Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-01-05
(Cos tiuued from hrst page.)

while he spluttered and gasped for breath
Whatever is the matter with him p
asked the frightened servant
"Cucumbers - remarked the widow -
ion she had seen the doctor march home
that afternoon with two fine specimens of
that proverbially cool vegetable in his
hand. Then. the doctor becoming better.
she went home as cheerful as ever, and
slept the dreamless sleep OF The innocent
and of the non -dyspeptic.
Early next morning the baker called.
Il hear that Dr. Ash was sick last night.
and that you went in Pr said he. almost rs
though he had a right to ask.
Yes" she answered. The girl came
for me. and did The little could. Poor
old chap. It's pity he never married.
He might have had a wife and family
around him, instead of a poor, ignorant
servant girl, who calls up the ueighbors
on trifling causes
Widow that's what always saw. 4
lone man is the devils delight YOU Il
excuse profanity. Everything conspires
to make his life unbarable. What allied
the doctor ?"
40. he'd eaten too freely OF cucum-
bers.''
Widow Thorn, YOU know I'm As much
alone as he is
"Why-bless me. sir-what are YOU
driving at - asked she.
Nothing he said, with melancholy
smile, and left the shop.
Ten minutes alter. she saw HIM go home
with five overgrowu cucumbers in his
hands-she knew how many, tor she
pulled a box aside in the wind0v to count
Them. She smoolhed her apron down and
shook her head. She expected "a much
and more. Just AT that moment in came
the bachelor from over the way.
is there anybody sick next door,
ma am ?'' he asked.
"Yes, sir. DR.. Ash was taken i'll last
night. Why ?"
Il was playing We met twas in u
crowd. late, feeling miserable. and | saw
his servant come here, and saw you 90 in
with her. What allied him ?"
Now, sir | cant tell YOU I'm afraid
I've been the innocent cause of future
agony to the baker at the corner by tell
ing him; 50 if you'll excuse me, we'Il say
the doctor was imprudent."
I'm afraid I'm that myself ma am y
he said, low-spiritedly; "and lately I've
got to feeling pain here" And he
pointed in the region of his heart-that is,
his left side, where nobody's heart is, yon
know?
80. you play too vigorous, sir she
said. 81 once knew gentleman who
played the fife lovely; but he died sudden
ly, sir, and the doctor who opened him
told me he was as clear as a whistle inside
sir-his own identical words, 'as clear as
a NJ biStla haI
But, dare say. he was married
man ?"
Yes, indeed A blessed wife and
twins :"
"Ah! That's the reason. III never
die that way, ma'am-ior there's no one
to mourn for me. I'll keep on blowing
till, after awhile. you'll hear the echoes
rolling in me, and III play the same tune
twice at once, and one bar behind the
other
80! goodness gracious me e. she said
you'd better see Doctor"
Then he shook his head sadly and wen
out.
She sat in the little shop for an hour OF
more. writing IA long letter. She nike,
her fingers. said "bother - TO the pen fo
spluttering, folded the letter crookedly
refolded ii straightly, directed the enyel
ope. put stamp on the lett.hand corner
went out, dropped it in the box, and came
TO DR.. Ash's door, knocked, inquired how
he did, and came home again. Then
think she was busy for quite time, as al
such are.
Soon in popped the doctor with huge
boquet in his hand.
''Iou have saved my life, ma am, said
he.
Nonsense :" she exclaimed, but She
smiled in pleasant way, too.
Then he put the flowers beside her
pressed her hand, and went too see hi.
patients.
The little widow hummed tune, tap.
ping her foot Oh the floor, late in the after.
noon, when the bachelor from over the
way rushed to her.
I've done it, maam ~ said he, shiy.
ering.
Lord bless the man, What have YOU
done ?''
I've been imprudent.'
How ?"
I've poured cold water down my spine
TIL I'm almost paralyzed. and want you
TO treat me as you did the DOCTOR
You do? Then wait III mix the
tose for you
And she did so. She brought it to him
made him take gulp, and he sat down
Immediately on the floor, white and chok-
ing. There was quite the look OF hero
inc about the little widow then.
Now go home" she said kindly: Ego
10 bed, and let me know tomorrow how
you feel And, casting strange. be.
wildered look at her he obeyed
Now after it was twilight the little wo.
man closed the shop, went to her room,
put on her neat, old-fashioned bonnet.
and going down stairs, locked her house
door from the outside, and was on the
pavement when up came the servant from
the bakers.
What's the matter with you ?" asked
the little widow.
80, mem he's took so bad that he can't
speak, and he's calling for YOU all the
time -
80 know what's the matter with him
Come inside, Jane, and I'll send him
something to cure him
Then Jane went inside. and the little
woman mixed a tumblerlu Of certain
compound.