Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-03-31

We stood in the doorway rs he eau
tiously went up the ladder; and after an
exciting moment he pushed himself
through the window, and turning, smiled
triumphantly.
This settled the matter. A cot bed
was procured for Uncle Brimmer, and he
soon became the mainstny of the family.
Checrfully avoiding all the work possible;
indifT,crently as an ostrich eating all he
could find in cupboards or highways
grimly playing hobgoblin for baby;
gnyly twanging his banjo on moonlight
nights-memory recalls thee with a
smile. Uncle Brimmer / can close my
eyes and recall him--big, shareless, in
distinct in the semi-darkness, as he sat
under the mulberry tree singing.
After time Uncle Brimmcr fell i'll,
and we sent for doctor.
DIR. Trattlcs Jcx was the medical man
of our county He lived at Middlcbun,
seven miles away, and he came trotting
over on great bay horse, with Il pair of
saddle-bags hanging like Gilpin's bot
ties, one on either side. He looked as
diminutiye as monkey pcrched on the
tall horses back, and indeed he was "a
wee bit pawky body as was said of
Tommy Moore But bless me hc was
as pompous and selfimportant as though
he had found the place TO stand on, and
could move the world with his little
lever A red handkerchief carefully
pinned across his chest showed that he
had lungs and a mother. His boots were
polished to the last degree. His pink
and beardless face betrayed his youth
and his voicc-ah! his voice What a
treasure it would have been could he
have let itout to omasqucndcrs Whether
it was just changing from that Of youth
to that Of man, or, whether like reading
and writing it "camc 10y nature" | can't
tell. One instant it was deep and bass
the next, squeaking and soprano. No
even tenor about that voice!
He held out his hand with, Good.
morning, Mrs. Hucklestonc. hope the
baby has not had an attack
popped into the dining-room to gig
gle, but little well-brcd Mabel did not
even smile.
"Oh, no, she cried; at is Uncle
Brimmer."
The doctor offered to see him at once.
Mabel got mp to lead the way. Up to
this moment | warrant it had not struck
her rs anything ont of the way that she
must invite DIR. Jcx TO climb ladder
and crawl through window to get at
his patient. But, as she looked at him
spcckless, spotless, gloyed, scented,
curlcd, then at the ladder leaning against
the wall in a disreputable, rickcty sor-
Of way, scene Of incongruity seemed
borne in on her soul. To add to her dis
tress and my hilarity We saw that
Uncle Brimmcr had hung out on the
window some mysterious under-rigging
that he wore. Long, red and ragged, it
" Haunted in the breeze as picturesque
ly as the American flag on a Fourth OF
July.
Il am afraid, doctor, it will be q little
awkward" fal;ered Mabel, "Unclc
Brimmer is mp there" and she waved
her lily hand.
AN you'll have to cline de ladder"
put in Nanky Pal, with a disrcspcctful
chucklc.
I thought the little doctor gaspcd,
but he recovered himself gallantly, and
Said:
"As a boy I have climbed trees, and
think can ascend ladder as o man.
and be smiled hcroically.
We watched him lie was incum.
bcrcd by the saddle-bags, but he man
aged very well, and had nearly reached
the top when suddenly Uncle Brimmcrs
head and shoulders protudcd, giving
him the look Of snail half ont Of its
she'll
Here's my pulse; doctor" he cried,
Misunderstanding his barred arm. "Tain'l
no place for You MP here. An here's my
tongue" Then ont went his tongue
for DR.. Jcy's inspection
The doctor settled himself on a rung
of the ladder, quite willing to be met
half way Professional inquiries began,
when
IS de7p aolal struck like q rising kncll."
Good gmcious!" exclaimed Mabel;
"vhat is that?'
Nanky Pal sprng up, with distended
eyes, almost letting the baby fall.
Again,
Nearer clearer, dcadlcr than before.
"Sakes alive Miss Mabel" cried
Nanky, "ole Mr.. Simmons bulls done