Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-07-18
THE CHIDESTER BROTHERS.

Chichester brothers Mollle hayes spoke
of them to me.
''Have you seen the Chidester broth
ersP" she asked, never giving me a
chance to answer.
"Oh, Jennie, they are too splendid for
anything. They are as handsome as
they can be-"
.sWho are they?" l asked.
ooh, they have been in town about
week. They are at Tomlinson's and
they drive beautiful pair of blacks in
light wagon"
''But who are theyP declare, Mollie,
you never stop talking long enough to
say anything"
Mollie laughed. She has the sweet
est temper-and did not stop a mo-
ment.
''They are''-she said slowly-"oh,
I don't know who they are, except just
the Chichester brothers; nor what they
are, except-dentists."
''Dentistsr' | exclaimed.
Eyes, dentists. They are travelling
from place to place in their own car
riage and practicing as they go. They
enjoy travelling, and like to study the
country and the people, you know.
They have two offices at Tomlinson's
but they drive out into the country and
call. and they will go to any one who
sends for them. 1t is very convenient,
now isn't itP''
mo, don't like strangers, anyway;
but when it comes to strangers, you
don't know"
But. Jenny, they are so pleasant
and so handsome, and really quite like
gentlemen" mildly demonstrated Susie
Brown, who was calling.
Like! But / want the men | know
TO be gentlemen, and don't believe a
gentleman would think of peddling
either teeth or tooth-brushes. One is
of no higher grade of business than is
the other"
81 think you are right" observed
Mr.. Heming, Susie's escort, and the
very quiet assistant of Mr.. Brown, our
druggist.
Mr.. Heming had been stranger a
year before this, but he had come to
Meadowside well recommended. Be-
sides, he was so very plain it would
never have paid him to be anything
but '.eminently respectable"
''Of course | am right" | cried.
"Why, these men may be part of a
gang of burglars, instead of gentle
men or men of honest and honorable
calling"
81 should think you would feel timid
as it is" remarked Susie, with a glance
round the room. We were eating fruit
in the dining -room, where the sideboard
and buffet were crowded with silver
and pretty things.
"Where do you keep ali theseP" ask
ed Mr.. Heming. You surely do not
leave them exposed in this way during
the nights"
''Oh, no, indeed. They are all car
ried up into mothers room. Mine is
next to it. 1t is a terrible nuisance
and if they were mine | should just
leave them here. The house is safe
enough. The boys are in the nursery
and the servants in the attic. But ]
like to be alone. Dear me, / don't
think could stand it without few
hours to myself. Listen! That is
the way it is from morning until night.
just excuse me while | settle them"
/ ran upstairs, and when [ came
down Susie and Mr.. Heming were
ready to take leave and waiting under
the hall lamp.
Il believe this will be a match"
thought. as | kissed Susie. land
really" carrying on the same thought
as l went slowly upstairs again, sd
don't see why it would not be a good
thing! Susie is certainly quiet, pref
ty little thingi And he is not hall
such a fright as 1 thought him. There
was quite glow in his eyes tonight
Usually he is as dull as ditch water
So much like those everlasting Chides
ter brothers"
Two weeks later party of the young
people came out to spend the last even
ing of my loneliness with me. Father
and mother were coming home the
next day and was heartily glad OF
it. Jim was in Boston finishing hi:
trip with some college friends.
Among my guests of the evening wa:
Susie Brown and Mr.. Heming, Molli,
HAYES, and one of the Chichester broth
ers."
They all staid late. Mr.. Heming anC
Susie were the first to leave and Molli,
and the Chichester the last. After they
had crossed the doorstep / saw hin
pause and glance back at the hall an(
the stairway. 1t was a peculiar an(
searching glance and gave me chill.
sensation of fear and dread.
Under the effect of that last glance
however, | had all the silver gathered
up most carefully and packed in sew
eral baskets and | concluded to sleel
in mothers room instead of my own
Moreover, / opened the doors between
the nursery and our rooms. Twas no
at all mindful of the delights of ute
loneliness. | went back and forth sew
eral times to the tumbled beds in tn
nursery, envying the rosy sleepers, an
it was late, indeed, before | joine
them.
Almost instantly, it seemed to me,
was broad awake again and lookin
straight before me at the terrible, tel
rible sight.
There was light in the room
pale, uncertain, fickering light whic
streamed upward from the floor at tn
foot of the bed and cast strange shaC
ows on the ceiling.
.Burglarsr' beat my frightene
heart "The Chichester brothers!" cam
choking into my frightened throat.
/ had too much sense to move c
scream. l lay still as death, onl
drawing long, even breaths as if SCUM
in sleep. and using my eyes for a