The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1884-10-22
ssNIav he / can. objected the doctor.


He took out his knife, thrust into the
glass the magnetized blade, and when
Me withdrew it "a number of needles
We're adhering teAity for he had adroitly
dropped them into the water.
''What have you TO say now?' he
asked, his eyes upon Kate.
= am convinced, she said.a Why, 1t
is Just horriblep'
The doctor turned to Mr.. Branson, and
said a
| .'sYou do not seem greatly surprisedv'
'.We,l no, !" replied the old gentlemen
with grin. ''it is no new experience
to me. For months | have found needles
in-the water, milk, tea, coffee-in every
thing served up to me to drink. [ can
mot begin to tell-yeu what1 have suffer
ed. / 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.s |
shall ever hold you in grateful remem-
brance, if for no other reason than be-
cause you nave convinced my daughter.
She will, believe. with me, that diabol-
ical and systematic attempt has been
made upon my life.''
| VII UtCItcs SIf, III tlIlo llloOetllOCt
/ w remarked the doctor sit is an out
lageous affair, and must be looked into.
Who.filled this glass ?"
Orchard, = replied Miss Branson.
''Who is Richard ?" asked the doctor.
A domestie." a"
"Send him here at once" 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
certainly unravel the mystery. ~
! ''This man Richard, " the doctor asked,
lis he colored MANI"
@ A mulatto."
Compartments? ?"
"a trif1e simple minded, Isuspect."
GLOW 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-
coded by Miss Branson.
''Did you fill this glass with water ~
the doctor sharply asked
eyes, sab, answered the mulatto, a
harmless looking fellow, with high cheek
bones and watery eyes.
"Did you drop any needles into ~
asked the doctor.
"Golly, now exclaimed the man.
"Dar's no needles in it. It's an old
cranky notion of Mr.. Branson's. He
keeps us all oman edge about it,
Oh, he does, eh?" frowned the doc
tor. "Well, it is no fancy"
Oars no needles in the water, Z de-
clared the mani
"We'll see.., said the doctor, as he
! thrust theft 2,tnetized. knife-blade into
tha alasA Msbeir 81 cF7 dtaassfss. pray &, in
There was mething comical in the
way the man's5eyes dilated.
"Dey's needles, sab, sure's you live ~
he exclaimed.I "Dey must jist been in
the cooler. didn't put 'em in; swear
| didn't, sahln
"Your services here end with to-day ~
the doctor sterhly said. eff there is any
money due vol Mr.. Branson will pay it. -
A dumb-founded look settled upon
the servants face, and he was about to
protest with Fehemence, when Mr..
Branson sternly seconded the doctors
order.
81 owe you'll weeks wages. which
CHOW 90 and be thankful didn't have
you up before a magistrate"
The man bestowed a fierce, angry
and sullenly left the room.
| Mr.. Branson and the doctor conyersed
for an hour upon various topics. The
old gentlemanwas wonderfully pleased
with him, and cordial in his invitation to
call again.
Miss Branson accompanied the doctor
| to the door.
''Your father is cured" he said.
''Do you think so?'' she asked, her
handsome eyes Oh his face. "We will
wait week. That was an admirable
ruse. Take this, please; it is simply a
remembrance"
A roll of something was placed in his
hand.
"Thank you!' he gratefully said.
you were rather hard on Richard, -
reminded Miss Branson with smile.
wronged Him." admitted the doctor.
"But-I had to assail some one. Can
you explain the matter to him, and pro-
cure him situation elsewhere -
81 will try" she replied.
The doctor bowed, and then hurried
back to his Office. He paid the debts
that annoyed him most, and felt like
another man. At the end of the week
he received second voluntary fee from
his fair friend. 'iiH
The tide turned; patients called on
him or sent for him; his practice be-
came assured ; he was soon on the high
road to competency.
HE became a frequent visitor at the
house of Mr.. Branson, and finally mar
ried the fair, dark-eyed young girl who
had brought him his first case
|