The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1884-10-09

that diabolical and systematic at.
tempt has been made upon my life.''
Con mine, sir in this instance ~
grimly rejoined the doctor. '.It is an
outrageous affair, and must be looked
into. Who filled this glass?'
Richard replied Miss Branson.
'Who is Richard?" asked the doc
tor.
"A domestic"
"Send him here at once" per.
emptorily ordered the doctor.
MIR. Branson stared with admiration
at his visitor; he was man of nerve,
OF purpose and of promptness; he
would certainly unravel the mystery,
''This man Richard,' the doctor
asked, lis he a colored man?''
"A mulatto."
''Compos-mentis?''
"A tritle simple minded, suspect. -
"How long has he been with youe''
''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. d
Misunderstanding fellow, with high
cheek bones and watery eyes.
.'Did you drop any needles into it?''
asked the doctor.
''Golly, nor exclaimed the man.
''Dar's no needles in it. It's an old
cranky notion of Mr.. Branson's. He
keeps us all on an edge about it,
''Oh, he does. eh?' frowned the doc
tor. ''Well, it is no fancy
''Dar's no needles in the water,' de-
clared the man.
well see," said the doctor, as he
thrust the magnetized knifc-bladc into
the glass. "What are these, pray?''
indicating a number of dangling
needles.
There was something comical in the
way the mans eyes dilatcd.
''Dey is needles, sab, sure as you
live!' he exclaimed. ''Dey must jist
been in the cooler. l didn't put 'em
in; swear didn't sah!'
''Your services here end with to-
day"' the doctor sternly said. ''If
there is any money due you Mr.. Bran
son 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 doctor 5
order.
II owe you weeks wages, which
Kate will pay you at once he said.
Nov 60 and be thankful didn't have
you up before magistrate
The man bestowed fierce, angry
glance upon the doctor, and then slowly
and sul]enly left the room.
MIR. Branson and the doctor con-
versed for an hour upon various topics.
The old gentleman was wonderfully
pleased with him, and cordial in his in
vitation to him to call again.
Miss Branson accompanied the doc
tor to the door.
you father is cured" he said.
ado you think SOP she asked, her
handsome eyes on his face. 1--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 your he gratefully said.
''You were rather hard on Richard, -
reminded Miss Branson, with smile.
Il wronged him. admitted the doc
tor. ''But-I had to assail some one.
Can you explain the matter to him,
and procure him situation else
where?'
II will try she replied.
The doctor bowed. and then hurried
back to his office. He paved 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.
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 frequent visitor at the
house of Mr.. Branson, and finally
married the fair, dark-eyed young girl
who had brought him his first case.