Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1900-07-18

OLD PILLS.

AT Cyuuey Dr. SuftnVliie anu us
daughter Louisa took passage for home
in our vessel, the North Light of New
York. The doctor WAS n singular looking
man, wearing a red skullcap, a buff vest.
a blue coat with huge brass buttons and
a beard which descended far down his
breast.
His daughter, on the contrary. won the
admiration OF all hands by her delicate
beauty. her gentle manners and sweet,
kind voice. There was one among the
sailors whose appearance she seemed es-
pecally to like. He was a young fellow
of q named Harry Melton, who had left
home and gone to sea on account of col
lege serape.
Now the doctor, who was great adj
mirer of physical vigor, had early noticed
this young man and dazzled him with the
green light of his spectacles.
The next day the doctor caught several
tars pok!ng fun at him. Harry Melton,
although not joining them, was among
the party. perceiving which the doctor.
quivering all over with ire, walked
straight up to him.
49," he exclaimed, "even you-you,
whom ! have honored with my notice as
q model of physical perfection-have been
making game"
"Why, no. indeed" answered Melton.
II have not. But as to your honoring me
with your notice. sir. I don't understand
that"
At this the doctor turned very red.
Remember" he exclaimed threaten
ingly. II am the inventor OF IS pills."
Next morning. when he came up. the
first object he beheld was a huge placard
pinned to the mainmast and which read
as follows:
when Old Pills comes up. look out for
squalls"
AT once the doctors fertile mind pic
tured Harry as the offender. ''1'll give
him something that'll prevent his sleep
ing soundly for awhile" he muttered be-
tween his teeth. Accordingly he went
below and mixed with tumbler half fill
ed with brandy about four pills Of a red
dish brown color. These soon dissolved,
when the doctor. walking forward. asked
Harry if he wouldn't have drink.
The young sailor readily quaffed the
mixture. and n smile of triumph illumin-
ed the doctors face.
1t was In the middle watch the follow
ing night when a form with nothing on
but shirt and trousers might have been
seen running up the fore rigging. The
They saw 1t mount to the topsail yard
and glide lightly out on top OF it to the
end.
"It is Harry Meltonr exclaimed the
latter's bunk mate sleeping companion).
now emerging from the forecastle. HE
rose and got out OF the bunk awhile ago.
! thought he was awake, but now l be-
lieve that he Is walking in his Sleep"
An INN cd
down went Melton. falling with splash
into the sea. The men rushed to the lee
rail. But they did not see him rise
again and could therefore only conclude
that he was drowned.
The news spread rapidly through the
ship. Up came the captain and the doc
| tor, the latter looking very much fright
ened and anxious.
Papa. what Is the matter? What has
| happened?" exclaimed Louisa, as her
| parent came into the cabin.
"Why," answered the doctor self re-
proachfully, "he-that splendid physical
Apollo-that-that young man Melton,
you know, has been lost overheard"
Louisa just gave one scream. Then
down she went, white and senseless. The
captain soon restored her, but the poor
thing now was feverish and raving as in
a delirium.
The truth broke upon the Doctors
mind. This made his self accusation all
the more terrible. He left his daughter
in her berth and walked forward to cool
his brow.
He sat upon the knightheads when,
glancing over the rail, what should he
see but the person Of Melton, who had
come up under the vessels bow, and
clutching rope had, unseen by his ship
mates, climbed to his present position,
where, to faint to move farther, he had
remained ever since.
The doctor with a cry Of joy soon drag
ged him from his perilous position and
led him into the cabin. He was permit
ted to remain there until his recovery.
During that time he was carefully watch
ed over and tended by Louisa, who loved
him more and more the better she knew
him.
The three now live happy and content
ed at Greenpoint in a long, low house,
with boxwooded walks and huge will
low tree in front.-New York News.