The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-02-18
CHAPTER Y.

Returning 10 FriEinghall, | left n note for
Detteredge, telling him that had been unex-
pectelly called away for a few hours, but that
he might certainly expect my return toward
three o'clock in the afternoon. requested him (,
m the interval. TO order his dinner at the usual
hour, AMI to amuse himself as he pleased. He
hal. as well knew host Of friends in Frizing-
hall and he would be at no loss how to ill up
his time until returned to the hotel.
This done, I made the best Of my way out of
the town again, and roamed the lonely moor
land country which surrounds frizinghall, un-
oil my watch told me II was time, st last, to re
turn to Mr.. Candy's house.
f6unl Ezra Jennings ready and waiting for
me.
I drew up to the table and Ezra Jennings
handed me his manuscript notes. They con-
sistei Of two large folio leaves Of paper. One
leaf contained writing which only covered the
sarfice at intervals. The other presented writ
ing, in rel anil black ink, which completely
fllel the page from top TO bottom. In the irri-
tatel state Of my curiosity at that moment
lii aside the second sheet OF paper In despair.
'lIavc some mercy on mel said. Tell me
what am to expect before attempt to read
this
Willingly, Mr.. Blake! Do you mind my
asking you one or two more questiOns!'
Ask me anything you like'
He lookel nj me with the sad smile on his
lips, and the kindly interest in his son brown
eyes
'YOu have already told me- he said, that
you have never-to your knowlcige-tasted
opium In your life.'
TO my knowledgey repeated.
You will understand directly why I speak
a.. a.
not aware Of ever having taken opium. AT this
time st year, you were suffering from nervous
irritation, and you slept wretchelly at night.
On the night Of the birthday, however. there
was an exception TO the rule-yOu slept sOundly.
Am right. 80 farr
.oulte right
.Can you assign any cause for your nervous
suffering and want Of sleep"
Il can assign no cause. Old Bcttercigc
made guess at the cause, remember. But
that Is hardly worth mentioning
Pardon me. ANY thing Is worth mentioning
in such case as this Bettercige attributed
your slecplcssness TO something. To whatH
TO my leaving of smoking
Hal you been an habitual smokcrr
'Yes'
'Did you leave OF the habit sulicnlyr
.Yes'
'Betterclse was perfectly right, Mr.. Blake.
When smoking Is habit, man must have no
common constitution who can leave II of sud-
denly without some temporary damage to his
nervous system. Your slecpless nights are ac-
cOuntei for, 10 my mind. My next question
refers to Mr. Candy. Do you remember hay-
ing entered into anything like dispute with
him-st the birthday dinner or afterward-on
the Subir,et of his t,rof,-s;aa
The question instantly awakened one Of my
dormant remembrsnccs in connection with the
birthday festival. The foolish wrsngle which
took place ON that occasion, between Mr.. Candy
and myself. win be found, described at much
greater length than IL deserves, in the tenth
chapter Of Betterclge's Narrative. The details
there presented Of the dispute-so little had
thought Of Il aflcrwarl-entirely failed TO rccur
To my memory. All that eouh now recall.
and all that I eouli tell Ezra Jennings, was
that I had attacked the art Of meiicine st the
dinner-tablc with sufficient n shncss and suih-
eient pertinseity 10 put even Mr.. Candy out OF
temper FOR the moment l also remembered
that LAZY verindcr had intcrfered 10 stop the
dispute. and that the little doctor and had
made u up again. as the children say, and
hsd become s good friends as ever before We
shook hands that night
There Is one thing MORE said Ezra Jen-
nings. (which ID Is very important that should
know Hal you any reason for feeling special