Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1882-03-02
Au @rioiual Storg.
Written for the Yorkville Enquire
THE HOUSE ON THE HILL,
BY HERBERT JOHNSON.
CHAPTER XII.

BY HERBERT JOHNSON.
CHAPTER XII.
Mr.. Erskine's sickness proved more serious
than any one had anticipated. On the fourth
day his old housekeeper, Mrs. Perry, came over
to announce to the Mays that she didn't know
what to do with him, for he refused to see a
doctor, and she was quite sure he needed ad-
vice.
"Ask Captain Russell to 60 and see him" "
suggested Mrs. May. s'He knows a good deal
about sickness, and perhaps he can help him. "
"But it would be taking sort of liberty,
don't you see, ma'am, for me to 60 after the
Captain. don't know the old gentleman very
well and, besides, Pm not sure how Mr.. Frs
kline would take it.'
''Mr. Erskine would be glad to see him, I
know, for they are very good friends. Sophy,
suppose you go to the cottage and speak to
him about it," said Mrs May.
Sonhy was quite willing, and Immediately
went over to the cottage, where she was still a
daily visitor. She found the poor old Captain
sitting in melancholy attitude, with his Bible
open on the table before him, though, from his
absent expression, it seemed that his thoughts
were engrossed with some other subject. He
looked up as she entered, and taking off his
spectacles, leaned back in his chair with a
heavy sigh.
"Well, my lass, good morning." he said.
''How's mother to-day ?''
"a little better, thank you, sir. Have you
heard that Mr.. Erskine is i'll 20
''nl ?-no. heard something about a cold.
Has it turned into anything worse ?''
''His housekeeper seems to think 50 and
you go?"
ITO be sure will, if he wants me. He has
done me many good turn" said the captain,
slowly rising to his equity feet. "I'm glad of
anything to do-anything to rouse me from
my own thoughts"
81 hope the walk won't tire you too much,
sir"
"No, my dear, no. 1 am only little stiff
to-day. The fact is, 1 need exercise. Just
help me on with my great-coat, will you
Now my stick; see it in the corner, yonder
There, thank you, my dear. I'll set off at
once.''
Sophy stood watching his still sturdy, though
bent figure, as.he trudged away, then thought
fully retraced her steps to her own home.
Was Mr.. Erskine very sick, she wondered ?
She hoped not. 1t would be so lonely for him
to 60 through fit of illness in that big house,
with only the servants about him. Once it
would have seemed a natural thing for her to
60 to him, to offer to be of some assistance
but a feeling of timidity restrained her from
doing 80 now.
The Captain found him sitting before small
fire, wrapped in dressing-gown, and shiver-
ing, though the day was warm. He saw, at a
glance, that this was no common cold.
"My dear sir" he said, as he took his prof
fered hand, which shook as with an ague fit,
''you must really send for doctor. Your
skin is burning hot.''
"And yet am cold," replied Mr.. Erskine.
81 have been trying since yesterday to get
warm, and can't. Mrs. Perry, who cannot
realize the pleasure of sitting by fire nJuly,
won't make as large one as WANT
''Thisis plenty large enough, and too large
for your good. You should get into bed and
cover up, if you are cold," said the Captain.
81 shouldn't wonder if you were in for typhoid
fever. I've had it once.'
'sNonsense," said Mr. Erskine, trying to
laugh. "It's nothing but cold, which has
taken hold of me in wrong place.
sit will take hold of you in worse place,
if you are not careful. Take my advice and
60 directly to bed.''
Mr.. Erskine objected, first saying that he
was comfortable where he was, and then that
he was not equal to the exertion Of moving
from his seat. The Captain insisted and Of
fered to help him. Finally, not without trou-
BILE, he carried his point. With his assistance,
the patient was disrobed and installed in his
bed, where, with three blankets piled upon
him, he still declared himself chilly.
s'Now, what doctor will you have-Stanley,
or the other man, in East Chatham 20
stNeither. won't have any doctor at all.
If you bring one here shall not see him."
The Captain looked at him, meditatively, fol
a moment. "Are you fixed in that determine.
tion 20 he asked.
'sPerfectly. Youknow am aresolute man. y
"Well, will you let me prescribe for you in
stead 20
81 will, and thank you that is, if you know
anything about it,"
81 know enough to help you at any rate, u
said the Captain, adding soto roce, as he turned
away, "By tomorrow he'll be out of his head,
and then We'll have medical man here in
spite of him.
His prediction was right. Mr.. Erskine grew
c{a Of iptn
BILE shivering, the cold fit passed off in a
scorching fever, and he was glad to have his
blankets taken off, His head ached as though
it was ready to split; his throat was dry and
burning and before the next morning he was
delirious The Captain, who had already made
use of such remedies as he was familiar with
sent off messenger at daybreak for DR.. Stan,
ley, who arrived as soon as could reasonably
be expected. He approved of what the volun
teer physician had done, and confirmed his
opinion AS to the nature of the disease.
sJt>s +vnho;d ond M mist AXE. a SpriOlIs