The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-01-21

shaded my eyes IrOm the gas, wet the
towel again and asked to look at my
tongue, and then departed on tiptoe.
I was DOING when Mr.. Bowser came
up again, carrying a dish in his hand.
I scented the odor of fried sausages
n nearly expired
II happened to think of what my
grandmother used to say" he observtd,
as he sat the dish down. She always
c~ontended that fried sausage was bet
ter than any doctors medicine. AS
soon as you can eat three or four I be-
lieve your headache win entirely dis
appear"
1 think it hurt his feelings a bit be-
cause / refused to make an effort, but
he soon got over It. Then he remarked
that his Aunt Ellen suffered for 20
years with headache, but finally learn
ed tha if she sat propped up in bed
they would go away within an hour. I
tried it to please him., but was so much
worse after Is minut that he agreed
that his Aunt Ellen must have a
asthma instead Of a headache.
He then announced that headaches
were caused by too much blood in the
head, and that if ! was bled the relief
would be instant. He offered to play
surgeon with the corn knife. and was
considerably put put when I objected.
I managed to tell him that I was sleepy
and he said he would go downstairs
and get things ready for breakfast. He
didn't go at once, however. He spent
ten minutes giving me advice as to
how to get to sleep, and how to stay
asleep after I got there, and the ex-
p~eriences of his grandfather, grand
mother, mother inc Aunt Ellen were
given at length to illustrate his points.
How Mr.. BOwser got things ready for
breakfast I did not learn until the next
ground coffee and allspice together, mix
ed sausage, corned beef, cabbage, oat-
dropped the wipingcloth into the tea
kettle. When he came up again I had
there As soon as ne began talking TO
so you are here, are you, you misera-
stage whisper. 1T can't wiring your old
neck here and now, but don't forget that
and there is a chance that she will,
I'll be the death OF you within I'VE min
geance will only be delayed. I have
viii"
The cat got downstairs and out on to
the back fence as soon as possible to do
some thinking, and as soon as Mr.. Bow
ser discovered that 1 was awake he Of
fered to so over to the drug store and
get me some Epson salts, carbolic acid.
chloride OF lime or anything else any OF
his family had ever heard Of in connec-
ton with any ailment whatever. When
I replied that I needed nothing in that
line he offered to go out and arouse the
butcher and baker and bring in pork
CHOPS and graham bread. He suggested
ling i've minutes descanted on the viz
tues Of hard cider as a cure-a1l.
AS I wanted nothing but sleep to cure
my headache he decided to sit by me
and read me to sleep. Under the cir
cumstances I couldn't tell him that If he
would go downstairs I would be asleep
in ten minutes. He Doh around for
a book, but the only thing at hand was
a copy of the voyage Of Captain Cook.
That was as good as anything to Mr..
Bowser. Every word seemed to go
through my head. but I shut my eyes
and gritted my teeth and let him read on.
How many islands and continents the
Captain dicovered I shall never recall to
memory, but l recOIect that he had been
discovering here and there for a number
of years when he landed to be eaten
by cannibals. Mr.. Rowsers voice be-
trayed considerable emotion when ne
reached this point. He had never been
eaten himself, but he knew how it must
be. The natives were working away when
I fell asleep and lost Mr.. Bowser. the
cannibals, the captain and all else.
1t was daylight when I awoke. My
headache was all gone, and I was myself
again. Mr.. Bowser had also read himself
to sleep. He sat in his chair in q heap,
the book on the floor beside him, and the
cat on her back asleep, with legs in the
air.
by George!' exclaimed Mr.. Bowser. as
whether you would pull through or not.
You were an awfuIly sick woman, and
but my loving care and know
through And now you let this be a great
moral lesson to you to behave yourseIf!"
1905, by T. c. McClure.)