New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1905-10-25
The Cup Of
w alter
By HoNORE WILLsIE
BY HoNoRE WILLsIE
Copyright, ICES, by Ruby Douglas

still. The little room was deadly close
with the air that smelled Of long sick
ness and Of the cooking Of bacon and
corn cake in the adjoining kitchen.
Outside, through the tightly closed
window, he could see shreds Of white
clouds scudding across the blue. For
days 1t had been matter of vital inl-
portance to him lest the green branches
that tossed SO continuously across the
lower sash catch and hold the wisps Of
white as the upper twigs scratched
against the blue but now, as he tossed
in the misery Of his fever, not even the
| scud of the clouds mattered He want
ed water-just drink, single half
cup, just drop on his swollen tongue.
Again and again he struggled to pull
himself from the bed. AT each whin-
| ing shrek Of the corded four poster
old Mrs. Frazee came to the door, corn
cob pipe in mouth, and tucked him
kindly but firmly back.
you sure can't have no water-not
till the fever breaks. It's the only way
to break up one Of these long runs"
| Esterly looked up into the kind old
| face with his fever sick eyes.
| Il know you are trying to be good to
a stranger, but if only you would send
for a doctor! And, for heavens sake,
just a little waterv
The old woman looked at Esterly
with all the horror in her face that the
suggestion of physician brings to a
backwoodsmau Laws" she said, Its
thirty miles to a doctor, and Well have
you all cured by the time one could
get here! You have nothing but a run
Of fever. Me and my old man are glad
to take care of you
! Again she tucked the coverings about
him. My" she said, "ain't you a fine
| big young fellow?'
| Esterly, like a child in his weakness
and semidelirium, lay quietly till the
old woman left the room. Then again
the scudding clouds caught his eye
He wondered weakly how many days
it had been since he had come into
| these Tennessee mountains to hunt
| Old Frazee had found him crazy with
|
woods cabin, a thousand miles from
anywhere, and with the insistent hos
pitality Of their kind the old man and
his wife were nursing him in their own
primeval way. And in all this time no
water; nothing but bowlfuls Of thoro-
and at mealtime corn cakes with more
thorowort tea.
| With difficulty he turned and looked
out the door into the kitchen. Old Mrs.
FraZee was tying on her sunbonnet.
After she had finished and relighted
her pipe she came in to Esterly's bed
side and looked down at him, leisurely'
putting the pipe as she felt his fore
head with hand hard and knotted as
a mans. Then, seeing that his eyes
seemed clear, she said:
1--WE got to go over to JACKSONVILLE to
meet my girl. She's been to school in
| Nashville for four years, and haven't
seen her in that time. But now she's
home for good I'll bring some more
this vert back. Your fever's worse
than ever. Remember, now, it's no use
for you to try to get the water Amt
any nearer n the spring. And remem-
Der If you do drink any it'll settle
you"
Then with motherly gesture she
smoothed the covers about his shout
ders and he heard her heavy boots
dumping out over the back stoop
Then again he went off into delirium
tossed and turned and called for wa,
ter. After awhile he was conscious
that the sunset was lighting up the
tops Of the trees and that the clouds
were no longer white fecks, but long
streamers Of purple and gold. He lis
tened intently. No sound came from
the kitchen. Mrs. Frazee had not yet
threw off the bedclothes and staggered
toward the kitchen door.
1.-THE spring." he thought, 1.-The spring
the spring. And then a black mist
enveloped him and he fell.
After a long time he felt himself lift
ed and put into bed. Then he heard q
woman's voice, young, soft voice
saying:
Poor fellow, poor fellow! Heavens
mother, what air! Open the window
father"
Then Mrs. Frazee's voice protested
mo, no, Rose; no drafts. He'll catcl
cold on top Of it ALL
Then there was the sound of win
dow opening, and with the sound be
opened his eyes, The candle was OF
the shelf, just as usual, but instead OF
burning straight upward, with long
yellow tame, it spluttered and flicker
ed in wave Of air that Esterly drew
into his lungs as though he never could
stop. He looked up. Bending over him
soft and dim in the uncertain light
was womans face, with the sweet
ness and elusiveness Of Madonna.
Water he gasped. The girl turned
quickly. Mother" she cried, you
surely have not been trying that worn.
out theory
The old woman drew up her gaunt
figure. Its the way I was brought
up. Every one on the mountain was
raised the same way"