My Childhood
15
three weeks. No one but herself thought it possible for me to recover;
but for some reason she felt that I would live. A kind neighbor, who
had been very much interested in my behalf, at one time thought me to
be dying. She wished to purchase a burial robe for me, but my mother
said, Not yet; for something told her that I would not die.
When I again aroused to consciousness, it seemed to me that I had
been asleep. I did not remember the accident, and was ignorant of the
cause of my illness. As I began to gain a little strength, my curiosity
was aroused by overhearing those who came to visit me say: “What a
pity!” “I should not have known her,” etc. I asked for a looking glass,
and upon gazing into it, was shocked at the change in my appearance.
Every feature of my face seemed changed. The bones of my nose had
been broken, which caused this disfigurement.
The thought of carrying my misfortune through life was insupport-
able. I could see no pleasure in my existence. I did not wish to live,
and yet feared to die, for I was unprepared. Friends who visited us
looked with pity upon me, and advised my parents to prosecute the
father of the girl who had, as they said, ruined me. But my mother
was for peace; she said that if such a course would bring me back my
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health and natural looks, there would be something gained; but as this
was impossible, it was best not to make enemies by following such
advice.
Physicians thought that a silver wire might be put in my nose to
hold it in shape. This would have been very painful, and they feared it
would be of little use, as I had lost so much blood and sustained such a
nervous shock, that my recovery was very doubtful. Even if I revived,
it was their opinion that I could live but a short time. I was reduced
almost to a skeleton.
At this time I began to pray the Lord to prepare me for death. When
Christian friends visited the family, they would ask my mother if she
had talked to me about dying. I overheard this, and it roused me. I
desired to become a Christian, and prayed earnestly for the forgiveness
of my sins. I felt a peace of mind resulting, and loved everyone, feeling
desirous that all should have their sins forgiven and love Jesus as I did.
I well remember one night in winter when the snow was on the
ground, the heavens were lighted up, the sky looked red and angry,
and seemed to open and shut, while the snow looked like blood. The
neighbors were very much frightened. Mother took me out of bed in