The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1878-09-25
Perkins could volunteer to goin hei

stead.
eyes" said Mrs. Perkins to herself,
Kit is a shame. He seems to think
she's made of cast iron and India rub.
berthe old tormentr
With this rather illogical expires
sion of her opinion, Mrs. Perkins re-
sumed her Knitting more vigorously
than ever. f.+
Meanwhile Theodore fastened up
stairs into a closely curtaiRed sick.
room, where a querrulous old gentle
man lay tortured with a great deal Of
"hypo" and very little actual illness.
But Uncle Joseph White chose to
believe that he was very ILL., and who,
pray, was a better judge Of the state
Of his bodily health than himself?
He screwed his face up into the
samblancc ofan cracker as his neice
hurridly entered the apartment and
came to his bedside.
Give been humping on the floor
till my arms are ready to drop out Of
their sockets !" he groaned. care
you all deaf down stairs ? or has old
Perkins forgotten there is anyone else
in the world but herself and her
snutf-box :"
I'm very sorry uncle"
'' ACTIONS speak louder than words"
snarled Uncle Joseph, ungraciously.
"TIow do you feel now, Uncle
Joseph" Asked Theodore, sooth-
ingly.
"I'm worse y
Do Are your
''Pulse higher-skin hot-tacetlush-
ed; of course I'm worse. This con-
founded hot room is enough to throw
anyone into fever Open every door
and window-quick y IT,.
Without an instant's hesitation
Theodore unbarred the blinds, and
threw open the four large windows
and two doors. The light from the
western sky streamed like flood of
fiery radience into the room; the
draft, whirling through, caught up
futtered the leaves Of
books, and even upset Uncle Joseph's
pet bottle of medicine.
"O-w-w-w !" roared the sick man
with vehemence that proved his
lungs, at least, to be quite free from
"do You want to blind me
to blow me away"
,phl" - . m : a ''"'''- i'""iA - os-1
"Shut the windows quick-draw
he curtains % groaned Uncle Joseph.
Who's that batterinG down the
loor T.
Its only very gentle knocking
Uncle"
"Then I'm nervous. Go and see.
Presently Theodore returned.
dts Major Crawford, Uucle; he
sends his compliments, and wishes to
know how you are"
"Tell him to 90 to the deucem
ayes, Uncle
"Well," said Uncle Joseph, as his
neice returned to his bedside, after a
momentary absence, "what did he
say?''
'1Ie seemed very much offended,
Uncle
"Ofended! 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 half way upon his elbow,
"you didn't tell him that?"
Eyes, I did, Uucle. You said your
self, Tell him to 60 to the deuce"
Mr. Joseph White fell back, fiat
and motionless, among his pillows.
Theodore, you are fool!"
II am very sorry Uncle" said The
odora, 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 her in.
tellect and turned her brain ?"
"Give me my water-9ruel, he said
briefly. after a few moments ponder
ing over the unwelcome possibility.
Theodore brought in neat little
china bowl, with silver spoon lying
on the snowy napkin that tlanked it
on the tray.
Uncle Joseph took one taste, and
threw down the spoon with petu-
liant sound, not unlike bark.
Trash /! trash Ihsipid as dishwa-
ter Throw it to the pigs .----
Thnndnra took tho howl and Stnrt.