The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1918-08-13
From the
Beginning
M
By LINCOLN RorHBLuM
copyright, 1913, by the Mcclure Newspa-
per Syndicatel


ing voice from the other room. And
zebiah lifted her angular form and
listlessly walked to the bed where lay
a frail, old woman.
What Is II, mother7" she asked
gently, though her voice had weary
note in 1t, ''aren't you comfortable?
1T jest seems as If can't get COM
Portable" was the querulous response.
IF face the window. the sun bothers
me; and If face the door, don't see
the sun; and If set up, my bones
ache" And the voice dwindled of la
a whining wall.
Zebiah did not answer. She lowered
the shade to cut off the bright glare of
the SUI. straigbtened the pillows, and,
drawing UP chair to the bed, picked
up book preparatory to reading.
Il don't want to be read to and you
ought to know it." the old lady mutter-
ed, her brow furrowing in a million
wrinkles, ''you don't pay no attention
to me at ALL though don't know as +
ought to be expectin' much more from
stepchild."
Zebiah seemed restrained from argu-
ing by the invalid's weakness. "Now,
mother" she softly replied, laying the
offending book on the table, "don't
work yourself up. You know Doctor
Mortified said you should not get ex:
cited-your heart won't stand It."
Mrs. Seagrave waved her shrunken
hands dramatically. There you 60
mentioning that doctor again to me-.
Amt told you how I hate him with
his vile tastin' medicines and pills that
stick in my throatT Her voice rose
to shrill accent. Anyhow, pears to
me he likes to come to see me-every
other day would be enough to take
keer of an old woman, to say nothing
of twice day like he's been hangin'
aroun'. suppose it's my money what
he's after as soon as I'm cold-running
up big bill like that" And the OUT
burst Of temper was followed by pro-
tracted racking cough, rendering the
body so weak and helpless It scarcely
seemed alive.
Zebiah petted the scant ashy-white
hair. II am sure Doctor Merrif1eld does
not want your money, mother" she
soothed, ''he hasn't taken penny yet
for all the medicines he has given you.
We all want to see you get WELL"
Her mlnfstrations were interrupted
by the entrance Of a quiet, earnest
looking man, whose bald head and
bowlegs seemed strangely at variance.
He smiled encouragingly at Zebiah
"How did she sleep last night, Miss
Seagrave?" he questioned in a low
Tone
II was up all night, doctor, as the
cough gave her. no rest. She is not
much better this morning."
AS the doctor turned with profess
sional interest toward the patient who
quietly from the room. It was the
mirror in the gilt frame, sole adorn-
ment of the bare walls Of this sitting
room" that claimed her attention. The
close inspection did not please her and
quick tears Of self-pity came to her
eyes. AS she stood off so that the
small mirror might reflect her figure,
the flat-chested, hipless, colorless re-
Election brought forth audible suffering.
sYes, I've given her my best years,
even If she isn't my mother. I'VE stood
her abuse and I've given up friends" y
The thoughts seemed too great for
utterance and Zebiah sank into the
cane-bott0m rocker which creaked
alphabetically, as she buried her head
in her arms, her shoulders shaking
with her sobbing. Doctor Merrifield en-
tered the room.
! Come, Miss Seagrave," he COM.
forted, patting her head, you mustn't
take such things so to heart. Your
mother has been i'll very long time
and you know she has been getting
steadily worse"
Zebiah rose and wiped her eyes in a
handkerchief already sadly wet. "Oh,
it's not that"
II know you have been very patient
and good" the doctor continued, and
he added In a hesitating manner II
hope you will be rewarded"
The pent-up gates of suppressed
emotion gave way. "What has my
goodness and patience brought me?
have become recluse-even the chill
dren can point out old maid Zebiah,'
our minister questions me what dispo-
sition will make of her money, and
but yesterday heard Widow Bliss re-
fer to someone as home1y as Zebiah.'
What reward can atone for all that z"
"You must not let such unkincness
weigh upon your mind. Miss Sea-
grave. We all have our crosses to
bear. Even my life has not been bed
of roses"
zebiah looked up at the kindly face
in surprise.
'.For great many years." he con-
tinued, not noticing the interruption,
Il turned over every cent earned as
a machinist to support my crippled
father and invalid mother and to put
my brother through school. longed
to study medicine but"
The memory seemed. too poignant a
pain to recall Zebiah's faded c0un-
tenance assumed a look of sympathetic
understanding "And for how long did
it last?"
when I was thirty-five," BIZ. spoke
very softly. father died, and mother
lived but month longer My brother
married and then / started to learn all
did not know. 1t is not easy to learn
at thirty-fve-nOt medicine, at any
rate-and it was ten years later before
got the right to hang out that sign
you see in front of my Office. And at
forty-five, new doctor does not easily
build up q practice in small town
indeed there were some nights when
| sent myself to bed supperless like a
naughty boy being punished for having
spoilt-his life," he added bitterly.
Zebiah forgot herself as she saw the
need for quick sympathy. "But look
how splendidly you have done, doctor,
in the five years you have been here
Surely that is encouraging"
SIT is If it were not counteracted by
hearing people speak of that old
batch" old baldy," and 'bowlegs,' and
wondering who'll he leave his money
to when he dies"
A faint call from the sick room in
terrupted their exchange of condolences
and both stood over the figure breath
ing so laboriously. The doctor felt the
pulse and looked very compassionately
! at the lined features.
"Guess I'm done for, Zebiah," came
in far-away voice, "and-and-don'i
let the Doc get my money. I'd ruther
I'D ruther-" A weak cough stop
ped her. In a moment she went on