Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1889-12-27


tioning myself how l should proceed if at
any time l was called in to attend pa
tent with a sprained ankle, knee, wrist,
elbow, or dislocated limb.
Just as l resumed my seat afte- luEch
the skaters came back, evidently to their
own dinners, and just then Mrs. Dinton
came in to clear away.
81 knowed it would be, sir she said.
'The pump-it's froze hard"
"Restore its circulation with a kettle
of boiling water, Mrs. Dinton," said,
land have it oandaged with hay bands. "
"Why, sir, any one would think that
you were a country gentleman, instead of
from town That's just what was going
to do"
went on reading; Mrs. Dinton went
on talking.
''They tell me some of the young
peoples got whole bundle of torches
from funston, and they're going to skate
tonight by torchlight. And oh, what
do you think, sir? Marty, the carrier,
tells me that the old doctor over at
Tunston's i'll in bed with govt
"Humph! Might send for ME to help
him." muttered to myself.
"And that he has got local demon
down from London to help him"
'Ah WHAT" roared.
"Well, sir, 1 thought it strange, but
that's what Marty said"
''No, no; locum tencns, Mrs. Dinton."
''No, sir; he said local demon as plain
as plain, and Dick Martyrs very careful
man. You won't go skating, sir? 1 did
dusty your skateses."
ono, no, Mrs. Dinton. Too busy,
thanks.
'sPoor old fellow! Gout? Well, he
will not want me-" I said to myself, and
[ read till the sun set red over the hill,
and then till the mist was gray, and the
night set in as it does set in during a
January frost.
AS sat over my tea in my cosey, warm
room, and listened to the humming of the
frosty wind outside, turned in my chair
to listen to a merry chorus, as party
went by my window, and the clink of a
pair Of skates told me what their mission
must be.
[ read on for perhaps an hour, quite in
good spirits, and was mentally treating a
very bad sprain successfully, when Mrs.
Dinton hustled into the room.
GA letter for you, sir. Man brought
it from the Hall, sir"
''From the Hall?" cried, excitedly.
els he waiting?"
"No, sir; he's gone again. Said you
was to come on directly"
Iopenei the envelope with trembling
fingers, and read, written in bold clear
hand:
''MR. RUSSELL: Come on to the Hall di-
rectly. Lord John has met with an accident |
Leg badly fractured. Bring your instru-
ments."
F'Lord John" exclaimed. II thought
his lordship was in town"
II did hear as he was expected down |
at any time, sir. Is anything the mat
ter?"
LEG broken!" I said, hurriedly.
"Quick, Mrs. Dinton, my coat"
"Bless Us and save us! Poor, dear
man! He's slipped on the front door
steps as sure as Pm a sinful woman, and |
him with a hoUseful O servants, and not |
to think to throw down a shovel of ash .
Here's your comforter, sir"
slipped the things on, stuffed band
ages and splints into my pockets, q bottle
or two in others, and then caught up a
long mahogany box from the sideboard |
cupboard.
ooh, for goodness sake, sir, don't say
as you're going to"
''That's all, thinl1' 7 said, breath
lessly. 'Don't sit up if I'm late"
The next minute, without hearing Mrs
Dinton's reply, was out in the frosty
night thinking Of the task had in hand,
and the possibilities.
[ had mile and half to go, passing
two or three farm houses before reached
the park with it's fine avenue of oaks
and just before [ reached tie last house,
with its ruddy lights staining the pure
snow, could see other lights down in
a hollow to my left, and hear shouts as
the smoky torches of the skaters glided
here and there.
almost ran the rest of the way, and
kept expecting to see the Illuminated
windows of the old Elizabethan Hall
but all was dark and still, and when I
baying of a dog, and man came out of
yard to my right with lantern, while
beyond HIM I could see the lights in the
stables.
"Who's there?"
"I-Mr. RUSSELL, I said. ''Will you
show me the way up to the house?"
Eyes, sir; but there's no one there,
sir. Mr.. Bennett and old Sam are in the
stables"
= I. IL