Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1846-03-05
CHAPTER Ill.
PAT THE LANDLORD

"Come, father! !" cried Helen, the next morning,
do lay down that prosy pamphlet, and come to
breakfast! You are too old a man to be 50 com
pletely swallowed up by the shop. You care more
for gallipot than for your breakfast, and would
rather read a tedious medical periodical than see
your family declare you redolent of pull
verlzed liquorice and rhubarb, that | am almost
sick of the sight or odor of you"
"Why, Helen" said her mother, show you run
on! declare, am quite ashamed of you.'
The good old Doctor smiled with much meaning
he submitted to Lis daughters raillery. "Nev-
or mind wife," he said he took his place at the
table. "Physicans are such nuisances that can
never think of admitting another INTO the family;
and as to that number of the Medical Examiner,
1t Is stupid affair, sure enough. 1t is nearly halt
filled with paper contributed by some young
quack, named Harry, Henry, or some such name"
Helen blushed and laughed, and laughed and
blushed again. Her weapons were now fairly
turned against her, and she had nothing to do but
to look out that she did not scad her fingers in do
ing the honors of the breakfast table, while her
father, making the most of his advantage, pressed
her most numerically. The real truth was, that
the report Of DR.. Henry's case, in which Dr. Greg
DRY had been so much absorbed was most inter
estlng one skllltully treated, and reported in a
manner which showed the young man 10 be mas
ter Of his profession, and most excellent practi
TONER Helen had shrewdness enough to perceive
that her father was III excellent mood as regarded
her wishes and hopes, and therefore rather courted
! than deprecated hls mirh She was therefore
more disappointed than pleased when her father
changed the subject, by saying to his wife ell
my dear, did you MISS any spoons Yesterday ~
TINS question answered III the negative, the Doc.
tor continued: Then, unless little Pat considers
! your basket worth more than any thing he would
| be likely to get here to-day, he will come back
! this morning"
"To be sure he will come" said Mrs DIR. Greg
| DRY.
| "To be sure he will, father" said Helen.
swell -Pehaps-" said the Doctor, pretending
! to have his doubt. Knowing that all womankinr
are more or less inclined to contradictions the Doc
tor cunnngly took care that their negatives shorlc
support the affirmative he wished to reach. Bet,
here announced that the young gentleman was al
ready below stairs.
"Give him some breakfast Betty" said the Doc
tor, aud then send hun up "Now you see" sal,
the Doctor, turning TO his daughter, that little Pa
Is deep lie throws sprat to catch shad. llt
Will keep on till he gets far enough into your con
iidence to steal something worth while"
." You hard-hearted ola gentleman" sale Helen
show can you be SO unchurltabe! lie knows tina
honesty is the best policy"
He will come TO the gaows, in the end" sale
the Doctor, winking to his wife to observe how
their daughters fine face lighted up with the eX
cltement OF contradiction.
" lie will come to a fortune and own a who'll
square /" retorted Helen.
"So'so, said the Doctor. GOOD, so. And III
tell you what, my pretty prophecies. know you
i believe what you predict aud I'll make you pro
mise on the credit of your own faith. You snail
marry this young DR., Henry, or HAIRY, or whatev
er his name Is, whenever Pat has a house to lie
you"
And the happy father laughed imrnoderatey a
his own wit. Ills wife joined and Helen, thoug
she rose from the table, and pretended to be angry
could not help joining them TOO, Before she coul
reply Betty announced caller. 1t was one of tn
Doctors tenants, and he directed that he should b
shown up He was the lessee of several larg