Meigs County telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy [Ohio]) 1848-1859, 1858-09-28

the invitation. His study was gem OF q
place for comfort, and among the articles
not absolutely necessary for the study of
his profession we detected a rifle: set OF
boxing gloves; pair of foils;a pair Of
heavy wooden broadswords; while upon
the floor were pair Of dumb bells. l
wondered what these latter were for
surely not for the Doctors use, for could
do nothing with them, save to hold them
in my hands, and swing them about at an
angle Of some forty-fve degrees,and was
much heavier than be was. s...-..-.-.ss.-.
asked him what he did with them.
"Oh," he said, smiling, 81 exercise my
muscles with Them" and as he spoke he
took them up and raised them at arm $
length, an d there held them for some mo-
ments, his fine breast rounded out like a
Roman cuirass. Then he threw them up,
and out, and around, handling them as
seemed impossible that so small body
sured us that he had gained it all by prac-
tice. He had labored for years to develop
muscular system, in which he had been
lacking when a child. And he also said
that by keeping his muscles we'll hardened
and developed, he was better able to bear
the fatigue of his profession, which called
him from his rest often for several nights
in succession.
We were making arrangements for a
grand picnic in our village. The girls
were making pies and cakes of all sorts
and shapes, while we youths were prepa-
ring two tables, and clearing up the grove
which was just outside the village, on the
bank of the river.
The day at length came, and the sun
smiled from cloudless sky, and fresh
breeze came sweeping up the river bearing
a greateful GOODNESS upon its bosom. We
reached the ground III due season, and
only one thing came to mar the pleasures
of the occasion. Jack Burke made his
appearance upon the ground, in a shabby,
dirty suit, and with an insolent swagger.
A chill ran through the whole crowd
Many of us would gladly have helped put
him away, but we shrank from meddling
with one who was SO strong and gigantic,
and withal, so reckless and merciless in
his wrath. We saw the thin, delicate lips
Of the doctor quivering as he noticed the
filthy fellow staggering about, but he
said nothing then.
One of our party was n youth named
David Singleton. He was quiet, good
hearted fellow, and beloved by all. He
had waited upon Mary Livingston to the
picnic. Mary was pretty, blue-eyed
maiden of eighteen, and that she loved
David right fondly, we all knew just as
well as we knew that David loved her.
1t so happened that Jack Burke had
offered, on several occasions, to wait upon
Mary, and she had as often peremptorily
refused him. He had professed to like
her, and had made his boast that he would
have her yet, and, if "David Singleton
dared to put his arm in the way, he'd drop
him -
On the present occasion Jack was not
long in seeking Mary's side. David was
nervous and uneasy. He was a light,
small-framed youth, and looked with dread
upon the giant who sought to annoy both
him and his fair companion.
Mary asked Burke to 90 away and as
she spoke she turned shuddering from
him.
81 shan't go away" the burly brute re-
turned. eff you don't like it you may
lump it ~
"Come, Mary" said young Singleton,
trembling, ''let's leave him.
."You will, eh 2" cried Burke, seizing
Mary by the arm, and drawing her back.
The affrighted girl uttered quick cry
of alarm, and Singleton started to his feet,
quivering at every point.
Miserable brute % he exclaimed, 'let
her go %
In an instant Burke leaped up, and
swore he'd ''whip the youngster to within
an inch of his life !''
In an instant all was alarm and confu-
sion; but in the midst of the clamor arose
a clear, clarion voice
'Stand back Stand back every one
of you Back, l say-and give me
room -
The way was quickly cleared, and the
young doctor leaped into the open space,
his bright eye burning keenly; his face
flushed, and his slight, handsome frame
erect and stern.
"Fellow !'' he thundered, ''leave this
place Take your foul presence hence at
once Do you understand ? What a
miserable coward, to insult girl Shame !!
Shame But go go p
For few moments Burke was COM
pletely dum-founded. There was some
thing in the tones and bearing of the man
before him, and in the strangely burning
eye that beamed upon him, that awed him
for the while. But he measured every
thing by its weight and size, and the
courage of the brute came back to him.
"Who are you % was his first remark,
at the same time shaking his bullet head
threateningly.
81 am the man who ordered you to
leave this place Your presence is very
offensive. You were not invited, and if
you had any decency you would not be
here 20
"Look here, my fine dandy !" beloved
the brute, lust you say aint decent
agin, and III spile that lady-like face of
yourn, almighty quick ~
There was quite smile upon the doc