Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1879-09-01

at Folkestone waiting for the steamer,
he bethought himself of the mystic re-
cipe, and fastening to his room, he lock-
ed the door and opened the valise.
There it was. safe and sound, in all
its glory of yellow envelope, red seal,
and blue ribbon. Charlie took it out
turned it over. 1t was very solemn
and ponderous a perfect panacea for all
the evils that flesh is heir to. He turned
it over and over, and finally united the
ribbon, and breaking the seal, drew out
Taking it to the window, he read as fol-
lows:
"Don't get the wrong pig by the ear.
"DR. MATTHEW JOHNS"
Dashing the paper to the floor, Char
lie burst out:
"The old swindler, to cheat me out of
FIVE pounds in that way I'll come up
with him, though. See if 1 don't pay
him off," So he contented himself with
concocting scheme for vengeance in
secret.
Three years passed away before Char
lie Horton finished his studies and re-
turned home. Meanwhile he had chang
ed greatly, and from a smooth-faced
STRIPPING with the merest suggestion of
mustache, he was now bearded like
pard. and looked so different that his
own mother hardly knew him. But he
had not forgotten Dr. Johns, nor his
promised revenge.
1t was Saturday night when the stage
coach sat Charlie Horton down at the
village inn at Honeyhurst. He gave
false name to the landlord, and smoked
cigar with him after supper, and in
quired about the village, without that
functionary once suspecting his idenity.
In the course of the conversation,
Charlie asked "who it was that lived
in that large house with a front garden
down the street."
That's DR.. John's-been here a good
many years clever man. I'll introduce
you to him, if you wish. The doctor
and l are pretty good friends"
"Well," slowly replied Charlie, as if
considering it. che ought to know his
danger, and it would be best to tell him.
Ia - - - 49,. -----------a---
And on they started down the street,
toward the doctors residence.
What did you say was his name ?"
asked Charlie, as they marched along.
'.Dr. Johns
"Johns - Johns ?" said Charlie,
thoughtfully 81 knew fellow in Paris
Charlie Horton by name-who said
he had studied with DIR. Johns, an, old
man, and somewhat of a character.
wonder if your doctor is the same man?"
"To be sure he is" replied the inu-
keeper. 81 knew Charlie Horton well.
He went to France three or four years
ago. So you know him, do ye? The
doctor will be doubly glad to see you if
you bring news from Charlie. He
thought great deal of him."
By this they had reached the doctors
office. and he greeted the landlord heart
lily, and looked inquiringly at the strang-
er. The landlord introduced Charles as
DIR. Holmes, and added that he brought
news from Charlie Horton. At this DIR.
Johns was overjoyed, urged the pseudo
Holmes to come in, and inquired affec-
tionately about his old pupil.
Conversation was carried on for an
hour, when Charlie, looking the doctor
in the face, said:
"Dr. Johns, how is your head now ?"
"First.rate, sir-6rst-rate. Never
felt better in my life r and he certainly
looked it.
"You don't find old age creeping on,
do you. sir p blindly inquired Charlie,
but still looking very intently into the
doctors face.
"Well, little stiffish in the joints
now and then; but-bless you, sir
can ride as many miles and as many
hours as ever | could"
"Dr. Johns" said Charlie, very i'm
pressively. .'do you ever meet in your
practice people who look and feel the
perfect embodiment of health, and yet
whose constitutions are being sapped by
fatal disease, and they not conscious
of it 2"
"Well. yes. have met such cases, !"
replied the doctor.
"And did you ever apply them to
yourself, sir ?" asked Charlie, in solemn
tones.
"Why, DR.. Holmes. what do you
mean? Do you think that my constitu-
tion is undermined by secret disease
Nonsense man !" and he laughed out.
right.
Then Charlie began. He told the
old doctor all that he had told the land
lord, and much more. How he had
many such cases. He knew the doctor
felt his age. and he cleverly used those
symptoms, twisting them about. showing
that it was not age; and in two hours
time the doctor was SO thoroughly fright