Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1903-03-12
CURING A
MEDICINE EATER
By CHARLES N. HARGER.
GO YOU'RE the new clerk from

quickly TO see whence came the sharp
nasal tones. i saw-but unlike Caesar
was conquered. The object that met
my gaze was a tall, ungainly female
form, clad in bright green gingham
dress, with other "fixings" in harmony
with it both as to style and hue. She
was watching me closely with pair
of piercingly sharp eyes that fairly
made my own quail.
SWELL, young man. don't set there
an gawp at me in that way. Be you
the new clerk from back east or amt
you? Can't you answer civil ques-
tion?"
well. ma'am," said l, feeling that
must say something, 81 am just from
the east and am Mr. Blake'S new clerk,
il that's what you want"
"Wa-al, I'm Melissy Higgs. | live
out here on Turkey creek" she went
on. "We've got little claim out
there an are tryin' to improve it. But
! amt well. Why, you wouldn't be-
lieve all the trouble I've been to since
/ come TO Kansas. It's jest awful, as
I've told Higgs lots Of times; there
amt nothin | amt had. I've been
| ailin' considerable the most of my nat
ural life Once back in Iniiany / had
| dyspepsy and then the liver com
plant an consumption (gallopin' con-
sumption, mind YOU an ! can't re-
member when / amt had the pneu-
mony. Oh, it's caution, the things
I've gone through"
Really, ma'am," said I, doubtfully,
81 don't see how ! can help you. am
an entire stranger and"
"Wa-al, s'posin' ye be- she broke
in, Saint you druggist? Amt you
jest from the city where they know
lots Of things that these people out
here on the prairies don't dream OFF"
Il am a druggist that is certain;
but I do not see how / can be Of any |
particular service to you on that ac-
count"
'I'll tell We. Ye see just heerd Of"
A longer and lankier specimen of |
humanity (if such a thing were pos
sible) than the specimen addressing |
me opened the door and entered the
store. He was a typical gray" from
away back. In spite of his appearance
there was something about his twink
ling eyes and good-natured face that
made one suspect that he was less a
fool than he looked | took him to be
Melissy's husband, and his first words
fy,, Ia I
was evidently much put out about
something.
Miss Higgs," said he, interrupting
my yoluble visitor. SIS them your do
in's?" He held before her a bill from
the rival drugstore, which showed
sum total of 1929 for medicine pur.
chased in the past three months.
"Berdin just give me that" he went
on. "What in the world could you have
got with all that money!"
well, let me see: There was Bust
eds Balm, 10 bottles-for my sore arm
you know"
and then there was six bottles of
Perdy's Purifier, and six of his Pearl
Pins. ! got them cheaper because l
took an even DOZEN
you did? How much do they usu-
ally cost, then? Berdin has charged
me dollar box
"The thief" she exclaimed. "He
told me | should have them for 10 dol
lars, I'll go right now and see about
III" and she lounced toward the door.
When she had gone, Mr. Higgs be-
came confidential.
"She is the ornariest woman ! ever
did See" he muttered with despair ,
laden sigh you don't know what
cross she is to me. She's a good wife
and mother, but her bills for patent
medicine nearly swamp me every year.
You've just seen one Of 'em. Every
new medicine that comes out she buys.
We've got bottles enough up to the
farm to more'n stock this here store
Of yours. She's just heard of a new
kind of electric bitters that have been
Invented, and don't doubt she'll want
% order some"
"Yes," / responded. "She was talk
ng to me when you came in as though .
she was interested in my coming from
he city"
That's It. She wants TO know if
you've heard Of this new stuff. Say.
cts fool her Pretend to give her
iome, and We'll expose her an see if
{ won't have an effect toward curin'
Ter Of her foolshness"
l agreed, and we were busy discuss
ng the details when Mrs. Riggs re- +,
turned. She looked at us rather queer
v when she entered.
you men folks get acquainted ,
mighty quick" she remarked
l suppose Higgs and looked guilty. !
1ut she ratified on without stopping:
Il fixed that all right with Berdin.
The price was put up by mistake. He {
pave me two extra boxes Of pills to ]
make il even"
Riggs groaned,
"Wa-al, Melissy III 60 down to the ,
hardware store and get some nails $