Evening journal., 1905-04-08
cHAPrrR XI.


time and he had never quite recovered.
His coughing had bceun to keep him
awake. and one night it brought alarm
to the whole household. Elizabeth
Brewer was up early IN the morning
and called Uncle Eb, who went away
for the doctor rs soon as light came
We ate our breakfast in silence. Fa
ther and mother and Grandma Bis
nette spoke only In low tones, and
somehow the anxiety IN their faces
went to my heart Uncle Eb returned
about O'Clock and said the doctor was
coming
Old Dr Bigshy was a very great
man IN that country. Other physi-
clans called him I'm and wide for con
sultation. I had always regarded him
with q kind Of awe intensified by the
aroma OF his drugs and the gleam Of
his lancet once ! had been his pa
tient. and then ] had trembled at his
approach When he took my little
wrist IN bis big hand remember with
what reluctance stuck ont my culver
ing tongue black as / feared, with evil
Uenccs of preyarication
He was a picture for a painter man
as he came that morning erect in his
gig. Who could forget the hoary mai
esty of his head-his "stovepipe' tilt
ed back. his white locks dying about
his ears? He had long nose, a
smooth shaved face and a left eye that
was n tribe turned His thoughts were
generally one day behind the calendar.
Today he seemed 60 be digesting the
affairs OF yesterday. He was. there
fore. absontmindcd 10 degree that
made no end OF gossip. n he came out
one day with shoe strings Aging. In his
remorse the next he would forget his
collar; If one told him good joke to-
day be might not seem to hear it. but
tomorrow he would take il up in its
turn and shsse with laughter.
i remember how that morning after
noting the symptoms Of his patient he
sat q little IN silent reflection He
knew that color 10 the cheek, that look
In the eye-he had seen so much of it,
His legs were crossed and one elbow
thrown carelessly over the back OF
bis chair We al sat looking at him
anxiously. in a moment he began
chewing hard on his quid Of tobacco.
Uncle Eb pushed the cuspidor bit
nearer. The doctor expectorated free
ly and resumed his attitude Of renec-
ton The clock ticked loudly; the pa.
tlent sighed; our anxiety increased.
Uncle Eb spoke 20 father in a low
lone whereupon the doctor turned sud
denly. with a little grunt of Inquiry
tnd. seeing he was not addressed. sanb
igan into thoughtful repose. 1 bad
ucgun to fear the worst when suddenly
The band of the doctor swept the bald
peak OF benevolence at the top Of his
head. Then a smile began TO spread
over bis face. IL was as If some feath-
er Of thought had begun TO tickle him.
IN a moment his head was noddng
with laughter that brought a great
sense Of relief to all Of US. In a slow,
deliberate tone he began TO speak
Il was over e Rat Tupper's totheI
day" said he "Rat was sitting with
me in the dooryard. Purity soon a
young chap came in with scythe and
asked II he might use the grlndstun
He was a new hired map from some
where near. He didn't know Rat, an
Rat didn't know him. So Rat O. course
had { crack one O. his jokes.
May use yer grindstunT said the
young feacr
Dunno. said Rat I'm only the
hired man here Go an ask Mis- Tup
per8
"'rhe or lady had overheard him, an
so she says G the young feller Yes, y,
can use the grindstun The hired mar
out thcrcll turn it fer ye.
"Bat sec he was trapped. an so h,
went out under The plum tree, wher'
the stun was. an begun t turn. tn,
scythe was dull AM the young fele
bore on harder n wuz reely decen
fer a long time Rat begun G git yer.
B sober lookin'
faint ye bout dones said he.
Purity nigh said the young feller
bearin' down a leetle harder all tn
time.
RAT made the stun go faster. Purt
soon be asked ag'in, Amt ye done yiti
Purity night says the other. feelir
O the edge.
Elm done. said Rat an he let go {
the handle. I dunno bout the scyths
but I'm good deal sharper n ! wuz.'
I" You're the hired man here. ain
yer said the Young feller.
No. ] amt said Rat. I'D ruthe
own up c bein' a liar than turn tia
stun another minnit.'
AS soon as be was fairly started wit
this droli narrative the strain Of tn
situation was relieved. We were al
laughing as much at bis deliberate wa
Of narration as at the story itself.
Suddenly be turned TO Elizabet
Brewer and said very soberly, "Wi
you bring me some water ia glassf"
Theh he opened his chest Of medicin,
made some powders and told US hoN
to give them.
In few days I would take him int
the big woods for awhile" he sale
See how it agrees with him."
Then he gathered up his things, an
mother went with him to the gig.
Humor was one OF the specifies {
DR.. Bigsby. he was always a poe
man. He had a way OF Jumping hi
bills, at about 50 much. in settlemer
and probably never kept books A sid
of pork paid for many 4 long journe!
lie came TO his death riding ov-r ii
hills one bitter day not long amer IL
time OF which ! write to reach a d,
fient.
Tho havino ovar x.-o NOD, vo,a.. O.