Elmore County Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1910-1915, 1911-01-21

Story of A Friend in Need.


son was seized with a violent
chill, and vomiting. Katie hur-
ried her home, and speedily had
her in bed, losing no time and
making strenuous efforts to get
her patient warm; but seemingly
to no purpose, though she work
ed faithfully far into the night.
Near morning she fell asleep,
seemingly somewhat improved.
In the meantime Bill had told ka
tie all that the doctor had said,
adding, II want you to stay here
to care for her, and I'll pay all
you ask. F."
"Bill Towers, woman never
knows when she'l need help
I ing hand herself; and sure |
wouldn't be the mean creature TO
take single cent. Ii you can
afford to keep her and pay the
doctor and such, can give a
little nursing" was the warm
hearted response.
eyer a good girl, Katie, and |
always knowed it," was the ear
nest reply, as he FASTENED off for
the doctor.
During Bills absence, Katie
did everything in her power to
help the sufferer; who seemed to
have a presentiment that she was
not going to get well. The doc
tor was unable to come, SO ne
sent some medicine that seemed
to help for the time.
Suddenly the sick woman a
reused and called Bill to her bed
side. Taking hold of his hand
and looking into his face, she
said, "You have been good
friend to myself and children, for
which God will reward you; |
cannot. | have ONE request to
make of you. Will you take care
of my poor baby boy when | am
gomez"
Leaning forward, her eyes mu-
tely expressing the anxiety Of her
heart, she awaited his reply. She
did not have to wait long.
In a voice husky with suppress
Lsed emotion, Bill managed to say,
"Ez long ez | have arms to work,
he IL never want; | promise that.
A faint "Thank Cod escaped
her lips, and she sank back on
her pillow, peaceful smile light
ing up her face.
When the doctor arrived in the
evening, he looked at her and
said, "All that we can do is to
make her as comfortable as pos
sible; there is not a particle Of
hope for her recovery. In
short time he left, bidding them
call him if anything happened.
In the evening Mrs. Ryan came
to help her daughter, and to give
her chance to rest; of which
she gladly awaited herself.
The sick woman fingered on
for five days, giving very little
trouble, and but little sign of life
and then passed away before any
one was aware of it; being liber-
ated without a struggle. She
was laid beside little Joe, Bill
saying as they lowered her into
the ground, "She's left one ba-
by to go to the other"
Mrs. Ryan offered to keep the
baby for a while, until some 9th
er arrangement was made for his
bringing up. To this Bill read
lily assented, especially, as he
said." man is kinder orkard all
alone about these things"
About week after the funeral
Bill pulled up at Mrs. Ryan's
on his way to the springs. After
hitching his team, he walked in
to the house calling for Katie.
She replied from upstairs that
as her mother was out she had
some extra work to do ut would
be down in a minute.
Bill took possession CT a large
rocker and made himself at home
pending the appearance of Katie.
He did not have to wait long for
before he could collect his
thoughts, she stood in the door
way smiling like sunbeam.
Bill sprang to meet her, not
at all disconnected by the sudden
appearance of the lady; he had
come on important business, and
felt that there was no time like
tie present to transact it.
After both lad taken seats,