Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1900-01-06
OLD PILLS.


At Sydney DIR. Smithville and his
daughter Louisa took passage for home
In our vessel, the North Light OF New
York. The doctor was singular looking
man, wearing a red skulcap, buff vest,
4 blue coat with huge brass buttons and
beard which descended far down his
breast.
His daughter, on the contrary, won the
admiration of all hands by her delicnte
beauty, her gentle manners and sweet,
kind voice. There was one among the
sailors whose appearance she seemed es-
pecially to like. He was young fellow
of q named Harry Melton, who had left
home and gone to sea on account Of a col
lege scrape.
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
tnrs poking fun at him. Harry Melton,
although not joining them, wns among
the party, pcrceiving which the doctor,
quivcring all over with ire. walked
straight up to him.
49," he exclaimed, even you-you,
whom have honored with my notice as
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. don't understand
that"
At this the doctor turned very red.
"Remembcr." he exclaimed threaten
ingly. 81 am the inventor Of IS pills"
Next morning, when he came up. the
first object he beheld was huge placnrd
pinned to the mainmnst and which read
as follows:
when Old Pills comes up, look out for
squalls"
AT once the Doctors fertile mind pic.
turcd Harry ms the offender. "I'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 II he wouldn't have drink.
The young sailor readily quaffed the
mixture, aud smile OF triumph illumin-
cd the Doctors face.
1t was In the middle watch the follow
ing night when form with nothing on
but shirt and trousers might have been
seen running up the fore rigging. The
watch on deck looked at it in wonder.
They saw II mount to the topsail yard
and glide lightly out ON top OF it to the
end.
at Is Harry Melton" 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 be-
leve that he is walking in his sleep"
An imprudent sailor shouted. At this
down went Melton. falling with splnsh
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
cned and anxious.
Papa, what is the matter? What has
happcned?" 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 overboard!'
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 rnving as In
a delirium.
The truth broke upon the doctors
mind. This made his self accusation all
the more terrible. lie left his daughter
in her berth and walked forward to cool
his brow
Hc 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 n rope had, unseen by his ship
mates, climbed to his present position,
where to fnint to move farther, he Ind
remained ever since.
The doctor with n 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 mora 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
lnxu traa L., frnnt N.u ynrE Nawa