The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1885-11-06
FORTEsCUE'S SORE THROAT.

/ spring; genUlo Wluu CaIeSSeu Gue IeI1-
der leaves which had burst forth in the
night; bird twittered now and again
with that peculiar clearness of sound
! that only the first birds of the season
seem to possess, and the sun had sent
his heralds of the dawn far in advance
long lines of yellow, purple and GRIM
son, with tender pink and blue still
higher in the sky.
Mr.. Fortescuehad risen early onpur-
pose to feast his eyes and mind on the
beauty of the landscape, and stood lost
in thought at his dressing-room WIN
/ dow. Aplain business man, a thorough
going man, his neighbors called Ned
Fortescue; but he had an artists eye
and keen poetic instinct.
But suddenly his face clouded-he
had heard a sound that he understood
only too well. A harmless noise you
would have thought it-merely a slight
jar of iron against wood as Mrs. Fostes-
cue turned the bed-key.
'She's taking down our bed, as I'm
alive!' soliloquized Mr.. Fostescue.
'"That means house-cleaning, and no
peace for week at least. What can
be done? Is there no way out of it?
I'm sure every carpet in the house was
lifted last fall" The husband stood
| looking out of the window, but no
longe1. needing the sunrise-he was re-
volving o. plan. 'sIll risk it," he said
at last, and proceeded to hunt up
some strips of flannel Just as hewas
swathing his throat in long strip of
red flannel Mrs. Fortescue came to the
door.
'pve taken the bed down, Ned, and
shall set to work at once. Hear the
birds! it's high time we were through
house-cleaning. But, my dear Ned,
what is the matter? Don't tell me
you've sore throat!'
, Mr.. Fortescue nodded, pointed to
his throat, and shook his head, as if
solemnly to Indicate that speech was
an impossibility.
"Dear me! how very unfortunate. I
can't possibly clean house with you
I ill"
/ Mr.. Fortesque turned suddenly to
the window lest his delight should be-
tray him.
':We must send for DR.. Horton" ="
continued his wife, "and you must not
! leave these rooms. [ don't wish to
alarm you, my dear, but you know
diphtheria is so catching, and the chill
| dren-"
For q moment our hero wavered; he
had not any idea of being guuarantined.
Besides, the doctor would see through
his deception. If only his. wife had
held her tongue for few minutes he
would have confessed his wickedness,
and thrown himself upon her mercy;
but she, foolish woman, did not know
when to keep still. "Tll tell you, Ned,
what I'll do" she went on, ''if it's not
clear diphtheria, I'll just run off with
the children up to Aunt Maria's, and
then, if you are not better, I'll leave
them there and come back. To be
sure, want to nurse you"
Here was a respite! No house-clean-
ing, and a house all to himself at that
loveliest time of the year. Annie was
such a slave to her house and her chill
dren that he couldn't be blamed if she
seemed tiresome once in while! So
Mr.. Fortescue speaking as hoarsely
as he could, and SO over acting that
Annie began to fear pneumonia, and
was thoroughly frightened) agreed to
take his breakfast apart from his fam
lily and see the doctor as soon as pos
sible.
you'll be able to swallow q soft
boiled egg, dear, and q cup of coffee,
won't you?" said Mrs. Fortescue; and
Ned, who could have eaten three or
four mutton chops with relish, had
to look i'll and nod acquiescence.
DR.. Horton was sent for, and came
round very promptly, and, as Mrs.
Fortescue was washing the breakfast
china, she sent him up to see her hus-
band, intending to follow soon.
"Tm in a pickle, and I must talk
FAST" said the patient, in a remark
ably clear, smooth voice, ''for my wife
will be up in a moment. To tell the
truth, Horton, I've slammed sick to
get rid of the house-cleaning, and you
must help ME out. Your bill would
have come in a month later if / had
not, for Annie is always sick after a
spring cleaning. Now, tell her I've got
a. diphtheritic throat thing serious,
but that it would be safer for her to
take the children to Aunt Meria's.
"I know your wife too well to inn
agine she'd leave you," said the doc
tor, '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 IL stay a few days. This
lovely weather won't last q week, and
then she'll be glad the cleaning is put
off,"
Mrs. Fortescue's voice was heard
giving some 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 opinion
ofthe patient.
"Adiphtheritic throat, ma am; there
is no cause for alarm-nonew whatever,
yet what is a light attack for the faith
er might prove fatal TO a child"
"I'll take them away at once-at
oncel Ned, you don't think I'll neg
leet you? I'll be back tomorrow, and
you must telegraph tonight. Doctor,
vo,, Youst ta1e0ranh and LEFT me know