The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-08-05
81 haven't been well for years, .

fingers, Strengthened and frightened
everything she touched; then, placing
pair of spectacles over her nose,
she proceeded to work at stocking
which she had picked from some corner
of her dress. Rheumatics is dreadful
prevalent in the parts / come from.
Mebby you've had fever, though. No
matter what it is, I'll nuss you till you're
well again. Now, you jest sit com
Portable, and let me talk to you. Johns
well, hope. That boy never had
sick day in his life. l alwus told him
he'd get sickly wife. Got two chill
dren, haven't you? Both to school,
Ell? Oh, you're taking your medicine!
What is it? Wine bittersl Don't be-
lieve it comes up to my summer cordial.
Why, could make fortune out of it
eff l was minded Johns father was a
doctor, you know; one of the good, old
and all his receipts. They call me
doctor down to home, and l do lots o.
cures, l can tell you"
Alice longed to scream-to-fy-to do
all sorts of impossible things, to get out
of the way of this overlooking babble;
but there was nothing to do but to bear
it. Her nerves were on edge; and when
John came home, astonished beyond
measure at this raid on his household,
she came near going into Mysteries.
Aunt Emery James visit was very
beneficial in one way. Alice could en-
Joy the luxury of solitude in her own
room and stolen bits of her borrowed
novels, sure that all the household
would 90 right. Emery Jane was a
prodigious worker. John had never
known what real comfort was since he
left his prim New England home to
make his fortune in the West. The lit
tie ones were kept rosy and shining, for
Emery Jane adored children and had
the secret of attraction for them, so that
they no longer went about with soiled
pinafores; but the neighbors ascribed
it all to the odd, quaint little Miss
Emery Jane.
Emery was keen in her way. She
soon fathomed the trouble in her
brothers. household. Saying little to
his wife for the time, never making
light of her ailments, she watched her
chances and determined to give the self
styled invalid the benefit of her wisdom.
=" Doctors will be the death of you,
Miss Borie," she said one day. "That's
the seventh time you've taken medicine
this morning. How long have you been
living on medicine as a straight alone
diet?"
"I'm sure, Miss Emery, I'd do with
out it if l could But if you knew what
awful feelings l have Sometimes 1
think am going to de-"
" Yes. I've got neighbor to home
whose bin at the pint of death twenty
five times in ten years." said Miss
Emery, solemnly. " It's nothing but
nerves. l took her in hand, and l cured
her. I've got an elixir my poor father
left. Costs proper sight o. money to
put up an ounce, but it never fails"
ooh Emery, what is it? I'd give
a thousand dollars to be cured"
well, I'd cure you for nuthin'.
It's wonderful stuff. Why, people have
been riz right out O. their beds that
were given over"
g l must have it," said Alice. "I'll
take it, and be glad to-"
"I've got some with me-"
ooh, let me see it," said Alice.
Emery went up to her room and soon
returned, holding a two-inch long bot
tie half full of a pure amber-colored
liquid that looked like flame.
How much must l take ?" queried
Alice.
Three drops is a dose. It's pre-
cious," was Emery James reply.
The medicine was measured out and
very eagerly taken.
There, now, you must lay down,
and keep as still as possible for ten
hours; and if by that time a sweat
breaks out, you're all right. If it
don't -
She shook her head.
"And what if it don't?" questioned
Alice.
"Well," said Emery Jane, with a
solemn countenance, "that medicine is
either kill or cure. There's no humbug
about that"
What" screamed Alice, in sudden
terror. "You said it would cure me-"
"And so it will-if it don't do the
other thing"
Oh, you've poisoned me! " moaned
Alice. "I'm sure shall die. Oh! John,
John! Run for John! l feel as if /
were dying already"
Well, my dear, then you'll be nicely
OuJ VI 1OuI odlu
soothingly; for, Pm sure, life must be
a burden to you-and John, too, poor
soul. Then he'll marry some strong
healthy girl, who knows enough to keep
out Of the DOCTORS hands, and have
some comfort of his life. I've often
thought how he might enjoy his home
if he had had such woman as that
pretty, happy creature who called to
see you yesterday. Such rosy cheeks
and bright eyes! l noticed how John
looked at her, and don't wonder"
"Miss Emery, you're a wicked
woman!" cried Alice, with new
energy.
"Well, my dear, amt sick one
thank goodness" said her sister-in-
law, with imperturbable good nature.
"And you're in league with John to
: do away with me,'' sobbed the angry
wife.
"rd do away with myself, if hadn'
any more life than you. And you
ought to be thankful that somebody has
! took you in hand" responded the little
old maid.
d" I'll not die! You shan't kill mep
And Alice founced out of bed like {
, mad creature. never felt stronger
in my life, and Pm going to dress mi
and go right down to Johns store ant
tell him how you've talked to me. II,