The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1903-07-16
local water tank during the three min
utes following OPT p. m.


Up at Hod Owens the patient was
restless. The eruptions on bis forehead
were growing in number, and more
were coming on his neck. He had also
somewhat violently declined the dou-
bled and trebled pOtions of pennyroyal
tea brought him by Mrs. Owens own
hand. The lady grew rcstive too.
When restive, she was vocal.
"Hod Oweny' she called over the
frail banisters. "You run down an
call the doctor. It's time he come"
"Is he worseY'
"Must be-gone back on best penny
royal from the lower medder farm.
Now, you hurry"
Mr.. Owen found an astounding num-
Der of people before his gate in clusters
on the other side of the street. AS he
came down his steps the first select.
man stepped from the crowd and said:
"Hold OH, there, Hod. Don't you
come another STEP"
Mr.. Owen halted from sheer sur
prise. Then his indignation rose to the
occasion.
"What's up?' he said, intending to be
insolent as sounding brass.
you're quarantined," replied the
first selectman, standing very straight
and important. a
you're a liarw retorted Mr.. Owen.
II hain't no such a Say, what's that
you said?" .......... .-..
"Quarantined! Quarantined for small
pox. The cookees got 1t bad. You an
the whole Owen caboodle's under ar
rest-o-ficiauy under arrest"
"Hod Owen" came a shrill call from
the rear, quit yer gallivantin' an go
for that doctorw ....
| Mrs. Owen prevailed. The first Sc
lectman, uttering sundry horrible
threats, fell back in good order. Mr..
Owen proceeded.
| His appearance in the highway
caused an amazing sensation. The
crowd, which had halted at a small
distance bound to remain within ear
shot, yelled some more and began an
active retreat up side paths. His prog
ress was accompanied by an off stage
chorus of slammed doors. In front of
the grocery eight men and a boy en-
gagged in earnest discussion of the days
news caught sight of him simultane-
ously and vanished in cloud of heels
and blue overalls. He heard the bolt
slide as he passed. He was very an
cry.
Dildoc had twenty-three persons on
the waiting list when Mr.. Owen ar
rived, walking resolutely in. A hush of
horror fell. One man began trying the
back windows. Dildoc's face cleaned
with inspiration.
"Owen," he cried, "you stand per-
fectly still. There's smallpox at your
house. Yes there is. know 1t. Now,
all here are safe. You'll be vaccinated
in twenty minutes. But did you meet
anybody coming DOWN.
"'Bout a quorum of tn total popula-
ton, I guess" was the reply.
"vaccinated, do you thinkr'
"Not in the runnin' gear by the
way they legged it when they see me.
Such a pa'cel O. -
Dildoc enjoyed a Napoleonic half
minute, while Mr.. Owen freed his
mind. Then he peeped out. The first
selectman had his ear to the keyhole.
somewhat sheepish.
"Go up street instantly" commanded
Dildoc, "and have every one of those
who met Mr.. Owen brought down for
vaccination. They're all exposed, and
we must check the epidemic and save
the town. It's all on you, know, but
you must do your duty without fear
and save the place. They object now.
but some day they'll make you a mon
ument for this. Do your duty like
| man." ...a .-...... ..
Dildoc sent Mr.. Owen home in a
most terrifying rubber coat, promis-
ing to come up and see the cookee in
half an hour. Before the man was
downstairs the procession resumed its
march. The first selectman was plain
ly doing his duty without fear. Dildoc
blessed him and kept on working. The
dollars exceeded his pockets. Soon he
had to use one of the many empty
| drawers In his desk His vaccine
points had given out long before, but
he halved toothpicks dipped In salted
water and met with no complaints. A
message of peremptory terms came
from Mrs. Owen, followed by another
and third. but Dildoc kept on vac
cinating, and the line did not thin out.
"Must have about all of emp he
whispered to the first selectman an
hour after sunset.
"No," was the reply; they're driv-
in in from the west part o. tn town
now, an some have come from down
river"
Dildoc wondered how Basin Mills
had kept this man SO long
The train left at 9:30. At 9:25 Dill
doc finished the last one. His meager
belongings were in a bag behind the
door. quite ready. A boy entered with
q note:
Doctor you come up this mint or wei
come down an fix yer. MIS- OWEN.
He sat at that empty desk and wrote
on the same paper:
Dear Mrs. Owen-On second thought.
find your patient has only the measles.
Keep him quiet. in a dark room. and give
him plenty of cool water Don't worry
him with pennyroyal and other useless
infusions. Don't try to drive them out.
There is no danger. Goodby.
]. P. DILDOC. M. d.
The contents of Dildoc's bag clinked
glcefully as he ran down the stairs to
Natah tho tYl in