The Argosy — page 18: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

The House of Halliwell. 5 musingly. ‘‘Those delayed marriages are so frequently frustrated for good. Had it turned out so in this case, Jane might have blamed us all her life.” ‘Well, it’s done, and it can’t be undone,” concluded Aunt Copp. “How can I send Jane’s present after her ? ” ‘Don’t attempt it,” advised the Major. ‘“ They sail at the end ot the week, and Jane has a van-load of fine things as it is. Give it to Hester instead.” ‘“‘T must say one thing,” resumed Mrs. Copp, “ that, for a wedding- day, you are desperately quiet. I never heard of such a thing as remaining quietly at home, with not a soul but yourselves. When I was married, girls, we had a ball in the evening, and I and my husband, your uncle Sam, stopped. and opened it.” ‘We said we had lost two children besides Jane,” said Mrs. Hath- well, in a half whisper. ‘‘ We have only thrown off our mourning for to-day, and shall resume it to-morrow. How could we have any rejoicing ?” “Tell me about it,” said Mrs. Copp. “Tt was darling little James and Frederick,” answered Lucy, with tears in her eyes. ‘‘ They died last May.” ‘“* Both died ?” “Both. Only two days apart from each other.” ‘““My patience! Poor little dears. What was it?” ‘Scarlet fever,” cried the Major; “it was raging in the neighbour- hood, and the three young ones took it. Mary recovered, but the poor boys died.” “Ah!” groaned Aunt Copp, ‘‘ that was bad management. I wish I had been at home. What doctors did you have?” ‘““Mr. Davis, the medical man here. They were only ill, one four, the other five days.” ‘“T tell you, then, it was bad management took those boys, and nothing else.” ‘““T think it was not quite that,” sighed Mrs. Halliwell. “What else, pray ?” snapped Aunt Copp. “God’s will.” Aunt Copp was silent for a bit: then she resumed :— ‘There ’s one plan to be pursued with scarlet fever, and that is, before it comes on, the very instant you have a suspicion that the child is sickening for it, give him a regular good dosing. Never mind his kicking and crying, and saying he won’t take medicine, give it him: the more he fights, the more you give. Ina few hours he will be much more subdued ; and the fever, when it comes, will take less hold upon the system ; it won’t mount to the throat. Give the child plenty to drink, and keep him cool, and he will have it lightly.” ‘“ But, Aunt Copp,” broke in Alfred, much amused, ‘‘ suppose it is not the fever that he is sickening for? You would waste your medicine.” CoOnniclooolkks (S©) im