Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-01-26
MEMPHIS, TENN WEDNESDAY EVENING JANUARY 26 1876
The stu,.erInx Father.

New York SUM-
He had been a good-looking young
fellow; but as be lay on bed in Belle
vue Hospital his aspect was unpleas'
ant His face was criss-crossed with
adhesive plaster, clearing had been
made in the forest Of hair on his head
and one leg stuck out into sight ban
dRged. His features were immosie by
reason of the stiffening patchwork; his
mouth would only open halfway, and
when be talked the unvsrying expression
Of his face was very queer. The surgeon
had slightly drawn the muscles on one
side Of his face with the strips of plaster
so that, viewed from one standpoint, be
smiled blsndly; but on the other side
the vissge' was solemn and resentful.
His name is John Garland.
How are you feeling2' asked the
house surgeon. Jest as if my head was
as big as barrel aud almost all of the
barrel was head, replied John.
The reporter was standing at johns
smiling side wondering at his good hu.
NOR; but change of attitude showed
the other half of his face, which seemed
much more appropriate for the occasion
he was induced to tell about the scci.
dent which had injured him.
me and father was working up in
West SixtY.second street" he said, blast
ing out rock. We was to get cellar
cleaned out by spring; 80 there wasn't
no hurry about it. Us two kind O.
worked along easy. We'd get in blast
every two or three days and draw out the
rock and drill the rest of the time. Well,
Sunday morning we thought we'd 20
round and put in an hour or so, cause
we'd lost day for Christmas. / was up
on the rock piling stone and father was
down in the hole. hadn't no idea what
he was up to. You see he stammers go
he cant say much anyway, and 80 as q
general thing we don't talk very often.
Sometimes he begins to say something,
but word sticks and he has to give it
up. So l didn't think anything of bis
keeping still for a good while What do
you 'spose the old man was doing2'
Fixing blast, maybe2'
BLAMED if he wasn't doin' Jest that
thing Notwithstanding twas Sunday,
he'd took a notion to let off a blast; but
! didn't dream of such thing. First
off | see the old man aolimbin np the
other side OF the hole. He seemed as il
he was in an awful hurry. he begun
to say somethin', and got as far as
John then the next word stuck.
generally don't expect any more when
he gets that way, and so went to work
again. Then happened to look up
again, and he was strugglin' over that
word worse'n l ever saw him struggle
over any word before. BE made up ter
rible faces. twisted his mouth round and
round, and swung his arms as if he was
crazy. ft HtF
Never mind, said to him. Try il
again uby,nsby. Taint no hurry, is it?'
he nodded his head, meauin' twas
I'M u hurry, and tried to start round tC
my side Of the hole, but there was {
fence on one side and high rock on tbs
other. He made up faces worse than
ever, and began with John again, bu
be couldn't get no further TO save BIZ
lite. ALI he could say was kind O
iE'Um-um um' You see he'd lit the fuse
and was tryin' to tell me to get out O.
the way. Just as he was gettin' purple
in the face, and guess he'd pretty nea
put his jaws out of joint, she come -"
THE word7'
| i'Mosesl no-the blast Blamed if i
didn't rise me like s'rocket. They say
come down mongst the pieces ol
stone"