Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1878-03-09

| as whlte-wlnged dove, before Mrs
Perkins could volunteer to go-in hel
stead. -.' l--A !. ~ s
eyes," said Mrs. Perkins to herself
'it is a shame. He seems to think
she's made of cast iron and India rub
berthe old torment! .-s
With this rather illogical expression
Of her opinion, Mrs. Perkins resumed
her knitting more vigorously than
ever. .fa - HI. -,...s. /.
Meanwhile Theodore hastened up
stairs into a closely curtained sick
room, where a querrulous old gentle
manlay, tortured with great deal Of
"hypo' and very little actual illness
But Uncle Joseph White chose to be-
lieve that he was very ill F.; and who,
pray, was better judge of the state
of his bodily health than himself?
He screwed his face up into the
semblance of nut-cracker as his
niece hurriedly entered the apartment
and came to his bedside. . .
Give been humping on the floor
till my arms are ready to drop out of
their socketsI he groaned. care
you all deaf down stairs /? or has old
Perkins forgotten there is any one in
the world but herself and her snuff
box ?" -l .
I'm very sorry, uncle p
"Actions speak louder than words |"
snarled Uncle Joseph, ungraciously.
"How do you feel now, Uncle Jo-
seph ?" asked Theodore, soothingly.
I'm worse" s,f.4.. ... ..r
care your .t,'-e -e
"Pulse higher--skin hot--face
flushed; Of course m worse. This con-
founded hot room is enough to throw
any one into a fever Open every
door and window-quickl" !" E
WITHOUT an instants hesitation
Theodore unbarred the blinds, and
threw open the four large windows
and two doors. The light from
the western sky steamed like a food
of fiery radiance into the room; the
draft, whirling through, caught up
newspapers, futtered the leaves of
books, and even upset Uncle Joseph s
pet bottle of medicine.
"O-w-w-wl' roared the sick man
with vehemence, that proved his lungs
at least to be quite free from disease Z;
"do you want to blind me-to blow
me away p &c.,, . .... - ..
"You told me to do it, Uncle Jo-
seph I" r4nN ta.s2. --t
"shut the windows quick-draw the
cprtainsl" groaned Uncle Joseph,
who's that battering down the door!
cts only very gentle knocking
uncle"
"Then, I'm nervous. Go and see p
Presently Theodore returned.
"It's Major Crowfoot, uncle he
sends his compliments, and wishes to
learn how you are.
"Tell him to go to the deuce"
eyes, uncle 49,
"Well," Said Uncle Joseph, as his
niece returned to his bedside after a
momentary absence "what did he
say ?"
HE seemed very much offended
uncle
"offended at what, pray?" de-
manded Uncle Joseph.
II suppose at being told to go to the
deuce!" answered Theodore, quietly.
"Girl," calculated the invalid, rails,
ing himself halfway upon his elbow
you didn't tell him that ?"
eyes, I did, uncle. You said your.
self, Tell him to go to the Deuce >
Mr.. Joseph White fell back, fla
and motionless, among his pillows.
"Theodora, you are fool!'
I'm very sorry, uncle" said Theo
dora, beginning to whimper.
Uncle Joseph stared at her in sur
prise. Could it be possible that The
dreary days and weeks of her stead
fast attendance had weakened he
intellect and turned her brain ?
"Give me my ater-gruel," he sal
briefly, after few moments ponder
ing over the unwelcome possibility.
Theodore brought in a neat ittl
china bowl, with a silver spoon lyin
on the snowy, folded napkin tina
Aanked it on the tray.
Uncle Joseph took one taste, AM
threw down the spoon with petular
sound not unlike bark.