Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1889-04-04

"They must have changed the
wine," thought he.
He was mistaken; it was only his
taste that had changed. 1t struck him
that he would like to walk around and
survey his new property and its extent.
He accordingly put his foot upon the
carpet and essayed to step on it. when
terrible twinge seized him. He
thought at first he had been bitten by
snake, or something of this kind,
and roared with pain. A servant came
running into the room in great alarm.
whats the matter with my foot?''
exclaimed Tim. querulously. ut feels
as if pins were being stuck in it."
"Isn't it the gout?" asked the serv-
ant, respectfully.
1.-The gout!" exclaimed Tim. in dis
may. "You don't mean to say that I
have the govt. do you?"
"You know, Squire Norcross," said
the servant, little surprised, "that
DIR. Bolus said that was the matter
with you"
Il don't remember any thing of the
kind" said Tim. irritated. Il should
like to know how I'm going to go
about. if that's the case"
He looked at the servant with an
injured air, as if the latter were per-
sonally to blame for his infirmity.
"Dick and l will wheel y our chair
around" said the servant.
Every WE'LL" said Tim, after mo-
ment's reflection. ''you may do it."
Accordingly, he was wheeled from
room to room, each of which he
scrutinized carefully and asked ques-
tons about the articles therein, which
astonished the servants, who, suppos-
ing him to be Squire Norcross in real
ity. thought he must be playing some
game upon them.
He was next carried out to survey
the grounds. and felt, 1t must be &C
knowledged, not a little pride and
pleasure in the thought that they were
his In this way he whiled away the
time till dinner, which was. of course,
a sumptuous banquet compared with
what he had been accustomed to.
After dinner he was little at loss how
20 pass the time. He picked up book
and began to read, but, not being used
to much exercise of the mental
powers, he soon became weary of this.
He began to miss the society of his
wife and children. With them he
could have made shift to enjoy him
self better. Indeed, this was a point
he had quite overlooked when he
agreed to the transfer. though nov he
saw that he could not well have both.
But, at any rate, he must see his
children and his wife. A bright
thought came to him. He could order
the carriage and ride through the viii
lage and past his old residence. He
accordingly summoned servant and
ordered the carriage to be got ready
Immediately. His command was law,
and the carriage was speedily driven
round to the froat gate. 1t was with
some difficulty that he got in, for his
govt was so severe that any unguard-
ed movement gave him exquisite pain.
Nov, whore shall l driver" asked
the coachman.
ITO the village"
by which road?"
1.-The one that passes the black
smiths shop"
''Tim Hooper's?'
''Yes, you rascal, and mind you
speak more respectfully of him. Call
him Mr.. Hooper, unless you want to
quit my employ"
whats got into the squirrel"
thought the wondering driver. Seems
to me he must think mighty sight of
that blacksmith. Why, every body
calls him Tim, the Blacksmith, but
must call him Mr.. Hooper, it seems"
The carriage rolled on easily and
luxuriously. Tim really enjoved it,
and again his spirits rose.
''Well, it does seem good" thought
he, Ito be rich and ride in my car
riage. I didn't think l should ever
come to it. l wonder what my wife
will say?"
Then the thought came over him
that he had voluntarily given up his
wife, and a shade crept over his feat
ures. He soon drove it away, how
ever, and now that the carriage was
fairly in the village street. he could
not help being gratified by the deferen-
tial bows which he received from all
he encountered.
By this time he had reached his
own smithy. 1t really did give him a
peculiar feeling when he recognized
the precise image of what he had been
that morning, hammering sturdily
away in the forge, and singing. mean
while, snatch of song.
$50 that's Squire Norcross." thought
he. Il wonder how he likes being
Tim, the Blacksmith? May be he does
not knCw that opy chapro hos <ol,on