Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-01-04
CURING THE INVALID.

nope, SAID the CHEEKY voice OF Georg,
Latimer, as he entered his uncle's sicl
room.
II am no better, thank you, George
but am as well as l shall ever be, ;
answered q querulous, complaining
voice from the depths Of large easy
chair. There is no cure on this eartf
for me- my malady is incurable."
"Oh, come, come, Uncle, this will
never do! All you need is exercise anc
pleasant company. Come and take {
ride with me this pleasant morning. Il
will do you a world Of good"
what! l take ride? l go joltins
over those terrible roads in a miserable
buggy and on this cold morningP Wha,
. heartless boy you are, and what cold
pitiless people this world contains!'
And the invalid sank back among the
cushions of his easy-chair with groan
and shiver. For although it was q
warm, bright day near the middle OF
June, he had fire blazing on the
hearth. and a heavy shawl folded abou,
his shoulders, and shivered and COM
! planned as though it had boon mid-win-
ter.
Forgive me. uncle; am sure I did
not mean to appear heartless, but quite
the reverse. really thought the ride
would do you good" said the young
| man.
Nothing will do me good" the in
valid replied with heavy sigh and
closed his eyes. Nothing will do me
good. shall take but one more ride,
and that will be to the cemetery"
Before his nephew could reply, the
,door opened, and pale. delicate look
ing lady entered, carrying a tray on
which was arranged as dainty and ap-
petizing breakfast as one could wish
1t consisted Of tea, toast, broiled fowl,
and poached eggs.
My dear. have brought you some
breakfast, which l think you will rel
ish. prepared it myself. and think it
will please you. said the lady, placing
the tray on the table by his side
GOOD gracious, Mary! What do
you mean by bringing all that food in
herep There is enough to supply two
wood-choppers."
.'Why. my dear. am sure there is
not. George could eat all l have
brought and not know he had break
tasted at all, and when you vera we'll
you could have consumed twice as
much. Come, dear. try to take some
thing. l know you will feel much bet
ter for it." said the lady, in . cheerful
voice.
We'll! I wonder If l over was wellr'
said the sick man.
He made u feeble effort to raise him
self in the chair, but failing in the at
tempt, called to his wife to aid him.
Let me help you, uncle, said
George. stepping forward to give the
required assistance.
'.Oh, don'tr' walled the invalid,
turning toward his wife and holding
up both hands as if to ward of blow.
while the young man fell back much
alarmed. '.Do not, 1 implore you!
Do not let him touch me. He il so
big and strong that he will pull me to
pieces"
"Oh! said George. in disgust; lis
that alli 1 really thought something
terrible had happened"
'.All! Is it not enoughe The very
weight of your hands would crush me
to the earth"
Being assisted by his wife into the
required position. he proceeded to tho
task of eating his breakfast He lifted
the teaspoon from the cup with Ian
guild air, as if the weight was too much
for his strength, slipped spoonful OF
the beverage with weary sigh. and
pushed the cup away. The toast Jared
no better. A small bit of the egg was
eaten with little relish, but the fowl
was sent away untasted.
Take the tray away. Mary; l do
not wish for any more" And he sank
back among the cushions with an air Of
the greatest exhaustion.
My dear. you have eaten nothing.
Do try bit Of the fowl; it is excellent.
l assure you," said the lady. ooa1ing-
ly.
II dare say it is very nice," the sick
man replied. but you surely do not
expect dying man to eat?'
The lady. seeing that further efforts
to induce him to partake of the food
she had brought would avail nothing,
took the tray and left the room. fol-
lowed by George. In the hall they
were met by the doctor. who was in
daily attendance on the invalid.
'.How is your husband this morning,
Mrs. Latimer?"
"Well. doctor, do not think he is
any better; indeed, he declares himself
to be rapidly sinking. and says he can
not last many days. Arc you quite
sure his illness is only imaginary! He
is beginning to look badly"
There is nothing the matter with
your husband, madam. absolutely moth
ing, I assure you. He is one of the
worst hypochondriacs have ever met.
1t is not to be wondered at that he
should grow thin and pale. for he has
not eaten enough in the last month to
keep a baby alive. What he wants is
fresh air, and if he does not get it l
will not answer for his life. For no
human being can live long in the at
mosphere he is breathing"
"Can we not devise some plan Of get
ting him out Of his room?" said
George.
'.Do that. young man. and you will
save his life. If we can once get your
uncle out. think we shall find little
trouble in keeping him OUT
So saying. the doctor passed into the
sick room. leaving George and his aunt
together.
A few days later George Latimer en-
tered his uncle's sick room. but this
time very softly. and with q very SOL
emn face.
How do you feel this morning. un-
cle?" inquired the young man, in q
subdued voice.
II am no better, George; Indeed, 1
am sinking rapidly, and do not think l
shall be here next week." came in q
faint voice from the depths OF the easy
chair.
II am very sorry to hear this, uncle.
and we all regret it very much. l sup
pose there is no remedy for your dis
ease. ?''
None whatever" came from the
chair in so faint a voice as to be scarce
ly audible.
..You have made your Will?" Cueried