The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-07-17

hand. stood staring with astonishment.
What does that mean, ask your
"'Deed, dunno, sar, less it's some be-
nighted trabeler in search o shelter out'n
de Storm
"Humph! and in search of supper, too, of
course, and everybody gone away or gone to
bed but you and me-"
At this moment the ringing was followed
by loud knocking.
"Marse, don't les You and me listen to it,
and then we amt bliged to sturb ourselves
wild answering of it," suggested Wool.
What, sir do you think that l am going
to turn deaf ear to a stranger that comes to
my house for shelter on such night as this?
Go and answer the bell directly"
YES, sar."
"But stop-look here-mind, I am not to
De disturbed. If it is traveller, ask him in;
set refreshments before him, show him to
bed. I'm not going to leave my warm room
to welcome anybody tonight, please the
Lord. Do you hearT'
Yes, sar," said the darby retreahng.
AS Wool took shaded taper and opened
the door leading from his masters chamber,
the wind was heard bowling through the
long passages ready to burst into the cozy
bedroom.
''Shut the door, You scoundrelr' roared
Old Hurricane, folding the skirt of his warm
dressing-gown across his knees, and lowering
closer to the fire.
Wool quickly obeyed, and was heard re-
treating down the steps,
"Whewp' said the old man, spreading his
hands over the blaze with a look of comfort
able appreciation. What would induce me
to go abroad on such night as this? Winds
blowing great guns from the northwest
snow falling fast from the heavens and rising
just as fast before the wind from the ground
cold as Lapland, dark as Erebus No tell
ing the earth from the sky Whew!" and to
g.. Al. Ir1rr
poured out another glass of smoking punch,
and began to sip it.
"How | thank the Lord that | am not
doctorl If l were doctor now, the sound of
that bell at this hour of the night would
brighten me; | should think some old woman
had been taken with the pleurisy, and wanted
me to get up and go outin the storm-to turn
out of my warm bed to ride ten miles through
the snow to prescribe for her. A doctor
never can feel sure even in the worst of
weathers, of good nights rest. But, thank
heaven, am free from all such annoyances,
and if l am sure of anything in this world it
is of my comfortable sleep" SAID Old Hurri-
cane, as he slipped his punch, smacked his
lips and toasted his feet
AT this moment Wool re-appeared.
"Shut the door, you villain Do you in
tend to stand there holding it open on me all
night?" vociferated the old man.
Wool hastily closed the offending portals,
ana hurried TO his master S Slue.
We'll, sir who was it rang the bell?''
please, marster, sir, it wer de Reberend
Mr.. Parson Goodwin"
Goodwin? Been to make sick-call, l
suppose, and got caught in the snow-storm.
| declare. it is as bad to be parson as it is
to be doctor! Thank the Lord am not a
parson, either! II I were, now, l might be
called away from my Cozy armchair and fire.
side to ride twelve miles to comfort some old
man diving OF quinsy. Wool, here-help me
into bed; pile OH more comforters, tuck me
up warm, put bottle of hot water to my
feet, and then go and attend to the Parson,"
said the old man, getting up and moving to-
ward his inviting couch.
"Sar! sar! stop sar, if you pleased" cried
Wool, going after him.
"Why, what does the old fool mean?" ex-
claimed Old Hurricane, angriy.
"Sar, de Reverend Mr. Parson Goodwin say
how he must see you yourself, personable,
alone'
''See me, You villain Didn't you tell him
that had retired?'
Yes, marse, [ tell him how you wer' gone
TO bed and asleep more'n an hour ago, and
he ordered ME to come wake you up, and
say how it were matter O life and death"
Life and death! What have to do with
life and death? | won't stir If the Parson
wants to see me, he will have to come up
hereI exclaimed Old Hurricane. suting the
action to the word by jumping into bed and
drawing all the comforters and blankets up
around his head and shoulders.
Mus fetch his reference UP, sar?'
Eyes. l wouldn't get up and go down to
-Washington-shut the door, you ras-
cal, or I'll throw the bootjack at your wood
en- head"
Wool obeyed with alacrty and in time to
escape the threatened missile
After an absence of few minutes he was
heard returning, attending upon the foot
steps of another And the next minute he
entered. ushering in the Rev. Mr.. Goodwin,
the parish minister of st. Mary's.
How do you do? How do YOU do? Glad
to see YOU, sir! glad to see you, though
obliged to receive you in bed Fact is, |
caught cold with this severe change of
weather, and took a warm negus and got to
bed to sweat it of. You'll excuse mel Wool,
draw that easv-chair M to NV bedside for