The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1885-08-15

in while So Mr.. Fortescue
(speaking as hoarsely as he could,
and so over-acting that Annie con-
ceived pneumonia, and was thor
oughly frightened) agreed to take
his breakfast apart from his family
and see the doctor as soon as posi-.
BILE.
"You'll be able to swallow soft
boiled egg, and a cup of coffee,
won't your" said Mrs. Fortescue |;
and Ned, who could have eaten
three or four mutton choys with a
relish, had to look i'll and nod ac-
quiescence.
DR.. Norton was sent for, and came
round very promptly, and, as Mrs.
Fortescue was washing the break
fast china, she sent him up to see
her husband, intending to follow
soon.
"I'm in a pickle, and must talk
fast" said the patient, in re-
markably clear, smooth voice, "for
my wife will be up in moment.
To tell the truth, Horton, Ive sham
med sick to get rid Of the house
cleaning, and you must help me
out. Your bill would have come a
month later if / had not, for Annie
is always sick after a spring clean
ing. Now tell her I've got diph-
theric throat-nothing serious, but
that it would be safer for her to
take the children to Aunt Maria's.
81 know your wife too well to inn
agine she'd leave you," said the
doctor, "for all her devotion to the
young ones"
"But she'd take them there, and
then I'll telegraph that Pm better,
and perhaps they'll stay few days.
This lovely weather wont last q
week, and then she'll be glad the
cleaning is put off"
Mrs. Fortescue's voice was heard
giving directions to the servant ;
there was only time for an asserting
nod from the doctor, and she was in
the room, anxious to learn his opin-
ion of the patient.
"a diphtheric throat, ma'am;
there is no cause for alarm-none
whatever yet what is light at
tack for the father might prove fatal
TO a child"
"I'll take them away at once-at
once Ned, you don't think I'll
neglect you? I'll be back to-mor-
row, and you must telegraph to-
night. Doctor, you must telegraph
and let me known the truth"
The two men felt guilty as they
saw that Mrs. Fortescue was really
troubled. 1t was only the vivid re-
collection of the last spring cleaning
and the belief that few days ut
Aunt Maria's "would really do
Annie good that enabled Mr.. For
tescue to carry his part. AS for the
doctor, he assured her that Ned was
perfectly well except for a few spots
on his throat; that the quiet, and
a few days rest from business, would
quite set him up ; and urged her
to stay a day or two with the child
ren, if he could consciously tele-
graph "All's we'll"
Two or three hour later Mrs. For
tescue and the two children drove
to the depot, waving q good bye to
"poor papa" who still stood at the
window, the red flannel still about
throat. DR.. Horton had telegraph
ed to two or three of Ned's chums,
and was to make his next call about
dinner-time, when they hoped the
gentlemen in question would have
arrived. Meanwhile the cook and
waitress were quite relieved as to
masters throat by the hearty meal
he had ordered and enjoyed.
1t chanced that all of the chums
were able to except the invitation.
Jack Downing never could resist
the country in such weather, and
felt he could combine business with
pleasure, for Fortescue had told him
ofthe scenery about his place, and
he was sure of making some sketchs.
Tom Bascomb was medical stud
ent, one who often spent his Sun
days at the Hennery Gas the For
tescue's called their place., and Mr..
Driscombe, a Woodworking man of
business, was fairly showed off by
his wife, who knew how much the
poor man needed u breath of real
country air,
"I'm on the sick list" explained
their host. Nothing worth mem.
tioning except that it gave me a
, chance of a holiday, and as my wife
is off with the children l thought
would enjoy keeping bachelors hall
for few days"
And they did enjoy it Jack
sketohed, talked and smoked; Tom
: refused to think of medicine or dis.
ease, kept them all laughing, and
amused himself at the piano, while