Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1902-08-02
Charging the Enemy.

OIldl8lllS lut El6lly'
Old Glib Ezell went swinging and
upon his clutches down the
street and up the steps of his store.
It was the biggest store in town,
though not the smartest. Joe Beenan,
who had opened up the spring before,
1ust across the street, was running
Old Glib hard in groceries and hard
ware, and leaving him out Of sight
when 1t came to knick-knacks or dry
goods pure and simple.
"A man, who half knew, looked after
old Glib, then across at the sign of his
young rival, and murmured half to
himself, What a pity!" Another
man Who knew and also looked, lis
tened to the exclamation, and
it, sticking out his chin as
be spoke. Better say what
shame
What's a shame, Doc?" a third
said, coming up behind them. Doctor
Waters smiled half grimly. I'm not
quite sure-it seems to be the hitch in
the course of a true love-" he
answered.
Lew Bayne, the man who had
spoken first, shook his head ener-
ketfcaily Il meant that poor old fell
AaV'a legs" he said; Il suppose, Doc,
certain he'll never walk again"
\ Now you've got me-" the doctor
protested I'D risk my professional
reputation that fall he got on the
sIeety pavement did no worse harm
10 his shrunk shanks than barking
hem up pretty generally. There were
bruises of course, and on the shoulder
and side as we'll l told him he'd be
but and about in plenty of time for
he christmas trade, but from the
arst he stood me up and down that
ned never take another steady step,
aud so far I'm bound to admit he was
fight There's nothing on earth the
matter with his legs-nothing, at
least, that I or the other doctors can
Zee. Against that there is the fact
that the minute he tries to stand on
them they do the joint-rule act, dou-
bic under him as though they hadn't
the strength to bear up a spider. The
trouble must lie in The nerve. If that's
what you meant, l agree with you,
It's pity. l thought you had refer
ence to the trick he's played on Joe
Beenam
t. fhn
third Or the group. You know I've
been away six months! Tell me all
about it,
Not much to tell" DR.. Waters said.
you know FIorrie Ezell-"
II ought to-considering she sent
me away" Merton broke in ruefully.
You don't mean Joe is gone on her
like the rest of us? l thought
! You've hit it." the doctor said.
Joe did stand out mighty we'll against
the prevailing infection; but a man
never knows what's coming to him,
until 1t hits him square in the face
Lord To think of Joe-'the
bomb-proQf' we called him." Merton
chuck ed. How did 1t happen? Tell
nae an about it."
Merton newly evolved drummer,
had given what he would have called
'sa comprehensive order" Doctor
Waters also chuckled as he answered,
nodding his head by way of emphasiz-
Ing his points: We'll, you see it's
this way. The hour struck for Joe
when he saw Florrie Ezell swirling
around, & blue carleton angel, in a
waltz with Bob Acton at the Pattons'
party. Worries a pretty girl anyway
you see her; that night she was par
ticulariy fetching. But that wasn't
the thing-T insist Joes time had
come. He knew it. Soon as the waltz
was over, he froze to Florrie-didn't
get yard away from her all the
evening
4 1T was q freezing time, as l remem-
ber, Lew Bayne interrupted with a
laugh. Indian summer up to dusk
then cold rain, that turned to sleet
in short order. Say, didn't old Glib
set his fall that very night?"
I'm coming to that, if you'll wal" "
the doctor ran on. II tell you that
was sieet to remember. Joe, of
course, Wouldn't let Florrie walk
home though the Ezen house is only
ok blocks from the Pattons. No,
Stree Ee telephoned for the finest
xjR AZ the livery stable and bundled all
that blue tarletan in it, as snug as you
niaass heard Florrie protesting
thai she ought really to wait for
papa, but we all persuaded her pap
wouIdnk blink of risking himself upon
& pavement like glass. We ought to
have Known better-old Glib always
does She thing that any other man
would TED alone"
B hat he came" Merton said,
chuc @ more than ever.
You win-from yourself" Dr.
Waters answered. He came, he didn't