The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1908-07-24

Now I'm going back for the things
Wait, Joseph" said the lady. Don
forget that this is to be handled by yo
and me- II he has the disease that w
iear-I can't tell yet-we must be very
very careful. ! will put up sign tina
will keep curious people away, and yol
must do your best to prevent the dlseas'
from spreading"
Il understand" said Joseph, grufiiy
II don't think you're doing right in-lr
starting this hospital, but that's YOU
lookout. Back in half an hour
When the shadows heightened and the
soft night wind rose Hamlin's hospita
was in very fair running order. The home
of the Widow Hamlin was less than a
half mile away, and Joseph had kept
himself busy going and coming.
IN watch with the poor boy tonight,
Joseph" said the lady.
I'm something OF a hospital nurse,
myself, ma am" said the old man in a
tone OF rebuke. AT least was four-and-
forty years ago
I'VE will share this responsibility, Jo-
| seph," said the lady. ~ on are tired. Go
home and get what rest you can, and come
to me early in the morning. Good night
Good night, superintendent" said the
old man as he touched his hat and turned
away.
When the old man appeared the next
morning the lady met him at the opening
to the field.
Good morning, Joseph" she said. I'VE
had a fairly good highland I'm quite
sure now that it isn't the disease we
feared There will be no sign on the tent,
but the hospital will continue its good
work just the same
The old man grimly nodded.
just as you say, superintendent, was
all he said. :,
Ten days later the sick man came out
of his fever and back to earth.
You're still here" he murmured to
the lady. why should you do this?"
You needed me, was the smiling re-
But I'm worthless" he told her; "a
vagabond; a prohigate. I've disgraced
my father and shamed all who cared for
me. Doesn't that make difference?
No" she softly answered. 1T makes
no difference"
There were tears in his eyes. He was
very weak.
Il can't understand it," he murmured
You do all this for me, and !, who have
had every chance, have never done really
good thing in all my lfe." He was silent
for moment. Il think I'd like to be
helpful to some one. Do-do you think
l CAM"
His moist eyes looked up at her visit
fully. !.
Yes" she gravely answered. "You
can begin by being helpful to yourself"
He waited a moment.
Will you help me?"
yes"
The lady took the wasted hand in hers |
and softly pressed it.
ITS compact" the sick man muir
mured.
1t was the convalescent who thought of |
making the Hamlin hospital continuously
useful. 1t was hot July in the town in
the valley below, cruelty hot July that
caused much sickness-more particularly
among the factory folk.
why can't we have some of those suf-
fering babies up here on the plateau" he
said to, the lady. They're. suffocating
down there. Here's fresh air and good
water and cool nights Bring them up, and
I'll take charge Of things"
That was the beginning of the second
nstallment of good work at Hamlin Hos
oital. The tent had been enlarged, other
.ents were added, there were scores of
ooked after every detail and laughed at
atigue. Alert, quick, sympathetic, day and
hight were alike to him.
I'm very proud of you, john" said the
ady.
He flushed and smiled.
You're the first one to say so," he
aughed. "And I'd rather hear it from
'ou than anyone else" I
The lady put her hand on his arm.
But your father, John?'
His face clouded He turned and walked
way.
As the camp grew, its fame spread be- s
ond the county borders. Somebody told
metropolitan editor about this ife-saving =
tation on the knoll above the factory town,
nd the editor sent clever young man