The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1877-06-14


heirs to their rich uncle's property, real
and personal, and, as it was more than
suspected, had kept open the breach be-
tween the father and daughter to make
assurance doubly sure.
"Ihis was the gist of broken-headed
Bets communications, Mrs. Chappell,
but l had ample opportunity to confirm
their truth afterwards, when came into
daily intercourse with them all.
"He had keen eyes, this old Money
bags-eyes, Mrs. Chappell, that seemed
to search one through l know ] used
to think so when after time he began
to stop me and ask me how my patients
were getting on and many time-for
he was not a bad sort, you must know
ne has slipped couple of half-crowns,
or even half-a-soyereign, into my hand,
and told me those were the pills he per-
scribed when he took to the healing art.
Then he would chuckle, and ask his
grandson how he would like to be a
doctor of the same sort when he grew
man, and prescribe silver pills and
golden ointment; and when the boy
laughed at the conceit he would press
the small hand, and 90 on his way re-
joicing.
80 Ii | were to fall sick, Mary (no-
body called me Mrs. Marbury' near
WillenhalD, would you mind coming to
nurse me, and see | was not choked off
before my time fort sake fmy money
bags?' he asked me one of these times.
''Of course | said should be glad to
do my best on such an occasion, but |
hoped there would be no need of me vet
awhile.
"Then the youth, who was between
eleven and twelve, and had evidently
been pondering his grandfather's ques-
ton, looked up with vague trouble in
his innocent eyes, and inquired, in a
sort of perplexity, But who would
choke you off for your money-bags,
grandfather? You don't think any of
the people would hurt you, do you,
grandfather?'
"'Can't tell, my lad; COLDS great
temptation. But so long as they don't
choke thee off too, all's right
"'But who are THEY?' persisted
iames Dudley, taking the jest in sober
earnest, and creeping closer as he spoke
You're not afraid of robbers, are you,
grandfather
81 did not hear the end of the con-
versation, for | went on my way; but
heard old Weston's sly chuckle as |
turned the corner.
"That was in March, Mrs. Chappell,
and, sure enough, the last week in May
James Dudley came running to my poor
Lodgings, white-fac and breathless.
IaI f,1l -
90 back with him?
81 hold it the duty of nurse to keep
herself in readiness night or day; so no
more time was lost than would carry us
over the mile or so of dusty road. A few
hawthorns scented the air as we APP
preached the house; and a doctors
brougham, from Walsall, stood at the
gate.
"We found the whole house in con-
fusion, and the old man lying ON a sofa,
breathing heavily, and speechless; the
Doctor feeling his pulse.
Before DR.. Hill went away Mr..
Weston had recovered so far as to JUS
tify removal to his own bed and undress-
ing, though he still remained in a criti-
cal state.
"This bed was heavy and peculiar
piece of furniture, evidently built to fit
into a recess in the wall of the room op-
posite to the windows. The door open
ed on to a square landing, and was one
of five, two rooms being on each side,
the fifth door opening to sort of dress
ing-room, which had second door to
| the chamber.
"The next day he was better; and it
was quite touching to see how he stroked
the head of his attentive grandson, and
called him good boy and bade him
take care to become good man also.
"That night brought into the house
his two other relatives, lugubrious in
their emotional manifestations.
"Having once got foothold in their
uncle's house, they never left it.
Keturah, the most obsequious and atten-
tive of nieces, took the household reins
in her hands at once, and had it been
polite would, think, have got rid of
me.
"Job, though long out of his articles,
was still a clerk, and tied to the solicitor S
office; but he obtained frequent leave OF
absence, and gave his dear good uncle
the full benefit of it, not much to the
sick mans solace.
Gradually perceived they endeav-
ored to warp the inyalid's mind against
his grandson, and not finding that avail,
kept the boy out of the room, saying
grandfather wished it; telling the old
man the youth was playing, or idling,
OF reading-any thing but caring for a
loving relative near death.
"At last became sensible that the
old man was sinking fast, and daily
grew more submissive to his nephew
and niece, who were urging upon him