Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1881-05-09

kind neighbor had brought in some
brandy, and old Ronaldson had taken
several glasses, and pronounced it capt.
tai; which everybody said was sure
sign that she was coming to himself. "
One of his tender-hearted nelghbors,
who had helped herself to breakfast
cupful of this medicine was shedding
tears profusely; and as she kept rock
ing from side to side, nursing her ell
bows, she cried bitterly: "Poor Mr..
Ronaldson's lost his senses, poor man
lost his senses p
The next instant DIR. Macnab appear
ed. Old Ronaldson stepped forward,
shook him warmly by the hand. and
said +: "I'm truly glad to see you doc
tor. You will soon put it all right.
l have only lost my senses-that's what
these women are making all this con-
founded row about"
"Let me feel your pulse" said the
doctor, gently.
'sOn. nonsense, doctor" cried Ronald
son-"nonsense, I've only lost my
senses and made as if he would fly at
the head of drawers, dust, and rubbish
which lay in the centre of the floor, and
have it all raked out again.
"Oh, lost your senses have you ?"
said the doctor, with bland smile.
you'll soon get over that-that's a
trihe." But he deliberately pulled out
his big gold repeater and held Ronald
son by the wrist. "Just as | feared, !"
whispered the doctor to me, with much
solemnity-'just as | feared. Pulse
ninety five, eye troubled, face flushed,
much excitement" etc. So there and
then, Old Ronaldson was doomed.
1t did not wish painful scene; SO,
when 1 got my certificate signed by the
doctor, | quietly slipped out, got pair
of horses and close carriage, and ask
ed Mr.. Ronaldson to meet me, if he felt
able, at the inn in half an hour as
felt sure a walk in the open air would
do him good. He gladly fell in with
| this plan. and promised to be with me
at noon certain.
As | have said, he is an old soldier,
was an officers servant in fact, and is a
most tidy and punctual person. But
old Mrs. Birnie, careful soul, in hel
anxiety to keep matters right, made bad
worse. Ronaldson, before going out, IN
sisted on shaving; and Mrs. Blrnie had
with much thoughtfulness, the moment
he began to make preparations for this
put his razors out of the way. Here
upon, he got worse and worse, stamped
and stormed, and at last worked himself
up into a terrible passion.
l grew tired waiting at the inn, anc
so returned, and found him in a sac
state. When he saw me, he cried "Ol
Mr.. MLauchlin, the devils in the hous,
this day."
VERY true" said Mrs. Birnie to mt
in an aside. "You see. sir, he speak
sense-whiles.
"Everything," he went on. "has gon
against me this day; but" said he
an get out of this if my beard neve
comes off. Hand me my Wellington
boots, Mrs. Birnie. hope you hav
not swallowed them too y
The moment Ronaldson began to dray
on his boots, affairs changed as if b
magic There % cried he triumphant
ly-"there is that confounded paper Q
yours which has made all this row
See, Mrs. Birnie," be exclaimed. flour
ishing my census paper in his hand
"l've found my senses !"
..Oh," cried the much-affected widow
81 am glad to hear it, and in her et
static JOY she rushed upon the old so
dier, took his head to her bosom, an
wept for very joy. | seized the oppol
! tune moment to beat hasty retrea
and left the pair to congratulate eac
other upon the happy finding of Oh
Ronaldson's senses.
: In the afternoon, | called up g
| Whinny Knowes, to get their schedule
and Mrs. Cameron invited me to stay
> tea, telling me what day they had ha
at the "Whins' with the census papers
5 First of ALL" said she, "the mast
: there"-pointing to her husband-"sa
, seriously that every one must tell the
e ages, whether they were married or nc
and whether they intended to be marie
and the age and occupation of the
i. sweethearts-in fact that every parti
: ular was to be mentioned. Now, M
i. M'Lauchlin, our two servant lasses a
i real nice girls; but save me what
: fuster this census has put them in. j
: net has been ten years with US, and is
o most superior woman, with good sens
: but at this time she is the most distre;
r ed of the two. After family worsh
y last night, she said she would like
It word O. the master himself All righ
1t says John, with slight twinkle in
20 eye.
o "When they were by themselves.
l. net stood with her Bible in her lar