The advocate., 1895-05-01

Dobbins' side The surgeon removed the wounded
mans hands from his breast where he had been
tenaciously staunching his dreadful wound; but as
there was no indication that any instrument of death
had penetrated the Rakestraw coat, that garment
was removed and deeper search instituted. Still
no indication of a wound. Finally, James, who had
taken the coat, held it up and exclaimed:
"Hesh tbs, masss surgeon HeahP'
Pointing to hole in the back Of the garment be.
tween the shoulders. Gertrude sniggered, but man.
aged to look innocent before her fathers frown got
focused The surgeon turned Dobbins around, and
there, sure enough, was the awful wound. And it
had been bleeding, too. wound which the point
Of needle might have made; triAing scratch.
James was sent for water, the mortal thrust was
Solemnly sponged off, and court plaster did the rest
Then Dobbins was restored to his coat All affected
to treat the matter very seriously The surgeon
graVely and very truthfully observed:
"Had the weapon penetrated an inch or two deeper,
sir, the wound might have been very dangerous, if
not fatal. AS it is, am happy to say it is fortu-
natey not serious, although the shock has evidently
been great. l congratulate you, sir, upon your mi
rsculOuS escape"
| Gertrude sniggered again and left the room to
have free laugh and to avoid tribulation with Still
well. The Chief Justice, who had seen Dobbns "on
the wing as it Were after the trouble at the Court
house, was forced by his risibles to also retire.
"You think I shall recover?" feebly inquired
Rakestraw of the surgeon.
"No doubt of it, sir. Happily, no vital spot was
touched You will be about again in few hours,
hope. For the present, you had better take some
repose In order to from the consequences Of
the shock"
And with Stilwell holding one arm, James the
other the wounded man went to his room.
When Stilwell came down again, he sent for the
Chief Justice and the two consulted for some min.
utes. Then messenger was dispatched for the
sheriff and several leading citizens besides the other
judges When all had arrived consultation was
held concerning the situation. The caucus lasted
till noon and was resumed after an adjournment of
an hour. 1t was finally agreed that the Chief JUS
tice should address letter to Governor BoWdoin
urging him to send force of militia to Worcester
at once, This letter was to be signed by all the
Judges, by the sheriff and by the leading citizens
men OF property, of course-includng Stilwell; and
it was to be sent by special messenger who should
leave on the stage which would leave within an hour
for Boston After much discussion, and much ex-
Cuse making person after another felt called
upon to decline the proffered position it was unani.
mousy agreed that, because Of the great danger he
had himself incurred that day, Dobbins RakestrsW
was the very man for messenger; he having just
entered the room and by his presence given rise to
this suggestion AS he could see no danger in going
and as he feared great deal Of it in staying and as
the exploit would be a glorious one to boast of to
Gertrude who, he suspected had begun to doubt his
courage while the arrival of the militia would afford
him sweet revenge upon "the low-born fellows" who
had so insoently frightened him, DObbins, with
much show of utter reckeSsness of danger, con-
sented to bear the important message to Boston.
Gertrudes room was directly over that where
these arrangements were made, and she had heard
every word. In a little while she went out ito see
the rebels" at least, that was the explanation she
gave upon leaving the house.
Ito be cOnttnued)