The White Rose of MemphisFalkner, William C. (Clark)
General
The White Rose of Memphis
Falkner, William C. (Clark)
Memphis (Tenn.) -- Fiction
“‘Wasn’t she a pretty little darling?’ continued Harry; ‘I fell in love
with her as we rolled down the embankment together; and when I get to be
a man, if she is willing, we’ll go down the path of life together.’
“‘His mind is wandering,’ whispered the conductor.
“Harry overheard him.
“‘Perhaps it is,’ said he, ‘but let it wander as much as it likes, so
long as it happens to stray in that direction. Hush crying, Lottie dear,
I tell you I am not much hurt; I shall be well again in three weeks.’
“The old surgeon arrived, threw off his coat, rolled up his sleeves, and
went to work like a man who knew what he was about; and I was struck
with admiration for the man when I saw the skill with which he reset the
broken bones and placed the splints.
“‘There now, we’re all right, my brave little hero,’ he said, smiling as
he finished pinning the bandage. ‘Keep it moist with cold water to
prevent inflammation, and in three weeks this leg will be as good as the
other one. By the by, what’s your name, little man?’
“‘Harry Wallingford, sir.’
“‘Ah, ha! a very nice name, too, it is. And the pretty little girl whose
life you saved is the sweetest little angel that ever touched the
earth!’
“‘Who is she?’ Harry inquired.
“‘Viola Bramlett is her name. She is the daughter of Mr. Bolivar
Bramlett, of New York City, who is traveling in the South for the
benefit of his wife’s health. They have been stopping at this hotel some
three or four weeks, and being called in to see Mrs. Bramlett
professionally, I have had a chance to become well acquainted with the
family; therefore, you see, I speak advisedly when I say that little
Viola is an angel.’
“‘I hope,’ said Harry, ‘that she is not badly hurt.’
“‘Oh, no; she is not hurt much at all--a slight contusion on the temple,
and a few scratches from the briars--that’s all. Her father will be in
to see you directly; he is overwhelmed with gratitude to you; and little
Viola (Heaven bless her!), won’t talk about anything except the pretty
little brave boy who kept her from being killed. She insisted on coming
to see you now, but I persuaded her to wait till your wounds were
dressed. So you see that you may expect soon to be overflowed with
thanks and kisses from the sweetest little darling that the world ever
saw. Ah, you’re a lucky lad, anyway. Good morning; I’ll see you again
this evening; don’t move the wounded leg; keep it perfectly still, and
talk as much as you please to the little angel when she comes to see
you.’
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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