The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-11-20
HE NEEDED A SHOCK.
How Mr.. Hunt Was Cured of Fears
of Inactivity.

poor fellow Poor felloww said Mr.
Elnathan Jenkins to his nephew Sylvester,
as Webster Hunt went slowly by in ''the
Nileses wagon" Chow longs he been that
way2"
''Lemme see," said Sylvester Jenkins,
rubbing his chin thoughtfully. when was
it, mothers About ros'b'ry time, WANT it,
OF course twas? Don't you remember
mother! Webster m Sam Jillson bet on
which could eat the most green peas; soft
must IA been pea-time-'n' that's
ros'b'ry-time-th year ago Both the
boys was sick; but after awhile Sam he got
well. Webster didn't though. Leastways,
his legs didn't They've been this way for
thirty years, uncle, nigh onto thirty year"
you don't say?n reioined Uncle Elna-
than. It's too bad. He looks like mighty
intelligent man. His father was before
him remember old Squire Hunt we'll. -
Mr.. Elnathan Jenkins had settled in In
diana in his youth, and was now making
his first visit to his old home after an alb
sence of nearly forty years.
"Oh! Webster's smart" returned his
nephew, emphatically "He's read m
read since he was laid up; knows most ev
cry thing. He manages his business, m
runs politics quite a good deal, m every
body-that is, pretty near every body
likes him. Why, we don'tnone of us enjoy
any thing MORN visit from Webster
Hunt. That's what he's goin' for nova
ylsItln'. IN, mind we, be always comes m
goes in the Nileses wagon. You see, the
front wheel of that can come off, m the
men can push it right onto the steps, or the
verandy, or the kitchen-foor, M so they
can get Webster out easier. No matter
what they're a-doin', the Nileses III let
ho tot %Ioxr
think so mnch of him. He beats every
body tellin' story, or talkin' anyway for
that matter all glad to have visit
from Webster"
81 should think he would be too helpless
to go around much.'
Helpless! He is-helpless as a baby:
but we don't mind that. Why, when he
comes here, the boys'll run their feet off
for him, if he wants 'em to- m Salome
there builds fire in the best bedroom, m
we all wait on him right up to the handle.
He has light side of him nights on a
stand, m there's bell for him to ring if
he wants anything, m so it goes. Lemme
see-he was here last corn-shuckin' time
We had good visit long o. Webster"
II see his face is reel good-lookin'," pur-
sued Uncle Elnathan, who was intensely
interested in hearing all the details about
tae families of his old neighbors.
wal, sir, tits, " said his nephew, heartily.
I've seen him when he looked as pretty as
picture. He'd a been one of the most
prominent men in the State, if he hadn't
got caught in this scrape when he was a
boy. You see he WANT MORN sixteen or
seventeen"
'Never had no love affairs, 1 s'pose?"
ventured Uncle Elnathan, who read the
story papers, and had a taste for romance
"N-no-not as ="
What do YOU mean, father" broke in
Mrs Salome Jenkins, who, in good New
England fashion, always called her hus-
band ''father." Every body knows that
Jane Simons has been dead in love with
Webster Hunt these years m years"
"Oh | know that's what they say" re-
torted father" with some contempt, ''but
where's your proof, Salome' Where's
your proofs
Mrs Jenkins tossed her head sagaciously.
'ProofP she said. There's proof
enough What's Jane Simons lived single
for all these yearsl She might "a been
married time m time again, but she
wouldn't take none o. her bsaux. She's
forty-five, if she's day m she M Webster
was mighty lovin' when they was boys m
girls together before he lost the use of his
limbs, She's that proud, Jane Simons is,
that she won't marry anybody that can't
walk, no matter if he's as smart M as
pretty lookin' as Webster Hunt. But she
loves him, for all her pride! You can talk,
but I've seen her look at him, father, m /
can tell. M don't he give her a Christmas
pTSS6Hb every year II DlrUnQdy present.
Yes, know he gives 'em to other folks
too, but he gives extry nice ones to Jane.
She's close-mouthed piece, Jane Simons
is, always was, m her brother Jake's as
still as she is; but I've heard things pretty
straight. You can depend it's jest IS /
say"
Il should most think they'd get mar
ried," remarked Uncle Elnathan. 'Most
women would like to look after cripple
like man so; IN | should think she'd rather
have home of her own than to live with
her brother. Brothers sometimes bring
wife in, when folks least expect"
"She's proud, tell you" insisted Mrs.
Jenkins. 'The Simonses is the stiffest, m
queerest, m stuckupest family in Center
vile. James got property m Webster's
got property. They'd have enough to live
on, dearknowsn
II should think some o. these faith-cure
folks might come along m cure him." sug-
gested Uncle Elnathan.
"Oh he amt that kind" said his ortho-
dox nephew, regretfully. webster haint
got much religion Pm afraid. We had a
minister that used to pray with him. m
they. got up circle; but Webster only
laughed at 'em-good-natured enough, but
no faith. He's a good deal of a free
thinker, they say"
you don't mean it, I'm right sorry.
But there's doctors that cure his sort o.
trouble"
''He tried no end o. doctors. None on
'em ever helped him a mite" no says.
Uncle Enathan sat for moment medi-
tating. Then he broke into laugh.
Il was n thinkin' of Almiry Fitton" he
said ia explanation of his sudden outburst
4'Shet vas woman out in Indiany, not far
from our place, m a nice woman she was,
too. But she had long sick spell, m she
set out that she couldn't get up after the
doctor said she was all right. He advised
her to get up IN try to walk-begin with
little and 20 on to more-but she'd get up