Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-03-09
DOCTOR FlNCH'N FREAK.

t consumed on that occasion was c"pious il
. quantity and powerful in quality IL go,
into several people, heads deny that
II got into mine When We broke up il
was II O'Clock | was offered seats in
half a dozen friendly conveyauceS
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 road
The roa.i," replied Tomlinsun; the
fOotpath is muddy, and my sules are
single"
Il prefer the footpath," remarked;
my sOles are double
You funk the f"otpath, said Dick.
Funk, What Is there to funk"
"Old Finch They say he pruwls about
the oak copse At midnight. shooting rab-
bits with All air gun.
who fears old Finch" said valiantly.
l struck into the wood hut found it
harder work than | 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
distance before me; but | could distinguish
that there were two objects. differing
from each other in size and shape, placed
in the ca lter of the open space. drew
nearer, as CirCumspeCtly H. possible. and
presently discovered that the two objects
were a rustic seat, which, may mention,
was firmly fastened to the ground, and
! chair. The former was unoCCupied while
in the latter gentleman was seated.
Clearly DR. Finch,"I 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"
| determined TO introduce myself to the
recluse at once and entice him forth from
! his skill OF seClusiOn. SO | addressed him
as follows:
Doubtless DR. Finch. Won are an old
! traveller, and, therefore. not easily sur
| prised. You won't be surprised al my
! iiverging from the public footpath to in
/ luire after your health NV name is
/ retley, the hrother-in-la Of Mr. Stuhbs
who asked YOU To his christening party,
and he has commissioned me to-"
! paused with some astonishment. not
! to say annoyance. for DIR. Finch. though
he apparently nodded once or twice never
vouchsafed a single word in reply
You are not offended at my intrusion,
! DOCTOR | continued
As he still remained obStinately silent,
[ drew nearer to him. supposng that he
must have fallen asleep. But could not
hear the slightest sound of snoring, or
even of breathing | sat down on the
vacant seat | peered at my companion
through the darkness | 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"
said. Cromwell had a large 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 10 his chair by a series of strongly
knOtted cords
After few moments Of breathless Won
der, light broke upon my bewildered in
telleCt | understood the whole matter |
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
MS bonds Then, what was the meaning
of that other seat Why, this: DIR. 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 olsen
Langling eXertion. | felt so pleased at my
discovery that | closed my eyes TO think
over it, and presently fell fast asleep.
slept profoundly, but uneasily. ex-
perienced the touch OF material hands
pulling pretty smartly al 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
4 mere dream. Some being. natural or
supernatural, had visited the opened
space in the oak -cOpse during my slum-
bers and had disposed truss or two Of
Notwithstanding straw around the bench
on which sat. | attempted to stretch
out my hand for the purpose of discover
whether similar polite attention had
been accorded my companion. when |
found, 10 my horror and astOnishment,
that my arms were bound 10 my side, and
that /, like my silent companion was
securely fastened TO my seat. Slowly
turning my head toward him addressed
him:
-Dr Finch. I'm sorry for it, but really
must awaken you. Your preternatursl
acquaintsnces very good fellows. | dare
saw have been here and tied me up.
Please TO request them 10 let me go; my
landlady is sitting up for me at home, and
don't know what the consequences !
mayn't be DIR. Finch. say
shouted out the last words as il | were
hailing strip. Immediately afterwards,
a voice shouted in return
All right: I'm coming directly"
was fairly bewildered; not al the
sound OF the voice. nor at the words he
uttered. 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 a few PAGES
in front Of me He was tall, sinewy
man Of some ive-and forty years of age,
with a thin. anxious looking face. and
wild, glittering eyes, shabbily dressed,
and yet bearing the appearance Of
gentleman.
DIR. Finch. believer" said |.
The doctor bowed tremendously, and
replied:
Yes, that is my name
Rather curiOus this. oar first meeting
doctor, remarked with faint jOcularity.
but trust il may he the commencement
IF a pleasant acquaintance. | suppose you
heard me shouting DIR. Finch"
Il did. sir"
My 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