The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1906-07-11

oI d PrlInltlVe type-hav1ng two rooms separated
yet connected by an open passage, from which a
narrow stairway led to an attic above | entered
one OF these apartments, which was evidently the
chief bedroom OF the family. Two double beds
stood III the corners nearest the door, an open
fireplace faced it, a chest of drawers stood in
the corner on side and low single bed oc-
cupied the other A table near window,
a few hard chairs and strip of rag carpet COM
pleted the furnishings of the ROOM Everything
spoke OF the painest, simplest and severest life.
A young girl of seventeen years lay the sin
gle bed. Her exceedingly bright eyes, pale face
and the glowing spot of brilliant red on each
cheek told Enthusiastically of the disease which
was consuming her life. She had the same regu-
lar features as her brother, but with greater fine
ness and delicacy, and keen observer would have
noted that the intellectual development was small
showing the deterioration, from higher type
which had accompanied generations of pioneers
A CLEAN of intelligent recognition came into
her eyes, and faint smile played about her lips
as she saw me enter. recognized her a girl
whom [ had seen in mission where my church
conducted a Sunday-school and where | occa-
sonally preached She had attracted my notice
by her earnest attention to my words, and | had
sometimes spoken to her personally.
The father, tall man, with fairly regular fea-
lures and broad shoulders, but with a stoop and
loose shutting gait, which told of lack of energy
and weakness of will, entered the room and
stood by the fireplace, in which few live Goals
glowed, glad to me, but scarcely knowing
with faded hair and face, whose countenancc bore
traces of some early beauty and told, even yet of
native talent which poverty had left uncult-
waited, and which hard toll had dwarfed-came in
and sat by the low bed.
''Siss is purity SICK said the father "She
hant slept much the las two or three nights for
coughing, and she feels bad. We look to see her
better fore long but she wanted TO see you, Doc
tor, an we lowed you'd come, though we're
mighty sorry to trouble you.
the before, and 1 knew that he would feel
much more at ease if l called him by his Christian
name.
Were much obgd, Doctor an if you can say
suthn to comfort the gal we'll be mighty glad"
| thought of the sick whom usually visited lying
in large, airy chambers, attended by skilled ply
sc1ans and trained nurses, and comforted by the
remembrances of many friends then | looked at
this poor girl lying on her low hard bed in this
overcrowded bedroom, attended only by these
wel-meaning but ignorant parents and cared for
only by their incompetent and awkward hands,
and my heart went out in pity to her of whom
God seemed-seemed, [ say-forgetfu, nature
unkind and men Indifferent / thought as look
ed at her, of that large class, like her, who have
little of those things which make life full rich
and joyous who pass their childhood in want,
their youth in premature toll and their maturity,
if they live in poverty and often in pain, and as
| thought of these things thought-not knowing
the lesson | soon to earn-that it seemed
seemed, | say-as though the good things in life
not to say the best-had been very unequally-
not to say unjustly- distributed by the Creator.
My meditations interrupted and broken by
the voice of the girl
81 amt afraid to die, Doctor I amt afraid
But I'm sorry to leave the Others and mother
needs me much, and I just beginning to
be able to help her"
Poor girl, she had already taken on her heart
the burdens of life and her controlling desire was
to tighten the burden of her mother and to help
the others of her family.
Il am very, very sorry for YOU" | said "You
have had hard life, you are sick and | am sorry
To