Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-12-17

had hung out of the window some mysterious
underrigging that he wore. Long, red, and
ragged it faunted in the breeze" As pictur-
es1uely as the American flag on a Fourth Of
July.
II am afraid, doctor it will be little
awkward. =" faltered Mabel "Unclo Brimmer
is up there :" and she waved her lily hand.
''An' you'll have ter cline de ladder" put
in Nanky Pal, with disrespectful chuckle.
l thought the little doctor gasped but he
recovered himself gallanty, and said
"AS A BOY l HAVE CLIMBED trees, ami
THINK CAN ASCEND A lddder as q man -
and he smiled heroically.
We watched him. He was encumbered by
the saddle-b bags, but he managed very well,
and had nearly reached the top, when sud
denly Uncle Brimmer's head and shoulders
protruded, giving him the look of snail
half out of its shell.
Here's my pulse, doctor" he cried, bland
ly. extending his barred arm. "Tain't no
place for you up here. An here's my tongue"
Then out went his tongue for Dr. Jex's inspec-
ton.
The doctor settled himself on rung of the
ladder, quite willing to be met half way. Pro-
fessional inquiries began, when
"a deep sound struck like rising knell."
Good gracious!' exclaimed Mabel what
was that p
Nanky Pal sprang up, with distended eyes,
almost letting the baby fall.
Again,
"Nearer, clearer, deadler than before"
"Sakes alive Miss Mabel" cried Nanky,
"ole Mr.. Simmons's bulls done broke loose !!
She was right. moment more and in
rushed the splendid angry beast, believing,
paving the ground, shaking his evil lowered
head as if the devil were contradicting him.
4 -.l nNf
Bull caught sight Of the huttering red rags,
and charged the side of the house. And
give you my word the next instant the lad.
der was knocked from under the DOCTOR
feet, and he was clinging franticaliy round
the neck of Uncle Brimmer.
Fearful moment.
"Pull him in, Uncle Brimmer-pull hiu
in, shrieked Mabel, dancing about
II can't, honey-I can't" gaspcd tn
choking giant; "I'm stuck
"Hod me UP, " cried the doctor. "SENL
FOR help"
Uncle Brimmer seized him by the arm pits
The saddle bags went clattering down, anc
about the head of Master Bull cloud o.
quinne, calomel, Dovers and divers othei
powders and pills, broke in binding confu
| sion.
Aunt Patsey, go for Mr.. Huckleston a
once, called Mabel.
Aunt Patsey looked cautiously out from
the kitchen door. "Yer don't ketch me in d.
yard wild old Simmons's bull" she said, will
charming independence.
Then / shall send Nanky Pal"
'If Nanky Pal goes outen dat house III
break every bone in her body"
Then Mabel began to beg aunt Patsey
let her go, please. I'll give you a whole bag
full of quilt pieces, and my ruby rep polonais
that you begged me for yesterday"
Aunt Patsey's head came out little fur
| thor An what else =
And ruffled pillow-sham," said Mabel
almost in tears, ''and some white sugar, AM
| III make you a hat-and that's dH Non" :"
Il reckon dat's about as much as de chill
is wuth, " said the philosophic mother. lie
her 60"
ely fly :" cried Mabel.
81 amt skeered," said Nanky. amt da
sort. NANNY amt nuther. She was je'
waitin' ter see how much you'd give
Nanky's bare legs scudded swiftly acros
the yard. The bull took no notice of hei
He was still stamping and believing unde
that window. Uncle Brimmer and the doc
tor clung together, and only convulsiv
kick now and then testified to the little man
agony.
Suppose Uncle Brimmer should let go
l suggested, in hollow whisper.
"Oh, hush :" cried Mabel. "The doctor
blood would be on our heads"
''Or the bulls horns"
1t was not far to the tobacco field, and
an incredibly short time brother John cam
riding, followed by half a dozen stout negroe
With some delightful play that gave on
quite an idea of Spanish bull. fight his lore
ship was captured, and our little doctor WI
assisted to the house.
Gone was the glory of DIR. Trattles Jel
His coat was torn his knees grimy, his hanC
scratched, and he looked-yes-as If he La
been crying.
Can you ever forgive us :" said Nab
piteously. She lowered about him like Ii
tie mother. She made him drink two glass
of wine she mended his coat she askC
him if he would not like to kiss the bab.
And finally a wan smile shone in the count
nance OF DIR. Jex. For me- l felt my fa'
purpling and leaving him to Mabel, FL
with brother John to the smoke-house, whe
we-roared.
Uncle Brimmer got well, and went in
see the doctor. He returned with new or
vat, a cane, and several smart articles of q
tire, from which we inferred that in tho
trying moments when he supported the su
pended doctor that little gentleman had o
fered many inducements for him to hold fas
When questioned, he responded chiefly with
cavernous and mysterious smile, only sayin
Master Jex is a gentleman; starch III
starch out he's de gentleman straight.
And brother John, who is somewhat a
quainted with slang. said with great laug
"Well, old man, you had a bully chance
Judge, SO you must be right. "-HdTpei
Week(V