The San Francisco call., 1909-04-25

THEN 1 came back 20 the CLUB, toward
IA 1 the end of August, from three months
NM out of town case, / found it practically
deserted This Is the slack season. the
majority of people who afford to
employ being away, and at this
tine of year, when finds herself at liberty,
she seldom sits down and waits for a case, but
takes herself off for real holiday, that she may
be refreshed for the annual typhoid crop which
returning travellers bring home with them about
the middle of September. But / had had easy
summer and l saving up for trip to Europe
in the spring, So though the registrar assured
there had not been call in week, wrote my
name the slate, rather enjoying the unique dis
tinction Of being first and last on the list.
For day two 1 puttered around, putting my
wardrobe in order writing letters and luxuriating
in going to bed early and getting up ate-in short,
doing exactly I pleased, which may be selfish,
but is also restful One afternoon, coming in from
a peaceful stroll in the park l met at the door
by the registrar, who informed me that the Jones
maternity hospital had just telephoned for a nurse
report there at once for special duty
you didn't say I'd go, did your" l asked her in
dsmay. Il don't like hospital specializing; besides
you know I abominate Obstetrics"
Yes, Miss Hardie, I know that, but this comes
under the head OF emergency You know the
maternity viii employ only registered nurses for
Its private patients, and it that you're about
the only call anywhere. The patient has
just been admitted, and they're in great hurry
for you"
Bother cried, but wasted no more time in
talking up TO my room for my vase and was
down again before She had time to erase my name
from the slate
As I rode down town Il felt anything but cheer
ful had not been inside the maternity since my
training in that branch of nursing Il was good
training, and professionally do not regret it. but
IT robbed me OF my illusions had seen much suf-
fering and sorrow, but that had but soitened me
and enlarged my sympathies AT the maternity
came face face with sn-sometmcs ashamed
and that could understand and condone, but more
often Haunting. and that sickened and turned me
Ii ] could I would restrict the patients of ali
maternity hospitals the respectable poor or to
those mfortuhates who, falling once may in their
lapse from virtue, find both their undoing and their
making Never. never, should an unmarried
womans name be allowed OH its books second
umcl Cared for at the expense of the city, which
also stands ready to take their unwanted children
of their hands, premium is thus set upon vice
stffen now at the mere recollection Of it, as
did once, when | heard one Of these patients
say another: Hello Miss Smith seen you
here last year. didn't =: the beautiful mystery
OF motherhood degraded into al ugly thing
by the repusive leer with which the other responded
laughing ooarsely: Sure And | guess we'll meet
here on the old campin ground next spring.
would have prolonged my ride if could have con
scientously, but within quarter of an hour l
left the car and presently passed from the noise
and glare OF the hot street into the quiet and
shaded white marble GOODNESS OF the hospital
where the superintendent OF nurses received me
with cordialty.
"Ah, Miss Hardiel l am glad to see you There's
sweet little patient for you in room No 32-
Mrs Todd Her husband is with her. but they are
expecting you, go right up. You know the way
to the dressing room"
Having put on my uniform, l reported to the
nurse in charge OF the floor, and was by her con-
Quoted 70 room No 81. Mr. Todd answered nv
knock and upon my being introduced he stepped
OK into the hall for moment to talk to me- We
exchanged few commonpaces until the floor
nurse was out ,1f earshot, and then Mr. Todd who
was aware, had been mentally taking my meas
ure, held out his hand to me as one man might
to another AS / took it there was an understand
ing in our grip silent compact
She IS very young" he faltered 4 am nearly
twice her age
Her youth will help her l answered
Thank you You give me bopew
de opened the door for me, and preceded him
INTO the room Pacing up and down its length
with short restless STEP was fair Young pirl who
might have sat for portrait of Una She appar-
emily did not notice until her husband said in
gentle reminder:
Dear Elsie, here is your nursc-Miss Hardic has
tomew
Then she paused in her walk and looked around
with startled air, like deer surprised in its forest
retreat by sudden approach. l up to her. and
because she young, untried, / could not
greet her formally. A caress seemed more fitting
and SO, instinctvey my slipped around her pro-
sectingly, and though first there was furried
movement as of flight the next instant her head
was my shoulder and ] soothing her as
though she were baby. She was trembling, and
] did not wonder Her supIeiac test was at hand
and her preparation for it in the school of life was
all too scant-she barely out OF the ldudergar-