Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1895-06-30
THE DOCTORS MISTAKE.


hNeu unt stentatlously. He had never
been married. and was not known. 10
have any relative In the world. save a
nephew. who lived on a farm some
hNe or six miles away. About Ave
years ago the old man and his nephew.
Allan Easily. had quarreled, since
which there had grown UP silen; os-
arrangement which had never been
bridged over Allan was OF proud
nature, never given TO toadying, and
he consequently determined to carve
out MS own fortune independently OF
dead mems shoes.
For time things went tolerably
we'll but bye-and-bye disaster fol-
lowed disaster. and the young farmer
was Mt length compelled to face the
fact that. in spite OF his resolute
energy, he WINS losing ground year by
year. Again and again Hilda. his dutl-
full wife, implorcd him. FOR the sake OF
their young children, to pocket his
pride and endeavor to enlist the sym
patty and help Of his Uncle Benjamin.
~ would sooner perish" said Allan,
"and see the children suffer slow star
walton than appeal to him. / hate HIM
and were to 20 near him l would be
tempted 10 strange or poison him.
Things did not Improve on the farm
and. to stave on an Immediate and
fearful catastrophe, Allan Mt length
had recourse to firm of money-lend-
ers. The result OF these negotiations
tided the young farmer over his DIM
oulties for time. but the reckoning
day doomed on the horizon, and peace
Of mind thenceforth became an un-
known elemHnt in Allan Eastly's life
He became moody and misanthruploal,
treated his vito with harshness and
ifritnbllity whenever she attempted nd
vice. and finally made sorrow worse by
endeaVoring to drown IL In alcohol. He
became frequent visitor at the Rlack
Bull, n licensed house In the adjoin-
ing village The nelghborug farmers
who used" the snuggery OF this hotel
were not slow in realizing the dcsper-
ate financial condition OF their con-
frere, and, on several occasions. Allan,
instead of Disgusting his position, open
" avowed that he was ON his last
legs"
But few days afterwards there
came steadying point In Allan Eastly's
life. After repeated demands, the
money-lenders became implrtunatc.
and finally swooped down upon the
formstead. and placed the customary
his youngest child was taken seriously
i'll. Allan dotted on his little four
year-old. and his cup Of sorrow was
consequently filled TO the brim. Scatel
by the little bed. the young farmer
gazed wistfully into the sleeping face
of his child.
oh, that he could raise the money!
He would do anything could he but re-
trleve--. Stay would he? II was
possible that a reconciliation might he
effected between his uncle ane him
self, if he would but dlssIpate that
proud, revengeful spirit which seemed
TO have taken such completc possession
OF him. Allan paused, waverod, lncNod
once more at the hot, restless little
head. now tossing YEARLY upon the
pillow. and finally, covering his face
with his hands. burst into tears. aud
determined to visit his uncle the next
day.
Several matters OF Importance con-
1ected with the farm detained him in |
The morning. He seemed moody, and |
lisinolined for conversation. His wife |
Watched him curiously and noted with |
iismay the peculiar look which sat |
upon his face. He never communi- |
,ated his determination to hor. SO |
frequently had he exhibited anger on |
his very topic that he could not now |
BRING himself to mention It. ! He saw |
he look Of misgiving which tenantod |
her face, and 1t annoyed him and added |
o the Wild haggard expression which |
vat upon his. He saddlcd his horse In |
iilence, mounted and rode away only |
ihouting back to Iilda that he would |
,e back within an hour. In ten minutes |
le was at the market town, dismnunted |
rom his horse and entered a chemists
hop His purchase was a significant
ne, consisting Of a pound OF white
lrsenic." He had no difficulty In nro. |
uring It, His statement that he re-
luired IL for wheat dressing and the
act that he was a farmer were quite
to justify Mr.. Bolus In hand
ng the dangerous commodity over.
'unctual TO the time he had stated,
Illan rode up to his house, partuok OF
hasty meal and then set out on foot
or his uncle's residence,
Allan Easily was not aware that
benjamin Westlake had been seized
With sudden illness some few DAYS
previously, but such was the case.
he old man was III in bed. Allan
cit particularly gloomy as he trudged
n his way, and frequently lapsed into
distraction. wondering what would be
he result of his mission. Whilst pom
ering this problem In his mind he was
ccosted by u stylishly-dressed but
bombastic man Of about his
wn age.
se peeh tVlu tndt you re Allnn |
easily said the stranger, land !
hould imagine that you're on your
ray to visit old Benjamin. It's no
God, though; you're out of II, I'm his
on, you know-at least, you/don't
now, because you're not aware that
he old 'un has ever been married, Bur
e has-marrled In Australia; and I'm
ne only outcome OF II. My mothers
cad. I've been up to the old man. and
els satisfied with my papers. WHATS
lore, he's going to alter his will this
cry night, I'm on for the lawyer now.
gu were In IL befOre-left everything
Tut after tonight. you'n be out OF II.
se? / only hope ! won't have to wait
ing before l handle the pieces. Ia,
~ and the man twirled his cane and
alked quickly away.
The young farmer was so astonished
what he had heard that he was un-
BILE TO reply to this strange visitor
or moment he paused. as II In
lined TO return, but, with a settled.
ard look on his face, he quickened his
.eps In the direction OF his uncle's
otise. Night was beginning to fall az
q entered. He was speedily ushered
ito old Westlake's room, and the old
ian motioned TO the nurse to retire.
his woman had been his housekeeper
" many years. and held high hopes
iat she was mentioned In her masters
III. She was quickly aroused inco
isplcidn when Allan Easily entered,
nd although she left the room. she ,
ngered outside. with her ear to the
Il have heard strange news on my
ay here" said Allan, addressing his
ncle.
'Unpleasant news, too. I doubt not"
piled Benjamin.