The Owyhee nugget. ([Silver City], Idaho) 1905-1984, 1910-08-04

Harold William stoddard was born
May 2l, 1900, and died at Silver City,
July 81, 1910, aged ten years two months
and ten days.
About four years ago he had a spell Of
typhoid fever which left bis system in
weakened condition, but he seemed to be
recovering from its effects until about
five months ago when he was obliged to
give up his studies at school on account
of sort of nervous disorder of some
kind. This manifested itself first in
rheumatic attack, then heart trouble and
then other weaknesses. 1t seemed that
no sooner would the doctor succeed in
toning up one organ than weakness
would develop in some other part of his
body. The last of May his heart became
SO badly affected that at the doctors ad
vice he was taken to Boise where it was
thought that the lower altitude would be
favorable to a more rapid recovery For
few weeks he seemed to improve but as
the warm weather became more and
more oppressive, he began to long for the
mountains and begged his mother who
never left his side with her tender care,
to be taken home. The doctor who. had
been treating him there consented to his
wishes, saying that his worry might be
worse for him than the high altitude.
When he left the train at Murphy, he
walked for short distance to show his
father, who had come with a team to
meet them, that he was getting better,
and when he started on the way for the
mountains he was happy and began to
sing at the thoughts of soon being home
again. Under the skillful care Of Dr.
Schuylerhe continued to improve for
time but his nervous system had received
too severe strain and few days ago it
was seen that he was losing his vitality
to respond to medical treatment.
Throughout his sickness he bore his snf-
fering bravely and to the inquiries of his
friends who called to ask about his health
he would always reply promptly and with
cheerful, hopeful accents that he was
feeling well and hoped to be out soon.
His bed was so situated that he could
look out on the street where his little
friends with shout and laughter were
running about in their play and although
the sight of them made him eager to join
with them again, yet he never mourned
over his misfortune nor complained over
his hard lot. Just as growing plant
that has been struck by an early blight
hastens on to rapid maturity, so he,
struck by the blight of an early death,
seemed to have suddenly reached the ma
ture thoughts of manhoad. There were
no childish tears nor peevish fretfulness,
for he saw that all was being done for
him that human hands could do. To-
ward the last, though, he expressed a
wish to his father that he might die and
be free from his sufferings, and asked his
mother and grandmother to pray to God
to take him.
"oh, Harold, his sorrowing father
exclaimed, ''try to be patient little lon
ger. We are doing all we can for you." I"
"well, papa, I've tried to be patient a
long time," he said with sigh of resig-
nation, but it's no use. I want God to
let me die -
Then as the father, mother, brother
and sister came near his side eager to do
something for him and sad at their help
lessness to be of further assistance, he
was more thoughtful Of their feelings than
of his own suffering and to relieve them
he asked little favor Of each one, sister
might get him drink and brother, father
and mother, too, were asked for some
little service. Don't cry and feel bad, "
he begged, "but all Of you be good Pm
snre everything will be all right with me. .