The independent. [volume] (Elizabeth City, N.C.) 1908-1936, 1929-06-28

Robert Midget, the 16-year-old
son of Geo. B. Midget, Number
One surfman of Nags Head Coast
Guard Station was victim of in
fluenza four months ago. He came
out of the flu with nervous break
down, followed by state of coma.
For days on end he lay with wide
staring eyes, flat of his back in bed,
speechlesS, unable to hear, or TO
recognize his friends.
Came a'time when hope Of aid at
home was gone, and they took him
to a Norfolk hospital. The best
medical talent in Norfolk pronounc-
ed it a strange and battling case.
The boys eyes closed tight, and re-
manned closed; his tongue was silent
his throat was paralyzed, his food
was administered eXtraneouSly, tor
whatever the word is for feeding
anyone thru the nostrils). He could
not move; he could not raise hand
CT an arm
Now and then an eyelid would
flutter for a few seconds, but the
first football of a nurse to fall on
his ears, would shut them as flash
of light or sudden shock might shut
them. The doctors held out no
hope, the medical staff and the
nurses staff sought to console his
mother and suggested it were better
that he die than to be crazy for life,
even should he recover; and re-
coyery was doubtful. His body
wasted away until The end was eX-5
pected momentarily. Twice he was
thought to be dying; once he was
pronounced dead.
+ A Mothers Faith ~
But his mother, deeply religious
type of woman, never gave up hope.
He was her oldest living son, he
had always been mothers boy. He
was kind to his mother, he had
helped her do the housework and
take care of the smaller children,
He was her pride because he was
loved by everybody for his fine man
ners, and his thoughtfllness. She
prayed constantly for his recovery,
she. went: to his bed side daily; She
prayed aloud in his hospital room.
Medical ,eminence smiled indulgent-
ly at her faith and shook its head;
there was no hope to hold out to her.
You should pray for him to die"
the friendly ones said. 1T is better
that he die, than to be insane all
his life should he recover" they
insisted.
But he will not die, God will re-
store him to life" insisted the moth
er. 4 shall pray for him to live
Once, when she was advised that
the last flicker Of life was depart
ing the body of her child, weak her
self from the ordeal of long, sleep
less days and nights, she tainted.
They revived her; she thought the
boy was dead, and she asked nurse
how deep the water was outside the
hospital.
II am going to Robert" she said.
Came a time when the father was
at the end of his means to keep his
son longer in an expensive hospital.
Many kind friends and relatives had
taxed their resources to aid him.
The physicians knew the means
of the father, and had no hope of
giving further aid. -....
Take him home for awhile" was =
the word. Maybe the change will
do him good. Maybe the sight of
old, familiar faces will help"
Uncle Eber Brings Radio
And SC, Robert was brought back
to his own bed, in his fathers home
on a quiet street in Manteo. where
cool breeZeS blew the scent OF sum-
mer blossoms from the green world
outside into his room, and the salt
air excited his lungs, and his blood
rushed faster thru his veins. His
eyes were closed, and he could not
see the sunlight, nor recognize the
friends who, called to look at him,
but the second day he was writing
feeble messages on a pad OF paper.
Robert used to be office boy in the
building where Vic Meekins had his
radio shop, and his Uncle Eber Wes-
colt rebuilt shoes. He did his work,
and played the radio, and so when
his Uncle Eber asked what he want
ed, one of the first things he wrote
down was "A radio"
Uncle Eber brought up the radio.
A flood of music filled the room,
and awakened nerves that had been
asleep. Old songs that Robert had
sung, for he was a great music lover,
and a sweet singer himself fell on
his ears. A lIlgh school roy, witt ali
the imp Ilses a..J l.y's, AID hopes
OF adolescence l.card = col"L2