The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1891-12-16


so. Bat do2,: just see how is 70 6e
done. Perhaps. though, Pearson will
not bring matters % an issue ct once.
Perhaps we VII have plenty OF time, If
we only succeed in keeping our scheme
quiet.
u think not" said Scraggs. 81 be-
Eere from wllct information have been
able to gather tGat he has already made
his proposition to the girl. l know this
n3ch: lie mas purchased two tickets for
Denver and has arranged for a livery
rig to drive into the country tomorrow
night. I am confident his intention is
to drive o2t to Green's at night and
bring the girl here n q close carriage,
and with her take the train for the
west"
Then what can we do, Scraggs?" the
doctor asked. How can we prevent
this thing IN so short Z time?'
Il don't know. In sure"
At that instant the office door was
thrown open and man came breath
lesslv in.
Doctor" he cried, "come quick.
Pearson has received Z severe injury
and needs immediate attention. I have
been all over town in search of you"
''Eh? What's thGt?" the doctor cried,
starting up.
The man recounted all he knew of
Pearson's meeting with Paul and the
encounter that followed, and ended by
saying:
I'm sure his leg is broken, besides
other serious injuries
II wish to Heaven it had been his
neck instead Of his leg" cried Scraggs.
"Aye," said the doctor aside to
Scraggs, "but a leg is better than
nothing, and if we can't have what we
want we must take what we can get"
''Are you going to him?" Scraggs
asked.
Eyes, indeed yos wait here an hour
or SO and III see you again"
With that the doctor went out and
down the street to Pcarson's room. He
found Pearson in q semi-unconsc;ous
condition, and proceeded to make an
examination of his injuries. At first he
was inclined to treat them rather
lightly, but on second thought he
changed his mind and his face took on
a grave air and he shook his head du-
biously.
is he badly hurt, doctor?" some one
asked.
BAD enough to keep him in bed for
several days, sure" the doctor replied.
1--WE must spin1 and banGage this limb
and he must be kept perfectly quiet for
the present"
Accordingly the limb was duly ar
ranged, the bruises about the face
dressed, and, after again repeating his
inSunctions in regard to keeping the POI
tieat quiet, the old doctor withdrew
and returned to Scraggs.
Now, Scraggs," he said, as he en-
tered the Office, we've got good
chance to carr out Our plan. We've
got Pearson lad Up with 4 broken leg,
and if we can get old Biatchfo-d out
here before he gets up and about we're
al right"
+: Great heavens, man! we can GER
tainly Go that. E,atchIo-6 ough: to get
here inside Of six days, aad I should
thiDl; It would take broken leg sew
eral weeks TO heal"
Yes, ordinarily it does take several
weeks, but N this case it won't"
Wont? Why not?'
Because" ard the doctor advanced
an4 sunk his voice to 4 whisper, "be-
cause. Scraggs, there amt any broken
leg II this case.
"What?' cried Seraggs. II don't
catch your meaning"
y mean that 2carson's leg is not
broken. lie has sprained it pretty Sc
vcrely, that is al; but as the people
up there thought it was broken I de-
cielea TO let the impression prevail, and
so splintsred it up and left it SO.
Don't you see, if we can keep him in
bed under the belief that his limb is
broken it gives US :. chance to save the
girl until Blatchford comes"
II see, l see," cried Scraggs, as he
slapped himself and fairly roared with
laughter by George. doctor, but that
is :;le best thing ever heard of, and
you deserve medal for it. III put you
against the world when it comes to
sc!legning," and agai.. Scragss' feelings
got tie better % him and he burst out
into another roar of laughter.
Nov, if l can keep Pearson in bed
for q week." said the doctor, you
think you can accomplish your work,
do yoU?'
Yes, like top. You just hold Pear
son down on his back for six days, and
I'm sura We'll come through al right"
"Well, III Try to do it, Scraggs, and
think can succeed. SO long"
Dr.. Bascom was assiduous in his at
tentio2s to Pearson, and every day
called to see him. He made it point
to speak OF the case most seriously, and
his face was always grave and thought
full When he was in his patients pres
ence.
DO you think an il a serious con-
dition?" Pearson asked one day.
''Oh, not particularly So" the doctor
replied. 'Iou will be up and about in
Il few weeks"
"Il fc,v weeks?" Pearson repeated
with a groar. Can't get ahou, soon
cr than t:.at?'
We'll, that depends, young man. Il
YOU keep perfectly quiet and lay fat
on your back for ten days, c~ such q
matter, .voa max DC able to get out .
little earlier.
Tg;o or three days passed thus, when
one evening the doctor mace his "gular
visit to tii:d Pearson in { terrible ret.
''Iie has been wanting 70 get p ali
day" the attendant explained, and l
have !lad hard work 20 Keep him in
bed
Wanting to get up" the coctor
\cried, il astonisbment Why, what's
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