The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1886-03-05
SCENE IN OUR VILLAGE.
BY MISS AMELIA THROPP.

SCENE IN OUR VILLAGE.
BY MISS AMELIA TIIRoPP.
Doctor Solomon Freshcorn was the
physician of the little village of N
His residence, however was nearly two
miles from that place. The house stood
little distance from the public road: il
was a two stored one. when had at one
time been II pretty color. but like the
green blinds and shutters. had so faded
out that the original tints were onl,
known to those who possessed good
memories.
The Doctors front-yard was grass.
grown. Boosting of neither tree nor flow.
err, whilst his pump IAN old-fashioned
wooden one) stood for convenience di.
rectly in front of the door. Doctor Sol
ONION was bachelor. He was tall and
stout, not handsome, well preserved
gentleman, who al the time ] became
acquainted with him was in his sixty.
third year. He was noted for his pc.
culiarities, or might say eccentricites.
The villagers laughed ut his ways and
had many II joke ut his expense, YET
they loved him withal for his many good
qualities. He was very bashful, which
misfortune appeared to increase with
his years. The knowledge of his diff,
iidence made him very awkward He
was good physician, honest and up,
right in his dealings, and noted for hi,
kindness of heart.
Mrs. Melinda Jane Simpkins, the vii.
lage grocer's wife. declared he was 1.-THE
singularist man that she ever seed. fol
laws-a-me. when he came to see INV
Julie Ann when she was sick a-bed with
fever he nigh skeart my life out. for he
Knocked over the stove in the bed room,
and com nigh scttn the house ATTIRE
but. replied her neighbor. who was
the recipient of this item of news hes
just so clever that you can't help but
like him, and is awful smart. fur nv
old man says so. and that's why we
named the twins artcr him-Solomon
Noodle. and Freshcorn Noodle, grand
names YOU see, and we lost nothing by
it neither, fur he give each NV the young
ones twenty dollar gold piece. and
we've put it inter the bank fur EN- till
they grows up"
The boys of N, We're truly mis-
chievious, and would, although con-
stantly admonishcd 10 the contrary.
persist in calling the Doctor Green
corn" instead OF giving him his proper
name
Doctor Freshcorn was remarkable for
the peculiarly of his dress. and in sum-
mer. would be atiired generally in Il
light-gray rnnnd-n-bnn eniiraly too
staf Hn oil f.N..
his iesly body, making him look like
an inflated toad. whilst his large red
face was made conspicuous by the small
velvet cap which adorned his head,
causing the mischicvious village maid
ems to compare il To The rising sun, or
full moon. He frequently wore an old
fashioned coat with long tails and three
collars piled one on top of the other i'm
the style of Queen EliZabeth's days. which
looked 81 ancient that many declared
that il must have come out of the ark,
and been worn by father Noah HIM
self.
Perhaps one of the most amusing cir
c,niS'alrccS narrated TO me was of the
Doctor being la love. He had vowed
in his SoiIth never to marry. and until
IbtS~tfl W III tut Ill't-SttlIlutI anu
autumn which followed, he remained
true 10 his determination, and it was
not until he was looking forward to the
sunset of life. that the alarming event
took place.
Mrs. Thornton one of the residents al
the village. had al this time Il beautiful
young widow stopping with her. Being
and .l.si,.,,,,s - ,,,,,la.in,, har .i,-
parted lord. and thinking the doctor sc
situated that he could support wife
comfortably, she determined to captivatC
him. She became apparently very i'll,
| and her intended victim was summoned
and Us her sickness was not very alarm
| ing, she was able To make herself very
attractive. His visits were frequent and
continued long after her convalesccncc.
He was captivaic'l and began To think
| il would be- pleasant thing 10 have an
| agreeable partner for the rest of hi,
| days, some nice person to take care al
him i'm his declining years. He resolved
| TO make himself agreeable. The task
| was difficult for his awkwarlness and
diflidence were against him. On on,
| occasion as he was bowling himself on,
of her sick room and being too polite tc
turn his back on agreeable company
went backwards, regardless of the step,
! that descended to the yeStibulc N Tia,
top of Il long flight of Sairs. and los
| ing his balance went blowing. scramb
| ling and revolving from the top to til,
bottom, to the alarm OF the widow, ant
| the amusement Of the little ThornlonS
He raised up. and almost flew to hi,
carriage. smarting and bruised, an,
followed by the children. who calle'
loudly after him to know IF he WA
| hurt" He was noted for driving tn,
slowest horse in the ncighborhood
This did not suit Squire Bellows, for on
| time when he went after him to aticnt
his little son, who was very i'll, and be
ing DESTROYS of getting the good MAJ
there on time, urged him To mount hi
colt. called Telegraph. He reluctant,
consented. Mrs. Roselind Qhe widow
almost tainted with fright when she saw
him dart through the village with sucl
speed that, she thought, Telegraph mus
have been charged with electricity.
Dr. FreshcOrn's singular misfortune
| did not deter Mrs. Roselind from he
purpose. She was II true philosopher
and saw beyond his peculiarities tn
prospect of kind husband. and goo'
home. The situation had now become
serious, the doctor could endure il n,
longer, and was determined to know hi
fate.
The house of Mr. Thornton was :
large smooth-plastcred, white-washe'
stone, with green blinds, and Il wild
veranda i'm front, the homework of which
was painted frcsh-looking green. Tn
surrounding grounds were filled witt
flowers and shrubbcry. the place wa
pretty and attractive. rejecting credi
on the refined taste of It's inmates.
Doctor Freshcorn's mind was nov
fully made up to proceed TO business
He felt a strange feeling of hope and eX
pcctation us he drove along i'm his sulky
with his white horse, which the boy
named Flying Eclipse. He was pom
dering on the best way TO propose. III
had never undertaken such mission
before "but of course, it is an easy thing
and il is what most men are obliged t.
do before they can get married, n
thought The widow had conquered hi
heart and he intended to reward he
with his hand, and home. 1t never oc
CURED to him that she would say any
thing but, yes He was mortal ant