Arizona republican., 1921-02-20
Bq EteIka Weiss, R. N. Public Health Nurse

The little colored woman and I stared at each other for almost full minute. Then ....
 sIt aint, 1t kaint be Miss Talcum! Is u?"-"Talcum'' was the nearest approach to my given name some folks were able to reach in little Southern city where I had been in charge of q hospital
 Tt isn't it can't be Matty."-but it was, and I laughingly held out my hand Well, well, And what are you doing so far away from home? And what do you mean by looking younger than you did eight years ago2'
 Matty was not to be outdone in po- liteness
 Laws, Miss Talcum you, too, is younger and better looking You IS married by now, ain't you?"
 No, Matty,'-I answered mourn fulIy,-"but I bet you are" Matty was on the verge of her third matrimonial venture when I left the hospital
 s'Yesm. Done been married twice sence I saw you. We come here for my last husbands health, but he ain't get ting no better so we're going home. "She spoke cheerfully. as if discussing la remote subject and not her husband Perhaps she already had her fifth one picked out; Matty was tickle. but with it all, one could not help liking her And she adored me, for two reasons, One because I used to read and write her love letters she being absolutely illiterate; the other. because l dressed her wound every night before going orr duty while she was in isolation, having developed smallpox few days after an operation for pus appendix. Matty had been one of the maids in the hos pita1 and a good maid too.
 That's too bad'-I said ignoring her cheerfulness-'Tll go and see your hus- band, maybe we can do something for him. What is the matter with him
 ''The doctor said back home it Is consumption. I aint never had doc tor for him here They can't do noth- ing. When a man is wasting away, that's the end of him. It's no use to bother him with doctors and things. Why Matty! Aren't you ashamed to talk this way? The poor man! More over, do you know that this sickness is infectious. that it is catching if the patient and those who come in contact with him are not careful?" Does you mean that I thought catch it?''
 'Yes, that's just what I mean. You and others. To get well from tuber- l culosis or consumption, one must have l fresh air, sunshine, rest. freedom from worries, good food. good care and a ! good doctor To keep from giving it to anyone else one must cover his mouth with a cloth or paper napkin when coughing, must never spit on the 1 floor or anywhere except in sputum l cups with removable liners, or which 1 can be disinfected: or into small pieces of paper which can be burned. He must keep himself clean, inside and out never kiss anyone and learn even not to shake hands. And to keep from getting this disease, those who come in contact with tubercular people must not allow the patient to kiss them or to cough or breathe into their faces 1 They must wash their hands after handling the patient or something he ! has handled must keep his eating utensils separate and Scald them with hot soapy water at least once a day, disinfect his clothing never sleep in | the same bed with him, or even in the same room! Just think Matty, how many of these things you have done or ] left undone?"
 Matty's face was a study in despair ! Laws, Miss Talcum, | reckon I done ketched it. I never did nutIin of what you said DO, and done everything what you say DON'T"
 Now. Matty don't get discouraged Give me your address. I'll go to see you
 and show you and him what and how 10 uO. w nat IS your n;tlne now. She told me
 ''Why Matty. Wasn't this the man you were going to marry when I Ieft?' ''Yes'm. But the next superintendent she wouldn't write my letters for ne so we never made up after we had that there misunderstanding You remem-
 Der? And does you remember Mon-
 roe, that tall nigger who useter carry
 you across when it was muddy? Well
 I married him, but when Jake come
 home we made up so I divorced Mon-
 roe and married him. Twas no trouble
 at aIl.'
 Oh Matty, Matty, Yes, I used tC
 write her letters. I remember that
 one, written when Jake seemed neg
 lectful When I read it to Matty i
 made her cry, as it was pathetic, even quoted some poetry for goot measure, Matty said:
 It's burfl, Miss Talcum. . If you'S just put Notwithstanding in it :"