The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-06-02

and recall him, big, shapeless indistinct,
in the semi-darkness, as he sat under the
mulberry tree singing:
swish was in Tennessee
sitting in my cheer,
jug o'whisky by my side
An arms sreun' my DEAR
This was his favorite. Who shall
doubt that it expressed to him all the
poetry, romance, passion of life?
After time Uncle Bremmer fell ill.,
and We sent for doctor.
DR.. Trattles Jex was the medical man
of our country. He lived in Middleburn,
several miles away, and he came trot-
ting over on a great big horse, with a
pair of saddle bags hanging like Gill
pins bottles, one on either side. He
looked as diminutive as a monkey
perched on the tall horses back, and in =.
deed, he was u "wee bit pawky body"
as was said of Tommy Moore. But,
bless me! he was as ponpous and self-im-
portant as though he had the world with
his little lever. A red handkerchief,
carefully pinned across his chest showed
he had lungs and mother. His boots
were pointed to the last degree His pink
and beardless face betrayed his youth,
and his voice-ah! his voice. Whether
it was just changing from from that OF
youth to that of man, or whether, like
reading and writing, it "came by 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. Huckleston. hope the
baby has not had an attack?'
l popped into the dining room to gig
gle. but little we'll bred Mabel did not
even smile.
"Oh, no. she cried, sit is Uncle
Brimmer."
The doctor offered to see him at once
Mabel got up to lead the way. Up to
this moment l warrant it had not struck
her as anything out of the way that she
must invite DR.. Jex to climb ladder
and crawl through window to get at
his patient. But as she looked at him.
speckless, spotless, scented, curled. then
at the ladder leaning against the wall in
disreputable, rickety sort of a way, a
sense of incongruity seemed borne in on
her soul. To add to her dismay and my
hilarity, we saw that Uncle Brimmer
had hung out of the window some mys-
FERROUS under-rigging that he wore.
Long, red and ragged, it Haunted in
the breeze" as picturesquely as the
American flag on Fourth of July.
II am afraid. Doctor, it will he little
awkward" faltered Mabel; Uncle
Brimmer is up there and she waved
her lily hand.
can you'll have ter climb de ladder"
put in Nancy Pal, with disrespectful
chuckle.
1 thought the little doctor gasped;
but he recovered himself gallantly and
said:
''As a boy | have climbed trees, and
think / can ascend ladder as a man."
and he smiled.
We watched him. He was encubered
by the saddle bags, but he managed
very well, and had nearly reached the
top, when suddenly Uncle Brimmers
him the look of a snail halfway out of
its she'll
Heres my pulse, Doctor" he cried
blandly, extending his bare arm:
'Tain't no place for you up here. An
tongue for inspection.
The doctor settled himself on rung
of the ladder. quite willing to be met
halfway. IfOIcSslOndl lnu ulTleS began,
when
"A den sound struck like rising knell."
GOOD gracious" exclaimed Mabel.
what is that?'
Nancy Pal sprang up; with distended
eyes, almost letting the baby fall.
Again.
Nearer, clearer, deadlier than be-
fore"
"Sakes alivel Miss Mabel" cried
Nancy, ''ole Mr.. Simmons bulls done
broke loose!'
She was right. A moment more, and
in rushed the splendid, angry beast,
believing, paving the ground, shaking
his evil. lowered head, as if the devil was
contradicting him.
DIR. Jex turned scared face. My
lord bull caught sight of the futtering
red rags, and charged the side of the
house. And i give you my word the
next instant the ladder was knocked
from under the doctors feet, and he was
clinging frantIcally around the neck of
Uncle Brimmer.
Fearful moment.
Pull him in, Uncle Brimmer-pull
him in" shrieked Mabel, dancing about.
II can't, hOney--I cant" gasped the
choking giant; s'I'm stuckr'
Hold me up" cried the doctor;
''send for helpr