Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1903-07-15
A CHANGE OF REMEDY.
BAXTER THOMPSON.

is it doesn't get on quicker. s'pose
I'm weak, that's what 1t Is" he an
swered resignedly, looking anxiously
out of the corners of his eyes Mt his
wife, who was doing n rough and ready
toilet In front Of the parlor mirror.
"You can't be very weak" answered
his wife, looking at him, Look at the
nourishmcnt you've I'D; bcsl'rs, every
body says you're loollin' so we'll. 'OT
do you feel now?'
Mr.. Willet inwardly wished every
body would pay less attention to his
personal appearance. He had been
quietly enjoying the last few days, and
would like to continue In the same con
dIton q little longer.
eve felt n bit faint while you've
been out" he said, feebly. "Td ave
'ad little tonic only l couldn't
move out OF my chair; praps It's not
too late now"
Mrs. Willet murmurcd something
her husband did not catch, ind looked
anxious.
".Anli 'ow's the f0ot?" sh2 inquired.
AIr. Willet looked down upon it, and
as it was swathed with many thick
ncsses of bandages, and there being
nothing else to say about 1t, he re-
marked that 1t felt hot.
"I've been treatin' you wrong, I'm
afraid" replied his wife. you've been
fed up too we'll in your low state. I'll
take your temperature
Bringing out a small glass tube, Mr..
Willet was commanded to place 1t I'M
der his tongue and not to speak until
it was removed. 1t being an impossi-
bility to do otherwise than obey, Mr..
Willet remained silent for the longest
four minutes he could remember. Mrs.
Willet then removed the instrument
of torture, took it to the light, and
examined 1t long and closely; finally
she shut It UP in Its case and returned
it 10 her pocket.
"Pll go and get your bed ready" she
remarked seriously. "You want to be
kept quiet; you'll be better up there"
II don't want to go to bed" said
Mr.. Ivillet, anxiously. "I'm very COM
Portable down here"
you'll go where it's best for you,"
answered his wife sharply. you'd
better be gettin' yourself ready now;
1 shan't be more than few moments
upstairs"
In a very unwilling state Of mind
Mr.. Willet was undressed, and placed
safely in bed Mt the unusual and, to
him, unpleasant hour of six o'clock,
and q summer evening into the bar
gain. Being left to himself lie found it
dreary time, and in the morning he
screwed up his courage to inquire after
the other invalids.
"They've all been treated wrong"
said Mrs. Willet. :"Like you. they
amt so well, so they're restin' quietly"
"In bed?" queried Mr.. Willet, anx-
iously.
"same as you," responded his wife.
you'll AVE some friends in tonight
that'll cheer you up bit"
'I'll come down and see 'cm,' said
Sam. weakly.
you'll do nothing Of the kind; you
lie where you are and get well. l
don't want ali my nursing to So for
nothing"
Mr.. Willet's remarks on nursing for
tunateIy were not heard-they We're
not complimentary. Mrs. Willet
smoothed his pillows, arranged the
clothes and said she'd bring him some
cruel later on.
81 don't want any," said the patient
shortly.
"Ah, you're losing your appetite, are
you? It's good thing you've got some
one to look after you and see as you
ave your food regular"
Mr.. Willct said nothing-argument
was useless: he lay and looked at the
limited view Of the world that was
permitted from the small window Of
his bedroom. The SUI was shining
brilliantly; he could hear coming faint
ly from the fields familiar sounds,
proving that the work was going for
ward where he ought to be assisting.
What n fool he was! Why had he not
gone back to work when lie was able,
instead of laying himself open to this
self-imposed confinement? Even the
knowledge that his fellow-suIferers
were in like position failed to bring
him consolation.
Evening had barely set In Oil one Of
the most dismal days lie could remem-
Der when voices below signalled the
advent Of anxious inquirers. Mrs. VII
let ushered them upstairs, but Mr.. VII
let did not seem Hospitality inclined,
and the look that greeted the good
Samaritans that entered could hardly
have been interpreted into one Of wei
come
"Sorry to hear you aln't SO we'll,
SAM" said one Of them; 1--WE all
thought YOU was a-pickin' up wonder
full"
tits surprisin' 'ow these things
turn" said another. Il 'ad brother
who sprained is ankle once, an e was
In bed three weeks"
Mr.. Willet glared at the last speaker,
and had he been anywhere else but In
bed his look might have instilled the
recipient with fear Of worse to fol-
low.
make yourselves comfortable" in
terpoaed Mrs. Willet. There's little
cordial down stairs I've been girin'
to Sam; e don't take 1t now. an it's
a pity to waste it. I'll bring it up"
The conversation was very one-sided,
Sam being treated to graphic descrip-
tions of some interesting evenings Mt
the Pig md Whistle from which he
had been debarred, the details Of which
were bitter-sweet to the hearer.
"Sam's not very lively tonight said
one, with commiserating glance at
the ruddy face. showing like IN angry
sunset against n white cloud of bed
clothes. 81 suppose it's not to be Won
dered at, though"