Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1896-06-25

muCn OF his tlU1e III Ouc u TIC uptSA
rooms, which he had fitted up as sort
of laboratory. His interest appeared
to be divided between chemistry and
electricity, though whether his expert
ments in either had any object save his
own amusement never learned. Two
or three cases of books had been shipped
from Trent to my address, but for his
use, and, when he cared to read, a mis-
cellaneous collection of worthless could
he drawn upon. There were a few
Portuguese books and a few Spanish, a
good many in Latin, and still larger
number in French and in English. Bur-
toms Anatomy, Cicero's Letters, anil
Voltaire's works seemed to be his IA
vorites. say Seemed" for he never
took the trouble to speak Of any of the
authors he read.
He was still as cadaverous as ever,
though his general physical condition
was as good as could be hoped for by
any man who led SO sedentary life.
December dragged through its tent
pestuous length, and January followed
with an even more trying stretch of
gales and extreme cold. These condi-
tons he withstood 50 we'll that had
hopes that the winter would pass with
out illness at the house on the knoll;
but one day early in February I found
him suffering from severe cold and
exhibiting symptoms which were most
unfavorable. 1t was my first oppor-
tunity to earn the salary of his medical
adviser, and fortune was kind. AL
though he developed good deal of
fever, and at the worst it was touch
and-go with pneumonia, a week saw
him practically out of danger, though
still quite willing to keep to his bed,
and good deal safer there than he
would have been prowling about the
house. He expressed no opinion Of his
treatment, no thanks to his doctor, no
Impotence to be about again. was
his physician, hired by the year, and so
long as he was i'll my orders were to be
obeyed unquestioningly; there was
no need of gratitude either way. 1t
was all very logical, no doubt, but it in
creased my dislike for him. There
would have been more real satisfaction
in persuading a dropping sapling to
Keep alive.
After his recovery we slipped back
into the old routine. He gave orders
occasionally, and obeyed them, with
out question and without any great
heed for the reasons for them. In fact,
specializing upon this mans history or
his plans was such profitless business
that, for the time, 1 gave it up in dis
gust. lie was person who was to be
visited daily, who paid literally for the
attention, and who thus enabled me to
pass my many leisure hours in careless,
casy-going comfort. The people met
were no longer inquisitive about the
hermit; the theory of the brewer from
Charleston appeared to have spread
widely and to have been accepted, find
ing believers far more easily than
would have been the case with any state.
ment of the facts concerning him, so
far rs they had fallen within my knowl-
edge.
At last winter drew to Il close, and
spring came on, advancing coyly, as is
the custom of maidens before whom
the world is ready to bow in eager hon.
age. Then the last of the snow banks
disappeared from the recesses OF the
hills, the slopes grew green, and the
rank vegetation Of the marsh tourished
in all the vigor of its strong new life.
Once more there were birds in the trees
end flowers in the fields, and once more
from the sea swept invigorating
breezes.
To all about me spring brought re-
newed activities. There was a fine
hustle on the farms, and even the sleepy
village seemed to be awakened. For
the first time my ease became onerous;
I fell to inventing tasks to convince
myself that one could be busy if he
would. My horse, whose existence
during the winter had been all that
equine sloth could desire, was now in
steady service, for the roads were excel
lent, being sufficiently sandy soon to
rid themselves of undesirable moisture,
and l explored the highways and by.
ways for miles around. Near the viii
LACE let my stced choose his own gait,
but when we found level bit Of road
where there were likely to be TO spec
tators the trotter had TN opportunity
to prove his speed. He was all that Car.
penter had said for him; devoid of
nerves, yet, when pushed, by long odds
the fastest animal in the region. His
appearance certainly was against him
Arching the neck he left to the younger
and less philosophical of his kind; his
head was carried as low as that Of the
oldest and most decrepit pillow horse
in the town. He was free from the vice
of stumbling, yet often seemed to
threaten to lose his footing on the
slightest provocation. high knee
action was foreign to his notions, and
his ordinary trot was mere shuttle.
Yet he covered ground surprisingly,
even when apparently only lounging
along. His only serious fault, from n
practical point of view, was hard
mouth, which sometimes made it no
easy task to pull him IN after one of
our spurts.
We were jogging along toward the
village one day, when heard sharp
pnttcr of hoofs behind Inc, and soon
DIR. Banks clever little mare drew up
alongside the dark bay.
Good morning, Norris" her owner
called out, in his CHEEKY voice, which
had done as much for his patients as
half his prescriptions.
Fine day, DOCTOR" shouted back to
him.
Every professional-looklng nag you've
got there" he continued. will stand
without hitching, III be bound"
"IIe answers nv purpose we'll