out.
"More," pleaded the youngster. II
want some more. 1t tastes like sugar"
The next day they had installed
themselves In their new but dingy lit
tie home in an obscure street in Long
wood. The young physician at once
hung out his sign and then started to
put things to rights.
"Do YOU know, Howard" said Mrs.
Ripley, 81 believe that stuff you made
for Marion really did her some good
after all? What was 1t? She hasn't
been nearly so bad as she was"
DIR. Ripley. Strengthened up. LET me
take a look at her. 1 haven't had time
to notice her much, I've been so busy
The youngster was produced. The
young physician looked at her crit
ically.
"She does seem better" he admitted;
"she certainly does"
"And what did you give herT' In
quired his young wife.
DR.. Ripley leaned his head on his
hand and thought. He had a sudden
idea. He gazed not at his wife. but
beyond her. He was looking into the
future. His wife joggled his elbow.
"What was it?" she repeated.
ooh" he returned, 'that stuff! Why,
that was-yes, that was the-the Balm
of a Thousand Flowers; that's all. And
it's a good thing after all"
Balm Of Thousand Flowers!' ex-
claimed Mrs. Ripley. II never heard
of it!'
"Neither did l." returned the doctor,
until now. But that's what 1t was,
nevertheless. And it's a good thing,
he added half to himself, "and I'll try
1t on
The next day he secured the printers
offices and finally got one to extend
him credit, and night or two later he
was mysteriously absent from bis
| home.
The day after the town, small as 1t
| was, fairly blossomed with large but
neat placards which read as follows: