Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1896-12-17

|
go to sleepi"
"That would make it about hal
past o."
He paused, but few moments latel
/ heard him muttering TO himself.
"Confound it, old chap" began.
~ was just trying to figure it out. >
he went ON. at takes "a hours for the
world to make a complete revolution.
Where do they begin to reckon the time
any way?''
"oh, don't know. Let's see. Green
itch, I belieye-yes, Greenwich, am
ure. Now for heavens sake, go''-
"Well, if it's half past at Green
rich. what time is it on the other side
Of the world-in China? What time is
1t in Peking, Hal?'
"Hang it, Tom" said, rising i'm
patiently.
"Tell me, old boy. Iwant to know.
"About half past g." l hazarded.
"That can't be right, you know.
There is q screw loose somewhere. 1t
mt be that
/ concluded that arguing with the
poor fellow would be in vain, SO re-
turned to my chair.
"Hal."
did not respond.
"What time is it in Peking?"
jumped up quickly and went to the
bed.
"Now, see here, Tom, this sort of
thing is utterly absurd. Your life is
hanging by the merest thread. All you
need is sleep. We have all done what
we could, and now you will have to
take hand yourself. What the deuce
have you to do with time or Peking
now? Come, go to sleep. There's a good
fellow
II know I'm acting like an ass, old
boy, but can't get the Internal thing
out of my head. If 1 could figure it out,
| would be all right, for do feel bit
sleepy"
"Well, I'll sec if the old lady knows"
| said indulgently. "What am to ask
her?'
"The time in Pekin," he said feebly.
"All right" replied. Then / ran
down stairs to the landlady.
MRS Slemmer, Tom wants to know
what time it is in Pekin.'
Lord bless me, Mr.. Carson, 'ow
should
"Got a geograpby-'cyclopedla? AL
most any old book will tell. "
"Why, l amt got no books Mebbe
the children
Just then two Of her youngsters came
tumbling into the room.
Freddie, go for the DOCTOR" l said
desperately. "Nell, run over the way
and get geography. Here. take this
from door to door until you get what it
calls for
Iwrote a brief note explaining the
circumstances and got the children off.
Then went up stairs.
One glance at poor Tom gave me to
understand that the dreaded fever had
again asserted itself. His eyes were su-
pernaturally bright, and as entered
the room his features wore look Of
unrestrained anxiety.
"Well," he asked irritably, "didn't
you find out?"
"Not yet, but I'll have some books
here in minute.
In two or three minutes l heard the
sound of rapid footsteps on the stairs
and hastened to the door. I met the
grocer's WIFE
81 hurried as fast as could" she
gasped. II saw Nell, and-and here
is the book. Poor boyl Shall go in?"
1 seized the book and, perceiving that
it was ready reckoner, returned it
forthwith to its owner.
Other steps were now heard OH the
stairs, and in few minutes the narrow
hallway and even the room itself was
thronged with sympathetic neighbors,
who had placed themselves and their
meager libraries at my service. All,
however, failed to contribute any in
formation which would meet the exact.
ing demands of the invalid. The floor
was strewn with all sorts Of literature,
varying from toy picture books, con-
tanning pictures of Cinnamon, to tech
nical works on navigation and house
hold economy, but still the feeble voice
which emanated from the bed inspired
me to olamor for more. I cursed the
inherent ignorance of the Anglo-Saxon
race. I Irailed, stormed, perspired and
trembled for the safety OF my friend.
But all was of no avail. Finally heard
q murmur in the hall.
The doctor had come
Leaping forward seized him by the
lapel of his coat.
"What is the time in Peking?" I cried
in his ear.
what is the time in Peking?" de-
manded Mrs. Slemmer, barring his way
to the bed.
"How the devil should know" ex.
claimed the astonished doctor, as he
made his way through the group that
surrounded his patient.
"Here it is! Here it is!' shouted q
voice in the hall. and an old, white
haired gentleman with book in his
hand was pushed by dozen eager
hands into the room.
The volume was opened, and the de-
sired information was before my eyes.
SAT lastp' I exclaimed "Here, doc
tor, have it. 1t is''-
"Hush!" said warning voice.
A moment later the hand of the Eng
lish physician was laid gently on my
shoulder.
He knows, my boy. He knows -
Exchange.