Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1902-12-04
CHAPTER III.

The sun was shining brightly when
MarlOWe awoke the next morning. The
moist, woodsy Odor of fallen leaves
came through the open window. The
air was sweet and crisp. A catbird
fitting about upon the edge of the YER
anda roof, squawked stridently-scold-
ing a tabby cat perched in the fork
of maple tree in front of the house
The cheer Of the bright morning was
infectious. Ralph forgot his dismal
thoughts and forebodings of the night
before, and WhiStled merrily as he
washed and dressed.
Just as he was finishing his toilet,
there came a knock at the door; and
he heard Clark calling:
Hello, Marlowe! Up YETI"
''Yes-come in.''-Turning the key in
the lock.-'It's nice morning"
'tYes,' said the operator.
GA beautiful morning" Ralph added,
facing the small mirror and giving a
final touch, to his tie.
Ready for breakfast" asked the
agent.
In moment"
''Sleep well?"
"I was awake but once during the
night
"That tipsy Crawford woke you up
with his caterwauling, did he?"
"Yes''
''He's a drunken nuisance. All ready
Well, come on. I've got. to get my
breakfast and be off to the station
Then as they descended the stairs:
Going up to call on the old doc this
morning."
81 shall beard the ogre in his den.''
maybe you willard maybe you
won't He's in the country good deal;
it may be day or two before you get
to see him."
''Does he lock up the drugstore when
he leaves?''
mo; leaves Jep Tucker there. Jep's
his hostler and man of all work-and a
character"
''He knows nothing of drugs?"
''No!-No more than a hog knows of
religion He just stays there and tells
people where the doctor is and when
he'll be back. The old doc hasn't had a
clerk for over two months. You'll find
things in mess"
''Why do you call DR.. Barwood the
old doc?"
Everybody does. Years ago there
was a young doctor of the same name
here-a nephew of old docs; and peo-
pie called one old doc and the other
young doc"
AS the two young men entered the
Office they noticed it had been swept
and busted. A fire blazed in the CRATE;
and the stone hearth had been secured
to snowy whiteness.
Passing into the dining room; they
found breakfast awaiting them. Other
boarders had already eaten and taken
their departure. A black-eyed girl in
white collar and apron served them
tiptoeing noiselessly about the bare
floor.
Both ate heartily-as young men have
a habit of doing no matter what their
perplexities. The biscuits were flaky:
the steak was tender. Ralph thorough
ly enjoyed his first breakfast in Baby
Ion.
When they had finished, Clark arose
and remarked:
81 must hustle for the station; it'll
soon be train time. See you at dinner.
Hope you'll have good luck and find
Doc Barwood at home, and make a, good
impression on him. The drug stores
three squares above here, up on the
level You can't miss it-a long, low
brick building. Keep a stiff upper lip.
Ta-tai"
The operator hurried forth. Ralph
took up his hat and sauntered out upon
the street. bending his steps in the di-
rectiOn of DR.. BarWood'S place of bust
ness He walked slowly, meditating up
on the reception he was likely to re-
ceive, and cursorily noting his sur
roundings.
The hotel stood near the summit of
the slope leading up from the river;
and beyond it lay level, sandy plain,
rolling away to the brown hills in the
distance The main street was broad
and unpaved, with sidewalks of foot
pressed cinders. Along it-with ample