The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1886-03-18
DOCTOR FINGH'S FREAK.

called AlderbrOOk, rented by my brother
in-law, Charley Stubbs, and at this farm
made one of a joyial christening party
convened to celebrate the arrival of m,
sister Sarah's first baby. The egg-f1il
consumed on that occasion was copious il
quantity and powerful in quality. 1t go
into several peoples heads. 1 deny tina
it got into mine When we broke up i
was II O'Clock. L was offered seats il
half a dozen friendly conYeyances.
courteously declined them ALL and taking
my friend Dick Tomlinson by the arm
set off to walk home
"Here we are at the turnstile, Dick"
remarked, when we arrived there
(which shall we take, the footpath or the
main rOads"
"rThe road" replied Tomlinson; "the
footpath is muddy. and my soles are
single"
al prefer the footpath,7 1 remarked
my soles are double"
"You funk the footpath," said Dick.
"Funki What is there to funk?"
~Old Finch They say he prowls about
the oak copse at midnight, shooting rab-
bits with an air-gun."
| who fears old Finch?" said Tvaliantly
! l struck into the wood but found il
harder work than 1 had expected
stumbled repeatedly over the .gnarled
roots which interlaced each other in every
direction. The night was very dark, for
there was no moon and the sky was over
cast, 50 that could only see a very short
distance before me; but l could distinguish
| chat there were two objects, differing
from each other in size and shape, placed
| IN the center OF the open space. | drew
| nearer. as ciFcumspectly as possible, and
presently discovered that the two objects
were rustic seat, which, may mention,
was firmly fastened TO the ground, and a
chair. The former was unoccupied, while
m the latter a gentleman was seated.
CLEARLY DIR. Finch" l said to myself,
enjoying the Tranquil silence of the mid
night hour. Rather damp, chilly night,
though, must confess. But what does
he want with two seats?"
l determined to introduce myself to the
recluse at once, and entice him forth from
his skill of seelusion. So 1 addressed him
as follows:
Doubtless, Dr. Finch, you are an old
traveller and, therefore, not easily sur
prised. You won't be surprised at my
1iverging from the public footpath to in
1uire after your health. My name is
Tetley, the brother-in-law of Mr. Stubbs,
who asked you to his christening party,
and he has commissioned me to"
paused with some astonishment, not
" St1 dllHONdn lOE LII. L lIOQAA
ne apparently nodded once or twice, never
vouchsafed a single word in reply.
"You are not offended at my intrusion,
1octor? continued"
As he. still remained obstinately silent,
drew nearer to him, supposing that he
must have fallen asleep. But I could not
hear the slightest sound of snoring, or
even of breathing u sat down on the
vacant seat. I-peered at my companion
through the darkness. 1 could not see
much of his face, for his head was sunk
upon his breast, and covered by broad
brimmed, low-crowned hat; but could
perceive that he had tremendously long
nose.
"A certain proof of vigorous intellect" 1
said. Cromwell had alarge nose The
Iron Duke
Presently, growing bolder by proximity,
ventured to touch my mysterious
aquaintance's Inverness cape. next laid
my hand upon his arm, and made an
astounding discovery. He was recurely
bound to his chair by a series of strongly
knotted cords.
After a few moments of breathIess won
Ter, a light broke upon my bewildered in
5ellect. I understood the whole matter. 1
had been accidentally and unintentionally
admitted to the most secret arcana of
spiritualism He had fastened himself
INTO this chair; he had then, by certain
magical movements of his head, nodded
himself into a condition of mesmeric
coma; he was now waiting for the hour of
Twelve to strike, when some obedient
spirit would come and release him from
his bonds. Then, what was the meaning
Of that other seat? Why, this: Dr. Finch
was polite gentleman, and placed it for
the spirit to sit down upon, in case he or
she should be fatigued by his or her disen-
tangling exertion. / felt so pleased at my
discovery that l closed my eyes to think
over it, and presently fell fast asleep.
1 slept profoundly, but uneasily. I ex-
perienced the touch of material hands
pulling pretty smartly at my legs, and
arranging some substance of an irritating
and prickly character around them. Then
awoke. The sensation which had felt
about my lower limbs was not caused by
a mere dream. Some being, natural or
supernatural had visited the opened
space in the eak-copse during my slum-
bers, and had disposed a truss or two of
Notwithstanding straw around the bench
on which / sat. attempted to stretch
out my hand for the purpose of discover
whether a similar polite attention had
been accorded my companion, when l
found, TO my horror and astonishment,
that my arms were bound to my side, and
that 1, like my silent companion was
fastened to my seat Slowly
turning my head toward him l addressed
him:
"Dr. Finch, I'm sorry for it, but I really
must awaken. you. Your preternatural
very good fellows, dare
say) have been here and tied me up.
Please to request them to let me go; my
landlady isssitting up for me at home, and
1 don't know what the consequences
mayn't be- DR. Finch, sayP'
I shouted out the last words as if were
hailing ship. Immediately afterwards,
a voice shouted in return:
"All right; I'm coming directly"
was fairly bewildered; not at the
sound of the voice, nor at the words he
but at the place from whence it
came. The figure at my side, which / had
all along supposed to be DR.. Finch, sat
speechless and motionless, while the voice
proceeded from a parsonage at least
hundred yards off, whose outline was
dimly discernible, owing to a lantern
which he carried in his hand.
The advancing figure drew rapidly
nearer, and presently halted few PAGES
in front of me. He was a tall, sinewy
man, of some five-and-forty years ofage,
with a thin, misunderstanding face, and
wild, glittering eyes, shabbilT dressed,
and yet bearing the appearance OF
gentleman
"Dr Finch, believer" said 1.
The doctor bowed tremendously, and
replied:
"Yes, that is my name"
"Rather curious this, our first meeting,
doctor, remarked with faint jocularity,
abut trust it may be the commencement
of pleasant acquaintance. suppose you
heard me shouting, DR.. Finch"
Il did, sir"
~dy object In shouting was to get rid of
these cords Somebody, you see, doctor,
has been playing very pleasant little
practical joke, which this gentleman at
my side appears to bear with exemplary
patience. Perhaps his time is not so
valuable as mine-ha, ha!-but as for my
self, DR.. Finch, you viii oblige me by tax
ing c penknife out of my right-hand waist
coat pocket, and setting me at liberty. Do
you know who this silent gentleman at
my side may be?"
Dr. Finch's brow darkened, his eyes
oDA ha ma in onoru