The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1904-07-30
A New Birth.

The experience winch mary EenlOn
bod gone through had left her bitter
toward the whole world, and especial
" toward that part Of 1t which is en-
roped in works Of charity. When her
Aono baby was three days old her hus-
hand was killed by the falling of a
staging. Her whole heart was from
tbat moment centered on the baby
hov and she worked all day long at
har washtub and her ironing table,
cheered by the sight Of his happy face
and plump limbs, as he played or slept
IN the single room, which she kept
snotlessly clean in his honor.
One day he fell i'll. With sinking
herrt she gave her consent to having
him carried to the hospital. The doc
for said that the steam from the wash
ing and the heat from the ironing fire
were dangerous for him. What could
ale do but let him go? But every
evening found her at the hospital, beg
dnc for news Of him. On the third
day there was binding snowstorm,
but Mary was at the door as usual at
seven o'clock, to be met by the terrible
news that her baby had just died.
She did not cry out or faint. She
said quietly, Let me see him" AL
most before the nurse and the young
doctor knew what she was doing, she
had snatched the little dead form in
her arms and was gone-out into the
bitter storm. She walked two miles
10 her desolate home-the cold in her
arms freezing her heart-and from
that day. now two years ago. she had
hated all those whom she had been
used to call good folks" Doctors,
muses., district visitors had been in
league to rob her Of her baby. She
hated them in silent misery.
One Saturday night she went to car
r. home Mrs Carriers fine laundry
work. The Carter house was one Of
the most beautiful in the city, and
Mary had long been employed to do up
the dainty laces. She went upstairs
with them, as usual. The pretty nurs-
cry was all confusion. Mrs. Carter
was kneeing beside the crib in hag-
gard misery, and her one baby was
gasping out its life in the last agony
Of membranOuS Group.
Nurses and doctors, wealth and pow
er, were helpless in the conflict. The
last moment came, the struggle was
over, and this mother in her turn was
left deS0idtp
n" one knew how It happened. but
In tLat terrible instant Mary Fenlon
found herself in charge of the stricken
mother All that night the two women
were together. Mary did not speak
many words, but she understood the
anguish Of the mothers heart rs no
one else could understand it. She
eom1orted and steadied the woman
VINO, IN spite Of all differences Of cdu-
cauon and position, was her sister in
the bonds of pain.
Meantime the laundress was herself
earning a great lesson. Loss was not
uerS alone. The laws Of the universe
were not crushing her only in their
'eSS'Iess grasp. The rich, by their
wealth. could no more command hap
pileSS than she in her poverty. At
0sn' or another's loss her bitterness
anu natred melted, and before MORN
~ she was praying to the God she
s"u lorgotten-praying that He would
W.. .U.si'e her selfish passion, so that by
sne grace Of forgiveness she might
uare pray for comfort for this other
suffering woman,
ho w. Out or service and sympathy was
S eVtn Tor Mary Fenlon a new heart
1t. 10 pity and to love. She never mix
tbo. ABOUT the spiritual experience of
h ma' ilght Indeed, she could scarcely
rnn e iouhd words for it, for she was
nn' uSeu 10 introspection, and still more
thoH seu to putting her innermost
ID u p into words. But to-day she
enu Tue one friend to be sent for by
nnt neienDor in trouble, and there is
q =" cnlld on the street who has not
a htttl n pace in the heart which, for
md .n year, was closed to all love
iOn '''ioii'-Aouth's Compan-
NnarAHtAr