Middletown transcript., 1896-10-10

Mf e.: :::;'' g.: ''.' y. ';;::: :: G:
book before him on the table ant
looked over it at the open CRATE beyond
where the fire had died down to mas
of dull-red e0als, and an unsightl.
quantity of ashes was distributed ovel
the hearth. The office chairs, excep
the two or three In constant use, wer'
undeniably dusty, and the carpet. de
spite the awkward but vigorous ef'
forts at sweeping that had been ex
pended upon it, was neither bright mo-
tidy. The Doctors thoughtful eye'
scarcely took in these details; his medi
tations were of something else; but i
occurred to him, vaguely, that TIM
place wore dreary, unhomelike air.
Hewas thinking of pair Of brown
eyes and grave, sweet face. Such Wis
ion might have made the old room
seem bright, but that the eyes had o.
late grown SO shy of meeting his, ant
the face SO calm and cold when il
chanced to encounter him. He die
not wonder at it particularly. "Thirty
five years old, and grown dull and
plodding from a life Of early care ani
hardship. What should draw her tt
you, Maxwell Caseyr' he questioned
faint smile at his own folly fitting
over his lips for an instant and losing
itself under the heavy mustache. Sud.
denly rapid, noisy step sounded upon
the stairs, the door Was pushed oper
and closed with a slam, and fresh
young voice called cut breezily: "Hel.
10, Uncle Maxl''
"Well, Joe?" responded the doctor
quietly, unmoved by the invasion.
Joe entertained no doubt of his well
come. He tossed his car, ,and few books
bound together with strap, upon the
table, dew chair to the hearth. and
elevated pair Of small feet upon the
fender.
SAINT they muddy, thought Got 'em
that way runnin' 'cross the street to
get last tag from Tom Snyder. Did it.
tool He couldn't get any from memo,
sirl Say, Uncle Max, this is not much
of a firep'
"My Office boy don't half-attend to
it," said the doctor, raising his eye
brows. &
"Hol' laughed Joe. 81 think you
ought to have a boy to look after
things while you're studyin' up on old
bones and all that. I'll come myself
one of these days. Wish I could do it
now; 'twould be lots more fun, than
school is," he added wistfully.
The doctor surveyed him from the
toes Cf his muddy shoes to the top OF
his curly head-no great distance-and
laughed softly as he saw the air Of
conscious ability TO fill any Office, with
which he drew himself up and thrust
his hands into his pockets.
"What's come of my jacket-but-
tons?n asked Joe, fancying that he read
that question in the glance bent upon
him. "Why, some of 'em tore off,
that's all. What does 60 with 'em,
Uncle Maxp cause mas always askin'
me and don't know. B'lieve they
just tear themselves off every time Pm
havin' fun and amt watchin'. Oil
look herel We're goin' to have splen-
did time some OF these nights, I tell
you!'' exclaimed Joe, forgetting his
perplexities in sudden blissful remem
brance. ssThere's lot of us fellers-
we're a band-and Tom Snyder's got a
kettle-drum, and Bills got IA OIL a
trumpet, that's what it is; and one of
the boys says he can get his fathers
old base-yiol. We've got flag. and
some of the fellers has torches-real
lamps on poles. you know-and some
Of 'emll have lighted sticks. We've
had it round in backyards ever SO long,
and now we're goin' to march some
night and have percession, only we
haven't any name for US yet. Tom
wants it sSnyder's Cavalry cause he's
captain, and he always wants every
thing named for him. Bnt I'd like
something about the torches in it
Light Bearers. or 'Torchers' or some
thing.D
".Tortures' :" would be very appro-
pirate name." commented the doctor,
awakening from his reverie in time to
hear the last sentsnceer two, aud rec
ollecting the din that had reached his
ears on various evenings of rehearsal.
"Wonld itp" questioned Joe delight
edly. But Uncle Max Esaapsed into
silence and walked awaXnto the win
dow.
A gray fog was settling down upon
the town, making it dark early, and al
ready lights were beginning to shine
out from the shop-wIndows, here and
there, along the street. Passers-by
hastened their steps. as If anxious to
escape fIom the misty, depressing at
mosphere to the warmth and bright
ness Of home, the doctor fancied. A
thought of those waiting homes made
him glance once more about the room
in which he stood. Familiar it was,
surely; it ought to DO homelike, since
IL was all the home he had. His place
Of business during the day; the lounge
in the small back room served for q
bed at night, and for his meals there
was the restaurant near by. What
more could busy bachel0r-pny sician
ask9 He went up to Brother Georges
occasionally. He was glad to meet
George and liked to see the others well
enough. but they always appeared %