The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1877-09-06


daily intercourse with them all.
"He had keen eyes, this old Money
bags-eyes, Mrs. Chappell, that seemed
to search one through. I know 1 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 bad sort, you must know
he has slipped a couple of half-crowns,
or even half sovereign, into my hands,
and told me those were the pills he pre-
scribed when he took to the healing art
Then he would chuckle, and ask his
grandson how he would like to be doc
man, and prescribe silver pillsa and golden
ointment; and when the boy laughed at
the conceit he would press the small
hand, and go on his way rejoicing.
's If I 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 for the sake of my
moneybags2' he asked me one of these
times.
s'Of course I said I should be glad to
do my best on such an occasion, but I
hoped there would be no need of me yet
awhile.
"Then the youth, who was between
II and u, and had evidently been pom
dering his fathers question, looked up
with vague trouble in his innocent
eyes, and inquired, in sort of per-
plexity, But who would choke you off
for your moneybags, grandfather? You
don't think any Of the people would
hurt yoa, do you, grandfather
Can't tell, my lad COLDS a great
temptation. But SO long as they don't
choke thee off, too, alls right.
But who are they g persisted James
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 I went on my way; but
heard old Weston's sly chuckle as I
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, whitehead and breathless.
Mr.. Weston had fallen in fit ; would [
go back with him.
hold 1,,fx of q ,,,,,oa 10 1-oo,>
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 ap-
preached the house, and a doctors
brougham from Walsall stood at the
gate.
sion, and the old man lying on sofa,
breathing heavily, and speechless; the
doctor feeling his pulse.
"Before DIR. Hill went away, Mr..
Weston had recovered so far as to justify
removal to his own bed and undressing,
though he still remained in critical
state.
"This bed was heavy and peculiar
piece of furniture, evidently built to fit
into recess in the wall of the room op-
posite the windows. The door opened
on to a square landing, and was one of
five, two rooms being on each side, the
fifth door opening to sort of dressing
room, which had a 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
to take care to become a 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. Ketu-
rah, the most obsequious and attentive
of nieces, took the household reins in
her hands at once, and had it been poll
tic would, mink, have got rid of me.
"Job, though long out of his articles,
was still clerk, and tied to the solici-
tors 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 invalid'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 idline, or
reading-anything but caring for a low
ing relative near death.
cat last 1 became sensible that the
old man was sinking fest, and daily grew
more submissive to his nephew and
niece, who were urging upon him the
necessity of making his viii. His speech
was imperfect, but at last ne seemed to
yield, and from my room, where they
thought me asleep, overheard them
suggest form of will, and saw him nod
assent This puzzled me, for the terms
were all in favor of the orphan grand
child.
"During that very day was startled
on entering the loom to find the feeble
old man out of the bed, and making su-
perhuman efforts to pull it from the re-
cess. I thought his brain was touched,
for his keen eyes looked into mine; and
I heard him say, VIII, viii. got him
back into bed, and tried to soothe him.
Keturah came up, and he was still moan
ing. VIII, will