The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1892-04-06
AHYPocHoNDRIAC'S TREAT
MENT.

MEN 4.
Hush, hush, Nellie In said Mrs. Be-
ton, holding up q warning finger as he
daughter sprang up the steps with a ga.
laugh.
Your father is suffering very mucl
this afternoon, and is trying to sleep. II,
is in the sitting room on the lounge
where l made him go as it is much coole
there"
Whats the matter now - said Nel
lie, with her pretty face cnriously IN
changed by the news Of her fathers in
disposition.
'Oh, Just one ofh;s nervousspells and
1 think be said he had headache, too
broiled him bird, and he seemed te
relish IT, and drank some buttermilk ol
the mornings churning.n
"Well, then, # he can eat and enjoy
buttermilk,7 remarked the girl, with a
a short laugh, q he is not so very bad off
Be honest, now, mother, do you believe
much in fathers ailments? No, no; don't
you frown, but tell the truth Aren't bis
appetite and looks too good for there TO
be much the matter with him ? declare
/ have c. gLt DR.. Easier smiling broad
ly several times when he has been here
to see father, and it was all he could do
to keep him from laughing in his face"
Mrs. Belton's kindly face wore a half
amused, halfGightened expression as
she listened to her daughter, but she an
swered, demurely:
How can you talk so, Nellie? OF
course your father is i'll, or why should
ne leign to be so?"
He likes petting and coddling, just
like baby, and, mother, really believe
you know it is mainly his Imagination
that is at work, but yoH have got in the
habit of waiting on him and humoring
his fancies until you deit as matter of
course. Now, own up. Do you believe
in his sickness to-day7'
The mother evaded the clear, truth
compelling eyes turned up to her own,
but she laughed, and whispered back to
her:
~Well, he did eat about six biscuits
with that bird, and drank three glasses
Of the buttermilk and disposed of near
ly third of a glass of my strawberry
preserves"
Nellie caught her mother in her arms
with shout of delight. Bravo, bravo
You have owned it, and that is half the
battle. Mother, know in the bottom Of
your heart, kind and gentle as it is, you
are tired Of fathers morbid faneies, and
of fministering to his imaginary ailments.
And it is time something was done TO
arouse him, or he will become a confirm
ed hypoehondriac, for ne is nearly that
now. | believe could break him."
"No, you couldn't, child. 1 used to
try and get him to shake of his despon-
dency, and not to think so much Of his
little aches and pains, but l was only
called unfeelins for my exertlons.
"Well, l would approach him differ
emily. Listen, mother, have plan"
And the two heads, one still brown
and handsome, in spite of the fine lines
of silver over the temples and the other
bright chestnut, drew close together,
and in the golden sunshine Of the besuti-
ful September day dark plot vas form
ed, and when Rob Harper came strolling
in with the most purposeless air thate
conceived q purpose, the same was i'm
parted TO him under seal Of secrecy. And
then, when Nellie CHANGED to walk ssf.
as the turn Of the road as Rob took his
way home, the doctor, driving past, was
halted, and made partner likewise in
the mysterious business.
The afternoon slipped away and the
dsy had given place to the purple twi-
light when Hiram Belton awoke from
his pleasant nap and stretched out his
hand for the pitcher of ice water usually
placed right by his side on such occasion,
by his devoted wife, but thi. time he felt
in vain. He pressed his hand on his
forehead and grosned twice, thrice, very
heavily, but there was no one who came
tip-toeing into the room to bend over him
and beg to know what could be done,
His groans grew louder and more alarm
ing and sill they produced no effect, 50
presently the invalid raised himselfslow-
ly, and advancing to the door, called
family:
Barbara
He returned to his couch at once, but
no Barbara answered, but in few min
utes Nellie came nonchalantly singing
into the room.
That you. father?" she said, care
lessly. Have you taken a lazy spell
too ?'
A groan was the reply, which only
brought forth, Drank too much butter
milk, eh l did myself, and l tell you il
save me a pain"
where's your mother p put i. th,
insulted invalid, glaring at his dsugh
ter.
"Gone to bed. She had a headsch,
aad / made her go, for there really wa
no reason for her keeping up if she fel
indisposed."
@No reason p snorted Mr.. Belton
And me as i'll as am wonder whit
she thinks is going TO nurse me but It'll
like woman to give up TO 1.-THE slightes
ache or pain, and just when they ar
needed the most"
sob, you will be all right in an hou
or two Father, if you don't mind III g
to prayer meeting with Rob Harper. B.
the way, mother said would you pleas
get the churn ready for her, and here
the key to the dairy"
She was gone before her ,irate paren
could frame the cutting speech he had /