The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1881-01-13

diminutive as a monkey perched on the
tall horses back, and indeed he was "a
wee bit pawky body" as was said Of
Tommy Moore. But, bless mel he was
as pOmpous and dself-important 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 voice-ah! his voice!
What treasure it would have been
could he have let it out to masqueraders!
Whether it was just changing from that
of youth to that of man, or whether, like
reading and writing, it "came by ma
ture," can't tell. One instant it was
deep and bass, the next, squeaking and
soprano. No even tenor about that
voicei
BE held ont his hand, with, "Good-
morning, Mrs. Hucklestone. hope the
baby has not had an attack"
popped into the dining-room to gig
gle, but little well-bred Mable did not
even smile.
ooh no." she cried; sit is Uncle Brim-
mer."
The doctor offered to see him at once.
Mabel got up to lead the way. Up to
this moment warrant it had not struck
her as anything out of the way that she
must invite Dr. Jex to climb a ladder
and crawl through window to get at
his patient. But as she looked at him,
speckless, spotless, gloved, scented,
curled, then at the ladder leaning against
the wall in disreputable, rickety sort
of way, a scene of incongruity seemed
borne in on her soul. To add to her
distress and my hilarity, we saw that
Uncle Brimmer had hung out of the
window some mysterious under-rigging
that he wore. Long, red, and ragged,
it ''fiaunted in the breeze" as pictur-
sequely as the American flag on Fourth
of July.
81 am afraid, doctor, it will be little
awkward" faltered Mabel; "Uncle Brim-
mer is up there;" and she waved her lily
hand.
can you'll have to cline de ladder"
put in Nanky Pal, with a disrespectful
chuckle.
I thought the little doctor gasped; but
he recovered himself gallantly, and
said:
Gas q boy have climbed trees, and
think can ascend ladder as a man."
and he smiled heroically.
We watched him. He was encum-
bered by the saddle bags, but he man
aged very well, and had nearly reached
the top, when suddenly Uncle Brim-
mer's head and shoulders protruded,
giving him the look of a snail half out
of its shell.
''Heres my pulse, DOCTOR" he cried,
blandly, 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 inspection.
The doctor settled himself on rung of
the ladder, quite willing to be met half
way. Professional inquiries began,
when
ga deep sound struck like rising knell."
Good graciousr" exclaimed Mabel;
''what is that?'
Nanky Pal sprang up, with distended
eyes, almost letting the baby fall
Again,
''Nearer, clearer, deadlier than before"
''Sakes alive! Miss Mabel" cried
Nanky, "ole Mr.. Simmons bulls done
broke loosel'
She was right. A moment more. and
in rushed the splendid angry beast, bel
lowing, paving the ground, shaking his
evil lowered head as if the devil were
contradicting him.
DIR. Jex turned sacred face. NV
lord Bull caught sight of the fluttering
red rags, and charged the side of the
house. And give you my word, the
next instant the ladder was knocked
from under the doctors feet, and he was
clinging frantically round the neck of
Uncle Brimmer
Fearful moment
'.Pull him in, Uncle Brimmer-pull
him in" shrieked Mabel, dancing about.
81 can't, honey-I can't" gasped the
choking giant; I'm stuck"
''Hold me up" cried the doctor.
"Send for help"
Uncle Brimmer seized him by the arm
pits. The saddle-bags went clattsrinR
down, and about the head of Master
Bull a cloud of quinine, calomel, Dover's
and divers other powders and pills, broke
in binding confusion.
''Aunt Patsey, go for Mr. Hucklestone
at once" called Mabel.
Aunt Patsey looked cautiously out
from the kitchen door. "Yer don't ketch
me in de yard wild ole Simmons bull, -
she said with charming independence.
"Then shall send Nanky Pal"
'1f Nanky Pal goes outen dat house
I'll break every bone in her body"
Then Mabel began to beg: "Aunt Pat
sey, let her go, please. I'll give YOU a
whole bagful Of quilt pieces, and my
ruby rep polonaise that you begged me
for yesterday"
Aunt Patsey's head came out little
further. can what else?"
"And a ruffied pillow SHAM" said Ma
sugar, and Ill make you a hat-and
that's all. Nowv
II reckon dat's about as much as the
chile is wuth," said the philosophic
"Fly! fyp cried Mabel.
81 amt skeered," said Nanky. 'I
She was jes' waitin' ter see how much
you'd give"
Nankys bare legs scudded quickly
across the yard. The bull took no notice
of her. He was still stamping and below.
ing under that window. Uncle Brimmer
and the doctor clung together, and only
kick now and then testified to the little
mans agony.
Suppose Uncle Brimmer should lei
| go?" L suggested in hollow whisper.
ooh, hush," cried Mabel. "The doc
tors blood would be on our heads"
| cor the bulls horns.
| It was not far to the tobacco field, and
in an incredibly short time brother Johr
came riding in followed by half a dozen
stout negroes With some delightful
play that gave one quite an idea of q
Spanish bull fight, his lordship was cap
tured, and our little doctor was assisted
to the house.
Gone was the glory of DIR. Trattles
Jex. His coat was torn, his knees grimy,
his hands scratched, and he looked-yes
-as il he had been crying.