The Arkansaw traveler., 1886-01-30
@Who has been telling you ?" he stam-

NSver nina, we'll pull you round right enough here. Splendid air, delicious situation Now tell me-what do you think of my latest purchase, this fine old house?"
 This straightforward question was em- barrassing more especially as Patience, who had gone back to her window-seat behind the doctor, and had taken up her knitting, suddenly suspended it to enjoy the situation.
 But the doctor seemed to have eyes in the back of his head.
 If you've anythiag to say against my house, Patience, say it at once don't spare my feelings. It'll most likely be your home for years to come"
 Patience fingered her beads, as though she'd like to begin telling her fortune all over again
 Frank hesitated over his answer.
 It is no doxbt 6ae old house." he began, but Eve hardly had full view of it."
 An, and it possibly looks to you a liule-well, not more than little ont of repair. It's just wanting a touch here and there from the painter and house decorator, eh?"
 Well, yes; if you ask my opinion, that's just exactly what should say it does want"
 " Aud the grounds, the orchard, the fower-garden, no doubt you think would show to better advantageif were to turn into them troop of gardeners with shears, and rakes, and spades, eh P
 Really, didn't stop to look about mo murh a C canAin Thara u,ova err,1 splendid old trees, remember, dividing the orchard from the garden"
 Ah," said the doctor, wrinkling the scalp of his head so fast as almost to give Frank the impression that the whole mass of thick curls was ginning at him "l see you have an eye for beauty What will he say, Patience, when he has seen my botanic garden, wonder?''
 |" l wonder P ejaculated Patience, turn ing up her eyes solemnly.
 Now most men," the doctor went on. " if they bought house of this sort would set to work laying out park, and and kitchens garden Now what's the use of kitchen-garden Tell me that"
 "Well, really, I've never thought much on the matter. To grow potatoes and lettuces, suppose"
 "That shows how much you know about it And what's the use of park and pleasure grounds, orchards, smart houses, troops of servants, men and maids horses, carriages, pigs, poultry, and such likeP What does any one of these things do for anybody, I ask you9"
 "Well, really lifts like 'Mangnall's Questions Will you give me time to think? 2"
 My friend, you should have the an- swer at the tip of your tongue. They serve simply as outlets for mans energy If he has too much-a fact, by the way, which has never come within the scope of my observation-let hum by all means get rid of the superhuous quantity in all or any of the before-named channels But if he has barely sufficiency for hls everyday requirements, let him do as l have done-cut of one and all of those multitudinous outlets, conserve his pow CTS, and concentrate them on one object in life. Now, l suppose you want to know why, instead of buying this tum- ble-down, neglected-looking place, l didn't go in for clean, well-regulated modern dwelling"
 My dear sir, never SO much as opened my lips p cried Frank, amazed
 "Ah, you see, you've expressive fea- lures. We'll, I'll answer your question Ten years ago announced to my friends my professional career. asked them frankly why on earth should be both- cred to go out on cold winters night be- cause John Jones had slipped his knee cap, or Mrs. Smith had congestion oi the lungs2 What possible interest could have in keeping up the population of the earth when think the earth would be very we'll quit of one-half of it2"
 "lt's awfully wicked. It's like listening to pagan to hear such talk" came from the window-seat, with the sound of Pa tience's knitting-pins.
 The doctor turned, and wrinkled his head 6ercely at her, and then resumed:
 "So l said 10 them, lust let me alone, every one of you, after dark. If you think you want medicine, and that it'll do you any good, come to me the frs. thing in the morning, and I'll give you just as much as ever you can swallow. But after dark don't dare to touch my door-bell.' Now do you suppose it was of any use my making this mild and req sonable request to them2 2"
 Common gratitude for the promised doses ought to have taught them to re- spcct your midnight slumoers."
 fought, undoubtedly but it didn't. Faster than ever they came, so soon as they found was talking of getting oil the treadmill. Everybody within ten miles round made point of catching levers, measles, smallpox, tic doloureux, and everything else they could manage to lay hold of And every one made a point of being at the last gasp just exactly at mid night, with the thermometer below zero. Then said to myself Nov, my friends, I'll do you one and all.' The olu Manor House had been in the market for the past thirty years; 1 put my hand in my pocket, and paid the very small sum that was wanted for it, and not soul has been near me since alter dark"
 "Why not3" asked Frank, his curi-