Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1903-09-03
Continued.

boy" he said, but 1t will kill you
Don't touch--dont touch--don't
touch"
He nodded and went back into the
consulting-room, to compose himself
upon the couch for his evening sleep
which he took according to custom
and from which he awoke refreshed
and ready TO work for hours, late into
the night at his wearisome chimerlcal
task, with which he grew more in.
fatuated the more his reason sug.
gested that his work was vain.
The boy began to whistle very
softly as the doctor disappeared Then
he washed and wiped the glass, and
put 1t back in It's place ready for use.
After this he threw himself upon the
settee, took hold OF his right leg with
his left hand, by the ankle, dragged
II up, and held 1t across his body
rigidly as II 1t were a banjo and began
to strum imaginary strings with his
right hand, while In whisper he sang
song about yaller gal somewhere
In the south, with close-shut eyes and
long wide mouth, and 80 on, through
seven verses with chorus to each,
all Of which seemed TO afford him the
greatest qualification. and which he
supplemented by leaping up and going
round the surgery, holding out the
imaginary instrument for contrlbu-
tons
These were acknowledged with
proper darky grimaces and grns, and
seemed 10 be so abundant that Bob re-
turned to the settee, and this time
played the bones with couple of pair
saved from brisket Of beef, but with
out making a sound.
Another collection and another 81
lent solo, this time on the tambourIue,
which the boy pretended to beat with
frantic energy, ending by going on tip
toe to peep through the koyhole and
satisfy himself that tho doctor was In
n deep sleep.
There was no doubt about that, SO
the boys hour or two Of Indulgence,
on which he regularly counted, began,
He dashed at the settee, threw 1t
open, stopped down to take something
out, but rose again, closed the lid and
listened rs If afraid Of being caught,
Then Shaking his head, he ran to the
door, which opened into the lobby and
then into the street, from which place
he came, helping himself along by the
wall to the setteo, upon which he sank,
and after lying down and laying his
leg out carefully, he began to play
double parts, that of surgeon and
patient, lNor, after feeling the leg
and shaking his head, he said to him
self, "Ah, Wen soon put that right my
man."
Jumping up. he ran to drawer,
from which he brought splints and
bnndages. trottod back to tho sottee,
and with CHASTITY minutoness--th re,
suit of having been present Mt an ac-
cident, and studDus readings of Dir.
Charleys h0ols-he proceeded to set
serious compound fracture, assuring
himself that he bore II like n man. and
that he need not be under the least ap,
prehenslon, for In such healthy sub
ieCt the joint would knit together be.
fore long, and he would be as strong
ms ever.
All his was in company with the
business he was carrying ON of apply
ing the splnts and bnndaglng the
broken leg; after which, by aid Of the
doctors walking sticks, he limped to
the door ms hero was no one to carry
him, thanked himself for his Kindness
and in imagination departed, leaving
himself In the character OF the doctor.
whose walk he initiated as he drew
out large pill.boX. opened It. and
took small pinch OF magnesia as IL
II wero snuff
Another peep at the doctor through
the keyhole, and run to the door, to
make sure Of there being no intorrup-
tion thorc and then the boys face AS.
sumed very serious expression He
took the cloth from the little table in
the corner rolled up the hcarthmg
longwise, and tied 1t IN two places
with string, and then treating II as a
patient, he laid It on the ottco, and
drew over II tho table-coyor,
He was not satisfied, though, and
getting a square of paper, such as
would he used to wrap UP a bottle of
medicine he poked his finger through
twice for eyes, made slit for mouth,
and puckered the paper for nose.
This rough mask he tied ut the end
OF the long roll. drew the tablecoyer
up to the face, and then came to sec
the patient. carried 0n an imaginary
conversation with a colleague. and
ended by going to cupboard and get
ting out n long mahogany case,
oh, II our lsbeth would come in
now" he said with a chuclde. as he
rubbed his hands down his sides be.
fore proceeding to the greatest bit OF
enjoyment he had in his lonely life at
the doctors.
From the very first the doctors sur.
gerry and consultng.room had had a
strange fascination for him. and when.
ever he was missing, the maid.of all,
4.I a.