The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-04-03
J ow FIRST PUBLIsHED,l
CHAPTER xvu.-CoyrrvUED.


idge failing to put in an appearance TO sus-
tain his charge. the case was dlsmlssed; ouc
the manner Of the accused was SILL so
strange that the bench strongly advised that
a Careful supervision should be exercised
over him. His wife promised that he should
be well looked after, and there the local in
terest in the episode ended
The doctor paid a visit now and then, and
called perhaps little more frequently than
the necessities Of the case demanded. he
was youngish man, and had an inquiring
turn of mind, and the mystery about she
case made it interesting to him.
The patient remained completely taciturn'
and seemed to take no earthly interest IN
the people and objects surrounding him {;
and when be had been N this condition FOR
some time the doctor decided that some
thing must be done TO awake him from
his lethargy. he called at the cottage one
morning quite brisk and radiant.
Mrs. Potter" he began, 1--WE hit upon
the very thing for you. Here's an old Aus
tralian turned up, the son of my fathers
gardener. He found me out only yesterday
saw DIR. Hope on the door-plate and came
in on the chance of finding relative OF bis
fathers old employer. He's been away Tor
fve-and-twenty years, gold-mlning' s49p
berdiug, stock riding and what not. lies
made a little money, but not much. and he's
willing 70 take some light employment
which will bring him what he calls his
tucker. You know what that means, sup
pose"
20, yes, sir" said Matilda. fucker
means vittles, sir.
80 / gathered" returned the doctor.
"Well, now, this seems decent sort Of fell
low, and I've spoken 70 him about your
husband. I've told him be wants exercise
and quiet compani0nship, and think 1t not
at all unlikely that II you will agree to the
experiment it may do some good. The
mans Australian all over, and his manner
and his way of speech may help to start
something in your husbands mind. want
them to take long ramoles morning and
afternoon together. think it's a good idea
Il know the exercise will do good, and
hope you'll agree to it.
Matilda was quite willing to try the ex-
pertinent, though she looked upon 1t, per-
haps naturally. with less hopeful eyes.
THE mans name, " the doctor continued,
after her consent was secured, lis Atkins
William Atkins. I'll send him round at
once, and you had better start your hus-
band out for a walk with him this morning.
It's lovely day for a ramble."
Half an hour later the expected William
Atkins presented himself-a big sun-burned
fellow with great beard. He was tritie
Cruff in manner, and unconventional in COS
tune, but be had q kind and manly look,
and the little woman liked him at first sight.
He marched of with Sam, and brought
him back punctually TO the
o'clock dinner marched him
of again after a digestive interval, and
brought him back punctually TO o'clock
tea He came next day for the same
routine, and pursued it for many days there
after, and for long time. at every return
20 the house. Mrs. Potter questioned him as
20 her husbands behavior. Had he wakened
up at alli Had he taken notice of anything
or said anythingi Sans companion an
swered these inquiries so constantly in the
negative, that at last Matilda grew dis
and foroore to make them any
longer.
One bright morning, when the spring
was merging into summer, Atkins came In
as usual to breakfast, and offered his COM
mon salutation.
'Good mornin', boss. How dye find
yourself to-dayT
"Why,n said sam, breaking four
months silence, I'm PRETTY cheerful, thank
you, matey."
At this unexpected answer, the man stood
open-eyed and open-mouthed, and Matilda
rushed at her husband with a shrek of
Joy. and hung about him, laughing and cry
ing at the same time.
10, Sam, my poor, dear darling, you're
better. Amt you, Samq Do say you're
better, Sam. Say you're getting right
again"
"rm all right" .Ssm answered with a
strange stolidity. There's nothing the
matter with me-"
There has been. though" interjected
William Atkins. 1--we known you now,
boss, q matter of five months, and, that's
the first chin music l ever heard you play.
It's about the last thing as ever expected,
too. I'd begun to think as he was goin' to
put in the rest of his time a dummy,
missis"
He marched Sam out as usual that morn
ing, and though himself a man of few
words, became quite bright and converse
tlonal. Sam answered now and then, but
for the most part seemed TO speak at ran
dom until pausing at a stile which had been
favorite lounge Of theirs ever since the
warm weather begun, the two sat down side
by side TO smoke. Atkins had sunk into a
state of dreamy contemplation, when he
felt his companions hand upon his arm
and turning, saw d new expression on his
face. The vacuous look he had hitherto
known was gone, and the mans soul was in
his eyes again. The change was startling.
~ say, mstey, said Sam, haven't l seen
you somewhere afore to-dayW
"Why, yes, you have, boss" Atkins re-
sponded. ave been waikiki out with
you every day for pretty nigh five months
past"
mo" said Sam. "have you, though ~
Atkins nodded in solemn affirmation
"That's odd," Sam murmured to himself.
''That's - odd. Look here. matey, have
been queer againp
You have that" returned his comrade.
"You've never spoke a word for pretty
nearly half year till this morning."
They told me the same thing in Mel
bourne" Sam murmured again. I've seen
you somewhere afore," ne added with a
sudden renewed vivacity. I'D take my
Bible oath Of it."
you've got round again." said Atkins.
"That's where it is, boss. We've been out a
walkin' every day, and natural enough
now you're all right again. you find you
know me-"
''Tnat amt it. matey," Sam returned.
Look here. Was you ever in the Aus
tRaliasl"
Five and twenty years. more or less"
Twas you ever up on the Wallagongi
With a crowd of chaps that was cutting a
bush tracK therem
"Yes, was" Atkins returned, staring at
him curiously.
"You was cook 10 that crowd, wasn't
your
eyes, was" Atkins said again.
81 see you there, said Sam, and remem-
Der what you were doing. You was stew.
ing kangaroo tail in billy"
IL - -