St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1901-01-19

at ms slGe, take him to the stable and
see if you can bring him around" Then.
turning to me. he continued: Before
offer you any apologies, sir. come into
my Office and letme attend to that wrist
of yours. 1t is much swollen"
1 had not noticed ii before, but he
was right. The pressure of the dogs
jaws had left it numb, but with the re.
turn Of feeling came intense shooting
pains that I could scarce keep from
showing in my face as followed him
up the walk to the door of the house.
where I saw little sign that read:
"Dr. Pemberton, Surgeon" After
bathing and dressing my wrist. on
which he had found the skin broken
in two places. the doctor asked me 70
tell him all about the affair. As told
him, leaving out, however. the young
lady's part in the occurrence, his face
grew serious. "And you didn't provoke
him in any way?" he asked. NO." I
answered; ''he was nearly upon me be-
fore I saw him. my mind being greatly
distracted at the time" 'What with ,"
II was a peculiar question, but he was
the kind of a man to whom everybody
takes at first sight, and his kindliness
and evident sympathy impelled me to
relate to him my circumstances, and
did SO without reserve.
"Strange." he said. after a moments
silence. 81 have never known that dog
TO attack any but a trespasser before.
I must see him. Wait here moment"
In a few minutes he returned, un-
wound the bandages on my wrist. exam
ined the wounds. then said: 1T will be
best not to take any risk. For dog OF
Jacks intelligence to attack we'll
dressed stranger on the sidewalk, and
unprovoked. can only be interpreted in
one way. / must cauterize those
wounds"
had scarce resumed my coat after
he had completed the painful task
when there was light tap at the door
and Miss Pemberton entered, but as
she caught sight of me she suddenly
exclaimed: "What makes you SO pale -
The doctor answered for me. Il have
Just cauterized the wounds on his arm.
We both thought it best. as could as
cribe no reason why Jack should attack
him." "And," added, quickly. seeing
she was about to tell her part of it, Il
did not care to take any risks, whatever
might be the cause"
Whether it was at what had said. or
the way looked at her when said it.
at any rate, she turned her head to hide
a blush that covered her face. How
ever. l must confess that my apparent
she thought it. for l realized that there
could be no more efficacious or rapid
Vehicle. TO the intimacy hoped to ac-
quire with her than the possession Of
common secret. So when she changed
the subject by asking me to take sup
per with the family l consented with
as much reluctance as could simulate.
At supper the intoxicating nearness Of
her presence and the little assistance
she gave me as she insisted upon my
using but one hand completed my
downfall, and / left the house tina.
night considerably more in love than a
bookkeeper without a position can well
dare to be.
A few days later I was surprised to re-
ceive the following laconic letter:
"My Dear Young Friend: I am getting
old nough to want to retire in few years
and / want somebody to fill the niche that
l shall leave. j want a follower of my own
training. A surge on must be a man of great
presence of mind. strong of nerve and OF
hand That you fill this bill know. ard
that your character and habits are satisfac.
tory l have ascertained. If you are willing.
come tomorrow ard We will complete the
ARRANGEMENTS Sincerely yours.
ROBERT PEMBERTON."
After the doctor had explained his
pIans to me further, and they were
certainly magnanimous, l said: "Doc-
tor. i need not say how much appre-
ciate your kindness, and will gladly
agree to everything; but before We
close the agreement want to give you
a warning that may make you with
draw your offer. My presence in this
house will necessarily throw me much
into contact with your daughter, and
the consequences. to me, at least, may
be disastrous"
For once in his life the doctor was
nonplused, but after a few moments
thought he took my hand and said: II
am thankful to you for your candor. I
have always put off as an evil the
thought of some day having to give up
my daughter; but if she marries you
will no: lose her, will II"
Thought how very seldom the young
men of to-day take into account the
feelings of the fathers whose homes
they deprive of their brightest light
and in whose hearts the loss Of daugh-
ter even by happy marriage leaves an
aching void.
MY answer 10 him was commonplace,
but il was sincere. and certainly felt
that in giving me his daughter he would
gain son.
And so it was.-Bookkeeper.
Vigorous Mea0uFea.
For long time the favorite form
of make believe" of little Faith was