The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-02-24
TATTERS.


collected. find. as I look back. that
the one which includes Tatters is by all
odds the most satisfactory, not only in
results; though, to tell the truth, it has
always been question with me as to
whether Tstters or Teddy Archibald has
the better right to the role of hero In
the little drama which for months so
egreeably diverted me.
But as my acquaintance with Teddy
somewhat antedates my introduction to
Tatters. / have accepted that arrange
Ment, and have endeavored to mete out
an even-handed Justice in my very in
adequate attempts to describe two of
the most delightful creatures / have
ever known.
When first met Tatters's owner on the
seawall at st. Augustine, I saw only
long. lazy. picturesque boy of twenty
four or five, whose air of semi-invalid-
ism did not in the least distinguish him
from the hundreds of other invalids who
sadden the F'loridian sunshine with the
shadow Of coming death. But after rum
ming across him half-dozen times in
the course of couple of days, discov-
cred that he was one Of the handsomest
men that I had ever seen. and that
furthermore he was terribly ill-and then
as If to emphasize this fact, what should
Master Teddy do but take it upon him.
self to faint away within twenty yards
of where l sat in the little phaeton
which, with its accompanying pony, is
the one luxury from which never sep
arate myself. He came to his senses
with creditable rapidity, and Mr.. Stan
field. with whom I was indulging in a
safe, middle-aged Irritation, gave up, at
my suggestion. his seat at my side. to
allow some ready hands among the lit
tie crowd which had collected to deposit
handsome, helpless Teddy in the midst
of my numerous cushions.
He was quite conscious by this time.
and gave me an address, to which, after
some cogitation and several wrong
turnings, 1 at length found my way A
shabby little place it was, picturesque
among its orange trees and roses. but
with no suggestion of even that poor
comfort which is all that the average
st. Augustine boarding house at it's best
Affords. The ever-present darby who
emerged from the broken gate to hold
my pony's head volunteered no other as
sistance. combining himself to the some
what suDerfiuous announcement, Mist
Archibal mighty stck, sho' 'nufr,. and
poor Teddy was deathly white once
more before we reached the open door Of
what my accustomed eye recognized as
very much out-at-elbows studio A
bare little room. with nothing to rec
ommend 1t but good light and plenty
OF ventilation. while the disorder was
that OF similar artistic workshops, ex-
cept that. even at che first glance, there
were painful signs OF poverty and physi-
cal weakness.
Teddy dropped helplessly into the only
decent chair to be seen. while I, inter-
spersing occasional words of apology
poked about in holes and corners for
something in the nature OF restora-
tive. But by the time had begun to
suspect the uselessness of my search
Teddy gasped out:
I'm afraid you won't find anything
and really there is no need to take all
that trouble. I'm coming out Of it all
right, you know
But this case was one in which looks
were considerably more impressive than
words. and was at my wits ends to
know what to do with the poor boy
when, at the open door. appeared Mr..
Stanfield, who from that moment be-
came Enthusiastically an instrument in
the hands of Providence.
The doctor Is the man wanted here
think. Miss Leigh" he said, and, turn
Ing to Teddy. "Shall bring Foster or
Apparently Teddy had no preference,
Tor he only shook his head. with the
ghost Of smile and a long, hard breath,
which sent Mr.. Stanfield off like shot
Iii one may be permitted to use such
comparison in connection with an
elderly gentleman noted. as rule, for
his repose OF manner.
Luckily the interval was not long be-
tween his departure and the moment of
relief when the doctors gray head APP
peared at the door, A half-dozen pro-
fessional questions here asked and
answered. and then something admin
1stered from the doctors pocket-case
which brought back the faint color and
gave little strength to the tired voice
How long have you been here? Three
weeks, Ell? Seen no doctor? That's
bad: ought to have somebody looking
after you. All alone. too? HIM. this
The trained eye had taken in all the
surroundings. and DR.. Foster made no
excuse as he drew Mr.. Stanfield out of
sight OF the patient, whose disquietude
was only too evident. In the midst Of
the excitement I had until then only
vaguely noticed the sober face of a
small terrier, who throughout the whole
scene had kept close beside his master,
but / suddenly remembered the little
dog as Teddys faithful attendant when
ever / had met him. and thankfully
seized upon this a pretext for a
somewhat one-sided conversation. the
object of which was, If possible, to d.
interview going on outside.
What dear little fellow he u.s." I
said. "See, he seems quite puzzled; he
doesn't understand this invasion You
must tell me his name, for see he will
never condescend to begin an acquaint-
ance without a proper introduction"
AS learned before long, / could not
have struck a happier vein, and my af-
lection for Tatters dates from that mo-
merlt. So well-conducted a dog I have
never seen, and the few words which his
master was able to give him by way of
explanation put our intercourse at once
upon friendly basis. Tatters accepted
my interest In his master as sufficient
excuse for my unlimited presence and
before Mr. Stanfield returned the three
of us. Teddy, Tatters and /. were quite
at our ease, and indeed fairly launched
Iii the friendship which has lasted ever
since The quiet, business-like manner
with which Mr.. Stanfield told us the
doctors verdict was admirably adapted
to the situation, and the boy was really
too Ill to do anything but passively sub
NIT to the arrangements made as a
matter of course. by the elder man.
Briefly. the doctors directions, posi-
lively given and carried out by equally
positive hands, put the invalid to bed
FOR several days. at the end of which
time Mr.. Stanf1eld and /. between us,
had become pOssessed Of the main fac