Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-11-22

soon after had followed Trapp and seen
him turn up toward the old fort. A hand
kerchief was found on the top of the cliff
marked I'D F." and Fields hat was found
among the rocks along the shore. A war
rant was issued for Trapp's arrest, and he
was hunted high and low by posse OF
constables, but not taken. And mean-
while Field was lying unconscious in an
old farmhouse by the lake side q mile or
two north. Old Trapp had been out that
night, looking for his son-he and Bills
mother had been good deal worried
about him the last week or two-and the
old man had been down to III inquiring
for him, having heard nothing Of him for
some days. He was pulling out, on his
way home, from under the rocks below
The fort, and saw the two men standing
out in the angle of the wall high up. He
saw the awful leap and plunge, rowed
round and fished out the limp shape of
young man he had never seen, worked the
water out of him, rowed him home and
laid him in bed. He left him there,
breathing but unconscious, and went for
| DR.. Niedever of Rawden. He must have
struck his head in some way; there was
cut on his forehead but no other serious
injury that could be seen. If he had
struck sidewise, it would not have mat
tered much whether it was water or rock
that he struck; but his leap had carried
him beyond the debris at the cliffs foot,
and, coming down perfectly straight as he
did. ten feet deeper water would have let
him off little the worse. As it was. he
was unconscious for some time. When
he came to himself he was extremely
weak and hungry, and perfectly contented
to let them do with him as they pleased.
The doctors daily visits, the movements
of the queer old couple as they came in
and out. fed him draughts. the homely old
place and the placid eXpanse of the lake
which he saw by turning his head. were as
much and no more to him than his own
body lying there day after day. They
were parts of pantomime. OF which he
was actor and spectator, but in which he
had no special interest, and which he was
perfectly happy to go to sleep and leave.
Gradually his brain cleared, and slowly he
got back the thread of recollection where
it had broken off so sharply, and began 10
spin again; and among the first clear new
ideas that took shape out of scattered wits
was one, that the queer old couple had
been exceedingly good to him, and that
they had no special reason for kindness in
his case and, second. that this gruff, rud-
dy, Indian-haired doctor was a man OF
skill and decision, and not one too fond of
Mr.. Daniel Field.
The second Sunday afternoon Field was
lying quietly looking out ON the lake from
the bed, and thinking in mood uncom-
monty serious for him. not very compla-
cent nor very proud. Some feelings that
had been stronger than he cared to resist
these few weeks had grown vague and in
termittent-some new ones had come into
their place. Al 8 a
Dr. Nedever came in and looked at
him, giving him no greeting and, treating
him brusquely enough He took turn
about the room, and faced round "Well,
young man. he said, 1--WE pulled you
through pretty tight place"
The manner and tone angered Field.
"that's your trade, isn't t?" he answered.
II suppose money will pay you.
Money! roared the old doctor. "Of
course you'll pay, and pay well. But do
you think I've done it for your sake or
your money? Look here he served you
right when he threw you over"
IL suppose he'd hang as well an anoth-
er," answered Field.
''He wouldn't hang. There's no evil
him. If you had died, your body would
|
men would testify to his character, and
I'd have been one. He stands worse
chance now than if you were anchored to
the bottom of the lake. haven't saved
your life for his sake nor for yours;
have done it for this old man. You owe
me nothing but money, but everything
you've got, and all you'll ever have, and
the chance of redeeming yourself. you
owe to old Joe Trapp; and wish him joy
OF his debtor!' e..t
"Now, old man, Field answered, ''you
can go. You needn't come back. l
haven't the money now, but old Trapp
will give you my card out of my coat.
Send your bill to that address and IN pay
you when | can.''
The doctor stood looking at him min
ute with his hands in his pockets, his red
face scowling savagely. He muttered
something, turned on his heel and went
down. Old Trapp was away at the time,
and came home an hour later. He came
up and into Field room with his queer
gait and face and STOPPING old figure.
"My friend,' said Field. "rll trouble
you to bring ME my clothes; I'm going to
get up
The old man went down and brought
them, helped him to dress and come down
stairs, and set him by the fire in an easy.
chair The old wife brought and laid on
the table knite. II bunch of keys, a letter,
card-case and cigar case, a handkerchief
newly washed and ironed, pair of soiled
gloves, some pennies and trihes, and two
rolls OF bills.
They was wet you know, and we had
to dry 'em sepatate," said the oil man,
"but you'll find 'em right, guess"
Field flushed up wnen he saw one OF
tie rolls it was tied with string. and a
tit Of paper about it was marked in pen
ell, partly obliterated Long Fellow of
Ti.' He put that package into his pocket
with the other things, and left the other
roll of money on the table.
you two people have done uncom-
monty neghborly by me-" he said. II
should like to know your reason"
II guess most anybody'd done it. stran-
ger, answered Trapp. Likes you'd be
lone by you know, ef you'd ha' been me.
wouldn't you ?"
'sNo, I'll be hanged if l would ps broke n