Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-04-22

emotion, fearing for his heart. In an amusing
story by Swiss novelist man believes that he
has fungus growing on his heart and he
comes to live for this fungus. to eat only such
things as he is convinced will disagree with the
fungus, to engage IN athletic sports. with the
hope Of shaking off the fungus, to give up
reading the newspapers because he ceases 10
take interest in politics, being engrossed IN his
fungus, and finally to discover that he has been
subjected to delusion, the fungus existing
solely in his Imagination.
Mr. Pennycomequick had become alarmed
about his heart; he put his finger periodically
to his pulse to ascertain its regularity, imag-
ined himself subject to spasms, to feel stabs;
he suspected,numbness, examined his lips and
eyelids at the glass to discover whether he
were more or less bloodless than the day be-
fore, and stunned emotion as dangerous to
heart whose action was abnormal. The rest
from business, the relief from responsibility,
were good for him. The even life at his friends
house suited him. But he did not rapidly gain
strength.
He walked on the downs when the weather
permitted. not too fast lest he should unduly
distress his heart, nor too slowly lest he should
catch cold. He was dieted by his doctor, and
ate docilely what was meted to him; If he could
have had his sleep and wakefulness measured
as well, he would have been content but sleep
would not come when called, banished by
thoughts OF the past, and questions concerning
the future.
John Dale was pleasant man to be with;
fond of good story, and able TO tell one fond
of good dinner, and-being bachelor-able
to keep cook who could furnish one; fond OF
good wine, and with cellar stocked with it.
He was happy to have his old comrade with
him; and jeremiah enjoyed discussing old ac-
noin o16 rofr nc
ancient jokes.
Thus time passed, and passed pleasantly,
though not altogether satisfactorily to Jere-
miah, who was impatient at being unwell, and
uneasy about his heart.
At length John Dale fulfilled his undertake
ing, he went to Mergatroyd to see how matters
progressed there He arrived as has already
been stated, at moment when his appearance
afforded relief to the widow. He talked with
Janet, and with Salome; but he had not many
hours at his disposal. and his interviews with
the Cusworths were necessarily brief. He was
obliged to consult with Janet about her affairs,
and that occupied most of his time. From Sa-
lone he learned nothing concerning the will
more than what he had already heard. She
told him no particulars; and, indeed, considered
it unnecessary to discuss it, as her engagement
to Philip altered her prospects.
But, bless me, this must have been a case of
love at first sight," said Mr.. Dale why, Sa-
lome you did not know him till the other
day."
mo; 1 had not seen him till after the death
of my dear uncle, but l. somehow, often thought
of and fretted little about him. was
troubled that. dear uncle had not made
friends with his brother, and that he kept his
nephew at arms length. pitied Mr.. Philip
before knew him. l could not hear that he
had done anything to deserve this neglect; and
| what little was told me about the cause of diff
| ference between uncle and his brother did not
| make me think that the estrangement ought to
last and be extended to the next generation.
In my stupid way sometimes tried to bring
uncle to another mind, and to think more kind
| ly of them. was so grieved to think that Mr..
| Philip should grow up in ignorance of the
| nobility and worth of his uncle's character.
| Do you know-Mr. Dale-one reason why l am
| glad that l am going to marry Philip is that ]
may have a real right to call Mr.. Pennycome-
quick my uncle? Hitherto called him so to
myself, and mamma, and one or two others,
but knew that he was no relation"
"How about the identification Of Mr.. Jere-
miah's body?" asked the surgeon.
with that had nothing to do. was moi
called on to give my opinion. Mrs Sidebottom
swore to it. The body wore the surtout that
know belonged to Mr.. Pennycomequick, but
that was all. How he came by it cannot ex
| plain. Mrs. Sidebottom was so convinced that
her view was correct that she had an explana
ton to give why the corpse wore hardly any
| other clothes. did not believe when it wa;
found, and do not believe now, that the body
| was that of uncle"
But you do not doubt that Mr.. Pennycome