Elmore County Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1910-1915, 1911-01-14

: Story of A Friend in Need.


| "SNHoy VI VIC Cast, He COIQ Dill
to go and hitch up the team and
he would be ready on time. 1t
did not take Bill long to get the
things in motion, but when he
drove around to the door, the
doctor was putting on his fur
overcoat. Jumping into the wag-
on he seized the lines and the
ponies started off briskly on the
Canyon road.
The silence was broken but
once by Bill, who out of the
depth of his great heart, sighed
aloud, kids purity bad off, doc,
poor little fellow" 1t was mid
night when they reached the shan
ty; the wind had gone down, and
the moon was shining clearly, as
if DESTROYS of rendering all the
assistance possible.
The doctor ran in, leaving Bill
to attend to the team. He found
the mother anxiously awaiting
his arrival. She instantly took
him by the arm, saying "I'm so
glad you've come; / was afraid
that the bad roads might pre-
vent your getting through with
team; but thank God! you are
here"
The doctor smiled and replied
cheerily, WED get through
somehow. Where is the sick
boyY"
By this time his overcoat was
off, and the anxious mother led
him into the little room occupied
by herself and children. Sitting
down on the side of the bed, he
took hold of Joe's wrist, at the
same time taking out his watch,
pulse a little off," he remarked
Then placing his hand on the
little curly head, muttered to him
self, Quite a high fever" Co.
ing into the kitchen he asked for
somewater; this being provided,
he prepared some medicine, d.
recting that it should be given
every hour.
At this moment Bill came in
stating that he had put the team
in the barn, and that the doctor
must stay all night, to this ar
rangement he readily aequiesced,
saying 81 must be off in good
time" He arose quite early and
went to the sick room; he imme-
diately took Joe's temperature,
scrutinizing the thermometer, his
face assumed very serious ex-
preston, but he did not say any
thing at the time.
Meantime, Mrs. Thompson had
prepared breakfast, to which Bill
and the doctor sat down together
the mother preferring to remain
with her boy. After she had gon
into the room, the doctor said,
Bill the little fellow is very low,
almost beyond human help, he
has not the strength to stand
such an ordeal; we must prepare
for the worst. ="
This news brought a choking |
sensation into Bill s throat, and a
stifled groan was his only reply.
" Are they related to you in any
wayY" queried the doctor.
"No, only they needed a friend
and | helped them," was all that
Bill could utter just then. Little
Joe had entwined himself around
the rough miners heart, SO that
the thought of losing him was a
sore trial.
Immediately after breakfast,
the doctor left, promising to come
again at night. During the day
little Joe grew much worse, with
no sign of any abatement in the
fever. While the distress of the
mother almost unnerved
Bill.
It was almost nine o'clock when
the doctor arrived; and as soon
as he looked at his patient, he
saw clearly that the end was
near. The mother, as sh anxious
ly scanned the Doctors lace, saw
the awful truth depicted in its
every lincament; then giving way
to her despair in a most heart
rending fashion, implored them
TO save her darling.
Shotly after ten o'clock the
change came, and in a few short
moments little Joe was on hap
pier shore. The doctor left at
once, saying as he went out; IN
send the undertaken, and also
Mrs. Ryan and Katie"
About an hour later a wagon
drove up to the door and before