Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1902-11-04
CHAPTER II

Ieet.
CHAPTER II.
When Atherton returned with the doc
tor, a little knot of workmen were stand
ing near the door of the office, whittier
the manager was speedily borne when
Gripp made the truth known to the
clerks, who had observed the ironworker
running past.
The doctor entered the Office in his
brisk way, glanced at the man living On
tie sofa in the back room, felt his pulse
and shook his head Atherton who was
standing at his elbow, opened his mouth
to speak, but his question was anticipat-
ed by one of the owners, who had entered
the mill yard just as the manager was
borne to the Office.
What do you say, Doctor"
He is dying"
Atherton started. He looked around
him guilty. His hands trembled. He
wondered if anybody observed his man
ner. But all were looking questioningly
at the doctor.
1T is apoplexy-and a very bad case at
that
rs there nothing you can do for him?
Do you require whatever may
earnestly.
I'VE can do very little. Our art is
futile in many instances-this, | fear, is
one of them" said the doctor; ''the usual
remedies will be tried he added, as lie
/ took off his coat, and, calling upon those
near him. busted himself with the in
sensible manager.
In the meantime, Mr. Meeker was ques-
tioning the clerks
when did this happen? How long is
it since he was seized? Where was Pc
tersg"
The clerks were silent. One made a
sign, indicating Mr.. Gripp, who was
standing near, looking now at the group
working with the manager, now at Ather-
ton.
1t was worthy of note that Atherton
did not at any time meet Mr.. Grips
eye. Once or twice he glanced at Mr..
Gripp furtively.
Mr.. Peters," said Gripp in a calm
tone, as he looked straight at the owner,
he was talking to Mr. Anterior. in the
yard, when he fell--dropped just as if
he had been shot. Just a little while ago.
Not more than ten or twelve minutes.
loay be not so long"
"Ahi Were you ,nenr?"
Not near enough to prevent him from
falling"
Il see blood on HIM. How did that
come there"
Il think he struck his head-at least
there was piece of iron just where he
fell. Mr.. Anterior was nearer to him
than ] was"
Tell us all about it, Atherton?' said
the owner.
The puddler swallowed the lump that
rose in his throat as he turned in answer
to the question; he trembled as the eyes
of those present turned upon him. On
their part, they attributed his nervous
manner TO the shock.
Indeed, Mr.. Meeker, l don't know
that l can tell you any more than Mr..
Grip has told you. l met Peters Just
where he fell. He fell so quick-it was
so unexpeeted-neither Of US had time TO
catch him. His head hit an ugly lamp of
iron lying at the corner of the shed.
That hurt his head"
"Humph" said the mill owner. in
meditative manner. Had Peters been
doing anything? Lifting, or walking
quick. or was he in his usual mood''
The little office seemed to reel an in
slant, then Atherton. whose eyes were
riyeted upon Gripp, controlled himself
why. then. to tell the truth4 we had
some words about my furnace. Mfr. Gripp
heard all that passed. l was mao, so
was Peters. when this thing happened"
Abr said the owner again: then he
looked annoyed.
II guess" said Atherton, who was now
resolved to tell the whole truth, I'D best
just begin at the beginning. and tell you
/ all that passed"
The ownvr put up hand, and lowered
his voice.
.Hushl Time enough when he dies,
and the coroner is called in. as he may
be- There is no use making matters
worse by letting everybody know he was
| in passion Say no more until you are
called upon. Atherton. Then you and
Mr. Grip can give the necessary testi-
mony. Poor Peters, he was very faith
ful man.
The doctor rose up suddenly. and the
others fell back filed with the awe sud
den death inspires.
You may say he was now; he is dead,
Mr.. Meeker"
Then the group in the Office snndder
ingly bent over and looked down on the
1
presence IL 4.lind to give the necessary
directions.
send worldly some discreet person
you. Nilsson, break the news to his -ela-
tiyes- He has a brother and sister. And
send word to his boarding house Attend
70 Il st once Poor PETERS, very faith
mi fellow he was to as"
As the owner turned away, he brushed
his eyelashes. He was iDexpTessibly
schocked. Now that al was over. lie
wanted TO get away. He was a man who
had horror Of death. He said TO him
SELF he would have the sofa on which
/ Peters died removed at once. He was
stepping into his buggy when he turned
/ back 70 the little knot Of clerks
-Of course you'n shut she NIL down
az once-jusS as soon as they run the heat
out
Then he spTanr into his buggy and
drove swzy. he felt that he must do
something to make him forget the dying
scene De had lust Witnessed The PIC
lture Peters presented as be lay On the