The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1882-08-11
BLOOMSBURY, Pa. FRIDAY, AUGUST IL, 1882

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her face comically demure.
81 see no needless" she said.
"Oh, you don't, ehi" sarcastically re-
Joined the doctor "What do you say,
Mr.. Branson o. and he handed the old
gentleman the glass.
"You are right, sir" declared he; 81
see them with the naked eye; and my
sight is none of the best, for am al.
most seventy. But you cannot convince
her."
"May be l can," objected the doctor.
lie took out his knife, thrust into the
glass the magnetized blade, and when
he withdrew it number of needles
were adhering to it, for he had adroitly
dropped them into the water.
"What have you to say non 7" he
asked, his eyes upon Kate.
II am convinced" she said "Why,
it is Just horrible!"
The doctor turned to Mr.. Branson,
and said:
"You do not seem greatly surprised"
"Well, no. replied the old gentle
man, with grin, at is no new exper-
fence to me. For months | have found
needles in the water, milk, tea, coffee
in everything served up to me to drink.
| cannot begin to tell you what have
suffered l called in several physicians,
but they laughed at me, and treated it
as the fancy of disordered mind. You
are the only person who ever detected
the needles, and know you had no
hint of the matter from me or anybody
else shall ever hold you in grateful
remembrance, if for no other reason
than because you have convinced my
daughter. She will believe, with me,
that a diabolical and systematical at
tempt has been made upon my life
"On mine, sir, in this instance"
grimly rtjoined the doctor. SIT is an
outrageous affair, and must be looked
into. Who filed this glass p
"Richard," replied Miss Branson.
"Who is Richard?' asked the doc.
tor.
"a domestic"
"Serd him here at oncc!" perempto-
rily ordered the doctor.
Mr.. Branson stared with admiration
at his visitor; he was a man of nerve,
of purpose and of promptness; he would
surely unravel the mystery.
This man Richard" the doctor
asked, sis he colored man I" ....
"a mulatto."
"Compos mentis 2"
"a tritle simple. minded, 1 suspect"
"How long has he been with you!'
"Three years"
"Ah!" CALCULATED the doctor. "He
must be sent away at once"
The servant came into the room, pre-
ceded by Miss Branson.
"Did you fill this glass with water'"
the doctor sharply asked.
eyes, sah,' answered the mulatto, q
Misunderstanding fellow, with high
cheek bones and watery eyes.
"Did you drop any needles into it ?"
asked the doctor.
"Golly, mol" exclaimed the man.
'Dar's no needles in it. It's an old
cranky notion of Mr.. Brauson's. He
keeps us all on an edge about il"
"Oh, he does, eh?' frowned the doc
tor "Well, it is no fancy"
"Dar's no needles in the water" de-
claired the man.
"Well, see," said the doctor, as he
thrust the magnetized knife blade into
the glass "What are these, pray?'
indicating a number of dangling nee
dies
There was something comical in the
way the mans eyes dilated.
''Dey is needles, sab, sure as you
live!" he exclaimed. "Dey must jist
been in the cooler. / didn't put EN- in
| swear didn't, sab! !"
"Your services here end with to day =
the doctor sternly said. "If there is any
money due you, Mr. Branson will pay
it." ...
A dumb founded look settled upon
the servants face, and he was about to
protest with vehemence, when Mr.
Branson sternly seconded the doctors
order.
81 owe you weeks wages, which
Kate will pay you at once" he said
snow 60, and be thankful / didn't have
you up before magistrate
The man bestowed a fierce, angry
glance upon the doctor, and then slowl,
and sullenly left the room.
| MIR. Branson and the doctor convers
ed for an hour upon various topics
The old gentleman was wonderful,
pleased with him, and cordial in his in
vitation to him to call again.
Miss Branson accompanied the doc
tor to the door.
"Your father is cured" he said.
"Do you think so?' she asked, he
handsome eyes on his face. "We viii
wait week. That was an admirable
ruse. Take this, please; it is simply
remembrance"
A roll OF something was placed in hi
hand. .....
"Thank you! he gratefully said.
"You were rather hard on Richard,
reminded Miss Branson, with a smile.
II wronged him" admitted the doc
tor. Butt had TO assail some on,
Can you not explain the matter TO hin
and procure him situation elsewhere!
| 81 will try" she replied.
| The doctor bowed, and then hurrie
back to his Office. He paid the debt
which annoyed him most, and felt lk
another man. At the end of the wee
he received second voluntary fe
from his fair friend
The tide turned patients called o
him or sent for him; his practice b,
came assured; he was on the high road I
competency. .g
| He became frequent visitor at tn
house of Mr. Branson, and finally ma
ried the fair, dark eyed young girl VII
had brought him his first case [Or
entail Casket.
A Remarkable Scene.