Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1880-12-03
ess than a wear afterward the old man

less than a year nfterward the old man
died. There were none of the Ashtons
left In Bloomville, and people ceased to
talk of Joe. For two or three years his
name was scarcely mentioned. Then
there came a rumor that he was with
his uncle, q rich old bachelor In the
West Indies. Some sailor from the
port had zen and talked with him
there, but still Emily heard no sound.
She had up 10 this time believed him
dead. Other lovers sought her favor,
but all in vain. She should never mar
as she was. She was too busy to in
dulge in any vain regrets, for great mis-
fortunes had come to the family, and
she was obliged to teach school to keep
her mother, Aunt Debby and herself
from actual want. In the first place
the bank at the "Port, !" where all their
possessions with the exception Of the
rocky little faria upon which they
lived, were placed, failed. Then
the crops failed entirely one
year, the best cows sickened
and died, and, in the midst of it all,
Mrs. Rollins fell i'll of fever which
lasted two or three weary months. The
farm was mortgaged in order to pay the
Doctors bill, and since that time every
thing seemed to go wrong. ssa r ~ (
Bless me-" said Miss Debby, sud.
denly rushing into the room, "two men
are a-comin' through the gate bringin'
somethin' that looks like another man
ez like as not somebody's got hurt"
And she flew to open the outside door.
"Man hurt, got run away with, Deb
by, IN you'll hev to take him in, seein'
this Is the nearest house," said Mr..
Harding, one of the neighbors, who,
with his son, q stout lad of eighteen, was
carefully bearing limp and seemingly
lifeless body. ar ,ur,E
I" Good grashus! he's dead, kin see
by the looks Of his face that he's a
corpse" exclaimed Miss Debby, while
Emily hastily led the way to the best
bedroom. ~ g
"Lor', no, he's out of his head,
though, and dangerous, I'm afeard. It's
the stranger that came to the hotel tel
the corner day before yesterday. He
brought q wild horse with him from the
city," said Mr.. Harding. ''Tom, you
stay here with the wimmen-folks, they
might git scarf, you know" turning to
his son, "while I'll drive after the Doc.
tor as fast as can." r
Emily regarded the man with a
strange, half-romantic interest. His
features, though bronzed to such an ex.
tent that she believed him to be of q
dark-colored race, were singularly hand.
some. He was, apparently, about thirty
years old. A dark, curling beard
adorned his chin and half concealed O
rather obstinate, determined mouth. A
quantity of loose, dark hair fell over q
broad brow, which was nodded after Q
different pattern from those of the slow
unambitious young farmers and rough
sailors whom Emily was accustomed tc
see. His eyes were tightly closed, the
jet-black lashes sweeping his brown
cheek. Upon one of his long aristocratiC
looking fingers glistened brilliant dia
mond in an odd setting. Emily, who
was as full of romance as a very young
girl, and who had been reading Eastern
poetry, thought that he looked like ar
Eastern king. A terrible bruise reveal
ed itself on the left temple, and being
placed on the back of his head, he turn
ed it quickly with moan of intense suf
fering.
"He don't b'long nowheres round
here, but, somehow, he looks dretfu
familiar, don't you think so, EmilyP'
said Aunt Debby.
az fancied that there was when frs
glanced at him." replied Emily, "but o
course it was only fancy. 1t is eviden
that he is a gentleman. Fl
"Yes, some great gentleman sait
timid, little Mrs. Rollins, regarding th'
diamond ring with sort of awe.
Miss Debby hurried to make fire OIL
the hearth, while Emily proceeded tx
bathe the strangers head very gentl,
with cold water. This seemed to sooth,
him for time, for he became immedi
ately quiet, then he commenced to NUT
ter incoherent words, and to max,
startled EXPLANATIONS.
"No, no, she won't see me! she won
speak to me! 1t is too late!" he cried
looking Emily full in the face with hi
wild, burning eyes.
The Doctor came bustling in, bearing
his huge medicine chest. e
81 don't think you can do any thing
Doctor, the mans in q dretful way
Completed like furriner, amt hep
said Aunt Debby.
"What is itp Got his head brokep'
inquired the Doctor. as fsUia
" No matter, it wasn't good for much
it led its owner into the wrong track,
said the patient, regarding the Docto
fixedly. Then he commenced to raw
and mutter again.
"Lor', did you hear what he sal,
about gettin' onto the wrong trackP'
whispered Miss Debby. "Like ez not
he's burglar, reg'lar cut-throat.
amt sure it's safe to hev him il
the house, if he is a-dyin', but
lor', he's human bein', m we must d.
all we KEN" etr T
"Too many people in tho room,
growled the Doctor. "Miss Emily, yo
come and help me with these bandages
If you would leave the room for a while
marm," turning to Miss Debby, "i
would be better for the patient. Talk
ing excites him."
Miss Debby Indignantly remained q
her post, but condescended to kee
silence. 1 0tr7 aHa
"What kind Of a fellow is that hire
man of yours-Seth, l meanp" inquire
the Doctor. ild a is
"Rather stupid, but faithful in th
EXTREME" replied Emily.
Wouldn't fall asleep at his post If !,
sat up three nights runningp"
l 81 think not" ,.
"Then have him sent for at once.n
Seth appeared huge man who ha
the faculty of moving like mouse
"You are not to take your eyes off thi
man one moment until six o'clock tt
morrow morning. If you see an
change in him, come for me at once
Miss Emily will watch while you are al
sent" And the Doctor, having mike
his medicines and prepared his bant
ages, pinned long list of directions o
Seth's coat, and prepared to take hi
departure.
"Do you think he will livep" il
quired Emily, following the Doctor int
the hall.
"Tell you better tomorrow. Th
crack in the skull ant SO much as tn
hurt in the temple. Much depends o
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