Year: 1879

ing" added:


This is MIR. Markham, believe ?"
The gentleman bowed his assent, and she
continued;


81 am your neighbor Mrs. lawson Mr..
Markham. You must excuse my early call,
bit have heard from Mrs. Bates, who has
sometimes washed for you, that your little
girl is very i'll with scarlet fever, and know
ing how difficult it is TO get assistance at
such times, came TO ask il can be useful
to you in any way ?"


We are, indeed, sadly in need of help"
returned Mr.. Markham, opening the sitting
room door, and cordially inviting the well
come visitor TO enter "but ! had not
thought of troubling our neighbors. Our
girl left as soon as she heard the word
scarlet fever" and we have not been able
TO find any one to assist us. / stayed from
business yesterday, and helped my wife in
the sick-room, so that she got little time
to attend to household matters but this
morning, poor little Julia is unwilling TO
nave her mother leave her for a moment"


"Poor child p said Mrs. Lawson ait is a
dreadful disease had it in my family
year ago, and very hard time we had
but, thank God, no one was taken from u.s.
And now | have taken off my bonnet and
shawl, and am quite ready to begin work.
MIR. Markham. What shall do first Have
you had breakfast ?"


"Well to say the TRUTH" was the some
what confused reply, Il was just attempt
ing to prepare it but | am certainly not
much experienced in such matters"


"Of course not. | will relieve you from
that duty. This is the kitchen, | suppose ?"


And in another moment Mrs. Lawson was
ictively preparing a substantial breakfast,
which, with some help from Mr.. Markham
in telling her where things were kept"
vas soon ready for the table, while little
waiter stood neatly arranged for taking a
tempting morning meal to the weary mother,
who was still watching by the sick.bed.


"Mrs. Markham will feel better for cup
)f coffee and bit of toast. Will you take
It to her, sir ?" said the kindly neighbor,
and will have all ready for you and the
little man when you come down"


As she spoke, she stopped to give little
Robbie, who had been attentively watching
her, kiss, and carefully lifting him into
his high chair, tied on his table apron,
which she saw hanging ready for the pur.
pose, and placed his breakfast before him.


Mrs. Markham looked up and made q
sign of silence, as her husband entered the
room with the waiter.


She is really sleeping quietly" she
whispered, as she came forward TO meet
him, " and there is moisture upon the skin.
do think the symptoms are more favorable.
Why, Henry ~ she exclaimed with glance
If surprise at the waiter, what a good cook
you are had no idea that you could get
breakfast so nicely"


You are not indebted to me for it." re-
plied her husband, with smile. ave had
help of the first quality downstairs, ! as
sure you"


as it possible What relief Did Dr.
Merrill send her Z"


"No, indeed She came of her own ac-
cord. 1t is our neighbor, Mrs. Lawson. She
heard of our situation, and came to offer her
iervces."


"And you asked her to get breakfast 2
Why, Henryl'


8" 1t is all right, | assure you, little wife.
She is just the kindest, most mothery sort
of woman you ever saw and takes right
hold of the first thing she sees needs to be
lone She said cup of coffee would do you
good, and asked me to take it TO you, and
hen come to my own breakfast. She has
it all ready"


$50, then, by all means; am sure You
need it, But it does seem so strange to be
indebted to stranger in this way" replied
Mrs. Markham, with sigh, as she closed
the door gently after her husband and sat
down to refresh herself from the little waiter.


"And now, Mr. Markham, said his new
friend, as the gentleman finished his morning
meal, and expressed his earnest thanks, "if
you will trust your family TO my care for the
day, and go to your business as usual, | will
do my very best to attend to them faithfully"


But, my dear madam, it seems too much
to ask of you. We have no claim upon you
for so much kindness


al do not see it in that light. We all have
claims upon each other for kindness and
sympathy. have daughter at home who
can attend to the family, so you need not
hesitate to accept my offer. l am very glad
to be of use to you"


Mr. Markham thought of his boasted
motto "Take care of number one" and
stood rebuked in the presence of his friendly
neighbor.


An early visit from the doctor, and an
assurance that the disease was taking a more
favorable turn, diffused cheerful spirit
throughout the household. Mr.. Markham
went to his business, and Mrs lawson after
putting the house in order, and attending to
little Roobie's wants, went, in her motherly
way, to the sick-room, and quietly won her
way to the hearts of both mother and
daughter.


When Mr.. Markham returned in the even
ing, he was surprised to find his wife await
ing him at supper-table, and to hear her
say that Julia was quite willing to have Mrs
Lawson stay with her part of the time.


6 She knows exactly what to do for the
poor child far better than do" added the
mother "and she is so very kind that feel
as if | had known her all my life"


1T is blessing to have her with us, am
sure" was the reply "but it seems too
much to ask of a neighbor"


Il know it does; and | said so TO Mrs.
Lawson, but she says it is a real pleasure to
her She is going to watch with Julia to-
night, and let us sleep; and she has told the
doctor of woman who lives two or three
miles from here who she thinks will be
willing to come and stay with US until the
sickness is over. The doctor will see her To-
night and bring us word in the morning.


That is good news. | hope he will be
successful. And now for supper | feel very
tired, and shall be very thankful to rest, ifI
can feel sure that you are to be relieved.
The last two nights have been very trying
to both of us"


Quiet and refreshing sleep and encourag-
ing accounts from the kind nurse, the next
morning, had restored the weary parents.


N"iN S''iJ NANh VIC MtlNbAlc
tidings that woman, well qualified for her
work, would be there within an hour


We are so grateful to you !" said Mrs.
Markham, as her kind neighbor bade her
goodbye promising to look in again by
and-by after she had seen to her own family
a little"


have given up my old motto, my dear"
said Mr.. Markham to his wife, as he returned
from accompanying Mrs Lawson to the door.
4" | am convinced that it will not answer to
always look out for number one.'"


" 1t will not indeed, Henry" was the
earnest reply. I'VE are so dependent upon
each other.'


A few days of continued anxiety and
then all was again cheerfulness and sun.
shine with the Markhams. Little Julia
was rapidly recovering, and Robbie showed
no symptoms of having taken the disease
Good help was in the kitchen, and the doc.
tors carriage was no longer seen standing
at the door,


Mrs, Lawson continued her friendly Wis
its, and being soon on familiar terms, told
them one day of the handsome sum which
had been contributed toward rebuilding
In ir bun


"The friends who first got up the sub.
saription thounrhf Oh, 4 L.