Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1905-08-08
CHAPTER TX

CHAPTER TX.
Jethroe the elder in a wild storm of
wind and rain, was being driven in a
| dog cart along a country road. He was
| heavily clad against the weather, and
was in need of all his wrappings, for the
storm blew up bitterly from the lake. He
had been silent for an hour, and his
driver had been just as taciturn. The
wheels alternately droned and splashed
on rock or through mire, and the horse
in the shafts slogged along with an oc-
casional shake of the head. as if in pro-
| test against the singing rain.
Much farther?" Jethroe asked at
| last.
"Yonder," said the driver, pointing for
ward with his whip.
Jethroe made out group of houses in
hollow, all shrouded with the rain, and
minute later the wheels were rattling
noisily over a cobbled pavement. The
driver pulled up in front of an inn,
which. though of modest dimensions, had
an air of cleanliness and comfort, and
Jethroe, dismounting cumbrously. shout
dered big brown canvas travelling bag
and entered at the door.
when you've had the horse seen to-"
he said, turning as he reached shelter,
| come in and get some dinner"
The man nodded with an answering
grunt of acceptance, and, turning his
horse through a gateway, disappeared.
House" Jethroe shouted-''housew
The rain dripping from his macintosh
had begun to make pool about his feet,
when at his third call red faced man
opened the door and peered at him.
Wasn't expecting nobody to-day" he
said cheerily. ''Td fell asleep afore the
fire. I'll take your bag, SIR"
Let me have a private ROOM" said
| Jethroe, land light a fire. See what
can have to eat. And-tell mellow far
is it from here to DR.. Monboddo's
| houseY
"A matter of a mile" said the land
| lord; but, as it happens, the doctors in
| the kitchen at this minute
This way" asked Jethroe, pointing
to the doorway from which the landlord
| had emerged.
At the mans answering nod he cast
off his dripping macintosh, tossed it on
| chair in the hall and entered the room.
! 4 great ire glowed on the hearth, A
shabby, ponderous man, with loose lips
and a blotchy face, and a nose of ruby
and amethyst and carbuncle, was slipping
at glass with a relishing look, holding
the heavy tumbler caressingly in both
| hands. He looked casually at the new
conner and went on slipping.
How dye do, Monboddo?" asked
Jethroe.
The bibulous doctor stared.
J.,
Gus, husky rumble in his voice, Il think
! you have the advantage of me, sir"
| He fumbled short-sightedly about the
| table and found pair of spectacles, and,
| setting these astride that danger signal
of a nose he carried, stared anew, with
winking, watery eyes.
Come. now" said Jethroe, you
| haven't forgotten me?"
II don't remember to have had the
| pleasure of meeting you" the doctor an
swered.
! Come, now" said Jethroe; ''it is a
! longish time back, but you haven't for
gotten your old companion in Brazil"
"Bra-Brazilr' said DR.. Monboddo.
His flaming complexion paled and his
! big under lip began to SILVER like n
shaken jelly
Exactly" answered Jethroe, cheerily,
| I've travelled on purpose TO meet you,
| doctor! All! here is the landlord. Bitter
day, isn't it? Storm outside. Snug little
country inn; roaring fire; kettle singing
on the hearth. Quite Dickensy, isn't it,
Monboddo? You and | are going to
make an evening of it. How about din
ner, landlOrd?'
"Loin O. pork" said the landlord, in
Quiringly, and, meeting with a nod of ap-
prevail went on:
apple tart, bit o cheese an salary"
Excellent" Jethroe answered bolster
| CuSly. Couldn't do better-eh, doctor =?
Let me know when that fire has burned
up, landlord" cried Jethroe. II want a
quiet chat with my old friend here"
I've lit it Already" said the landlord.
shall US see about the dinner now?'
AT once, please"
The driver of the dog cart came stamp
ing in at this juncture. Jethroe sat idly
| gazing at the fire, smiling now and then.
as if his own thoughts tickled him. The
doctor slipped and shot wondering glances
a. him. The FIRE rustled, the wind roar
Ell in the chimney, an eight-day clock
| licked. and not a nod aas spoken for
half an hour. The landlord returned to
say that the sitting room was warm and
comfortable, and Jethroe, with a sudden
return to his boisterous mood, marshaled
Monboddo into it.
Now, doctor" he said. as soon as
the two were alone again, haven't you
made me out YETI?
II don't recall you, sir"
MY name is, for the present, Jones.
Remember that, will you? So long as l
stay here-Jones. But"-he drew a card
case from his pocket, and took card
from it-''that is the name by which you
used to know me"
Monboddo took the card with a shaky
hand and glanced at it. His fiery face
paled again. and his under lip again be-
gan to tremble.
Il remember now" he said, handing
back the card and fumbling for a hand
kerchief-"I remember now"