Angel Agnes | Page 9

man came back from the doctor to
inform Miss Arnold that her services were needed in a house about two
squares away from there, and that he would show her the place. Her
little trunk was already packed, her shawl and hat donned, when the
messenger arrived. But she found it very difficult to get away from the
Burtons. These poor, grateful people could not bear to part with her
whom they almost worshipped as their preserver. Children and mother
pleaded almost with anguish for her to stay with them.
"I would like to remain, Mrs. Burton," replied Agnes, "but there are
hundreds being stricken down every hour around us, who have no one
to wait upon them, and who may perish before help can reach them.
You and these darlings are now comparatively safe, while others just
taken are in deadly peril."
Her kind remonstrance had its effect, and the Burtons now consented to
let her go.
All kissed her most fondly, bade her good-by, and called down the
choicest blessings of Heaven upon her head.
"God bless you, and keep you safe from the horrible fever!" were the
words still ringing in her ears, as the heroic and devoted girl followed
the doctor's man out into the street.
It was not raining now, but the murky, mist-laden atmosphere was
rendered like a damp, choking, heavy pall of gloom by the dense
volumes of pitch and tar-smoke with which it seemed to be perfectly
soaked, as a sponge is with water. It caused Agnes to cough violently
and continuously until she arrived at her new destination, which was a
private dwelling-house, apparently the abode of some one belonging to
the middle class of society.

"This is the place, Miss Arnold," said the man, "a young lady was taken
early this morning while she was visiting in the house, and a few hours
ago a Sister of Mercy, who was sent in to nurse her, went down sick.
And they're both in bed together."
Agnes could not account for it, but the moment she heard mention of
the Sister of Charity, a feeling came over her that it must be one of the
three with whom she had come hither in the cars.
Upon reaching the house, she found that her impression was correct.
Sure enough, tossing in agony and delirium upon the bed, was Sister
Theresa. By some mistake, a male nurse had also been sent to this
house, of which circumstance Agnes, however, was very glad, as his
services were very valuable until she had administered her first simple
remedies to the two patients.
As soon as she could, she thanked the man, and informed him that she
could now get along without him, and that he had better report to the
doctor for assignment to some other house.
He left, and Agnes now commenced her task of peril and unceasing
labor.
The lady whom Sister Theresa had come to nurse was comparatively
quiet. But, strange as it may seem, Theresa herself was extremely
violent at intervals. Yet when in her right mind, she was the sweetest
and gentlest of her sex. Alas! how unlike her natural self was she, now
that reason was dethroned.
All through the long, long, dreary night, Agnes never once closed her
eyes. All night long, too, she never flagged in her devoted attention to
her patients. Minute by minute, instant by instant, inch by inch, as it
were, she battled with the demon fever that held so fiercely the two sick
women in his horrible grasp.
Ah, noble, noble Agnes, when thy soul appears on that final day before
God's judgment-seat on high, how thrice enviable will be thy reward!
What hymns of glorious praise shall heaven's choir chant for thee!

It was nearly day-dawn ere Agnes succeeded in getting the Sister of
Mercy into a somewhat quiet state, and then, completely worn out, she
was herself obliged to seek a little rest. Even her manner of doing this
showed how little she dreaded the pestilence, for, instead of going to
another room, she lifted Theresa further over in the bed, and laying
herself down beside her, placed her arm over her, kindly, lovingly, so
that if she should chance to move, though never so slightly, it would
awaken her.
Uttering a prayer, first for her patients, and then for herself, Agnes fell
at once into a light but refreshing slumber, from which, however, she
awakened at about the proper time to administer another dose of
medicine. This done, she again lay down as before, and in this way she
obtained three or four hours of good sleep, which had the effect to
refresh her very much indeed; after which she rinsed her face, hands
and neck in cold water, and partook of as