The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1903-10-16

ne murmureQ, nalf aloud she WOulun I
really leave me, though the children
might. She'll surely come back, she
knows me, I'm not bad at heart, it's
the old Ketch temper that's the trou-
BILE; it's worse than a hereditary dis
ease, that occasionally skips genera
ton, but the Ketch temper never
makes miss"
He groaned aloud as he laid his
faults upon the shoulders of his dead
ancestors, then went TO the barn to
work over his sick horses.
The distemper had made the horses
ugly, and they laid back their ears and
stamped threateningly when he ap-
preached them.
THE Ketch temper seems to have
got into them, l wish they had all of
it," Andrew unused. Then, he never
knew how it happened, the big black
colt had his arm in his mouth, and
was crushing it as in wise.
For an instant Andrew was blinded
by the pain, then he planted a savage
blow upon the colts nose. The colt
dropped the arm and it fell to An
drew's side, where it hung, limp and
helpless.
He knew that he must have doctor,
but his nearest neighbor was half a
mile away, and Andrew shrank from
wife and children had left him. He
could not harness horse with one
hand, there was nothing left for him
but to walk to the village, two miles
distant. Dr. Hudson was his cousin
and Andrew felt that he would under
stand and sympathize with him.
Hes got Ketch enough in him to
know what it is; I'll go right to him."
Andrew resolved.
He managed to adjust sling to sup
port his arm, then threw an overcoat
about his shoulders and started on foot
to see the doctor.
1t was growing dark, the air was
full of drifting snow and as Andrew
plodded steadily on the pain in his
arm grew more and more sickening,
until, when he reached the doctors,
he had just strength enough left to
stumble into the house and sink into
chair.
What now, Andrew" asked the
doctor.
Andrew motioned toward his arm
and told, family, how it had hap
pened.
A brief examination showed the doc
tor what was to be done.
Bone is pretty badly crushed. I'll
have to put your arm in plaster cast,
and you must be put to bed. Msry'll
have fine time waiting upon you,"
the doctor added, sarcastically.
"Mary-Mary, and the children have
left me-" stammered Andrew.
The doctor was making preparations
to set the broken arm, and did not TN
swer Immediately, at last he said:
so Mary has left you, has she? I've
wondered, a good many times, how
she managed to endure life with you.
You've given her pretty hard run
ming, Andrew"
Its the Ketch temper that's to
blame, John; you're Ketch enough to
have it, too, and you know what it's
like"
Eyes, know I've got my share of
the Ketch temper, but l keep it to my
self; don't go around showing it off
to everybody. And I've usually no
ticed that where the Ketch temper
goes the Ketch will and resolution
go with it, and it's better to exercise
them than the temper"
Nothing was said while the doctor
swiftly and skillfully set the arm and
encased it in plaster bandages If he
felt any sympathy for his tempery old
cousin, the doctor was careful not to
express it by look or action. When
he had finished he asked:
Now what are you going to do?
You ought to be in bed this minute;
you must be quiet and have good care
for few days, or you will lose your
arm, perhaps your life"
Il don't know what to do!"
who is going to take care of
you?"
Il don't know, nuther do 1 know
who's going to take care of those
sick horses and do the chores"
He closed his eyes YEARLY; suffering
and fatigue overcame him, and he
tainted.
Mary Robert! Emily! come
here" the doctor called. They must
have been close to the door, for at
the first word, they rushed in.
Help me put him upon the COUCH"
commanded the doctor
When Andrew opened his eyes it
was to look into his wife's face.
'Mary-Mary," he gasped, and We.
again, Mary" His voice told how
glad he was, you haven't left me?
dreamt it."
mo Andrew, if you had listened at
the door moment longer, you would
have heard me tell the children that l
had long ago decided that you need
me more than anyone else. Robert
and Emily have planned to go to-
night on the midnight express, but if
you want them"
''Yes-yes-" Andrew interrupted
eagerly, "of course 1 want them, Rob-
ert-Emily-" he looked imploringly