Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1903-09-07
Continued

Don't touchdown tOucn-uOnL
touch"
He nodded and went back into the
cunsuIting-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 chimerical
task. with which he grew more in
fatuated the more his reason sug-
gested that his work was vain.
The boy began 10 whistle very
softly as the doctor disappeared. Then
he washed and wiped the glass, and
put it back in its 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
il up. and held it across his body
rigidly as II it were a banjo, and began
TO strum imaginary strings with his
right hand, while in a whisper he sang
a song about a yaller gal somewhere
I'm the south, with close-shut eyes and
a long wide mouth. and so on, through
seven verses. with a 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 cOntribu-
lions.
These were acknowledged with
proper darly grimaces and grins, and
seemed TO be so abundant that Bob re-
turned 10 the settee. and this time
played the bones with a couple of pair
saved from brisket of beef, but with
out making a sound.
Another collection and another ST.
lent solo. this time on the tambourine,
which the boy pretended to beat with
frantic energy, ending by going on tip
toe 70 peep through the keyhOle. and
satisfy himself that the doctor was in
a 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 IL
open. stopped down 10 take something
out. but rose again. closed the lid, and
AA@NENAEA A@ III MAAAAM u WEAAAH GaAEA@s
Then shaking his head, he ran TO the
door. which opened into the lot 1y and
then into the street. from which place
he came. helping himself along by the
wall 10 the settee. upon which he sank,
and after lying down and laying his
leg out carefully. he began 10 play
double parts. that OF surgeon and
patient. For, 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 a drawer.
from which he brought splints and
bandages, trotted back to the settee,
and with CHASTITY minuteness-the re-
suit OF having been present at an &C
cident, and studious readings of DR..
Charley's bOoks-he proceeded TO set
a serious compound fracture, assuring
himself that he bore it Ike a man, and
that he need not be under the least APP
prehensiOn, for in such a healthy sub
jet the joint would knit together be-
fore long, and he would be as strong
as ever.
All his was in company with the
business he was carrying on of apply
ing the splints and bandaging the
broken leg: after which, by aid of the
doctors walking-sticks, he limped to
the door. as here was 10 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 a large pill-bOx. opened it, and
took a small pinch OF magnesia as If
q were snuff.
Another peep at the doctor through
the keyhOle. and a run to the door. TO
make sure Of there being no Interrupt
ton there. and then the boys face as
sumed a very serious expression. He
took the cloth from the little table in
the corner. rolled up the hearthrug
longwise, and tied IL in two places
with string. and then treating il as a
patient. he laid il on the settee. and
drew over Il the table-cover.
He was not satisfied. though, and
getting a square OF paper. such as
W0AAA DC W1GA " wrap ~ a 11NNA1 -
medicine. he pOked his finger through
twice for eyes. made a slit for a mouth,
and puckered the paper for a nose.
This rough mask he tied at the end
OF the long roll. drew the table-cover
up 10 the face. and then came 10 see
the patient. carried on an imaginary
conversation with a colleague. and
ended by going to a cupboard and get
ting out a long mahogany case.
oh. II our Lisbeth would come in
now" he said. with a chuckle. 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 COnsulting-rOOm had had a
strange fascination for him, and when
ever he was missing. the maid-ofall-
work. who rarely showed her face out