Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-10-19

n 0ERALD PROwER, who was a
vi baby when I came to live ut
10 PARKWAY and was now elev-
~ on, had caught a cold in seed
time, and he had never quite recovered.
His coughing had begun to keep him
awake, and n night 1t brought alarm
to the whole household. Elizabeth
Brewer was mp early in the morning
and called Uncle Eb, who went away
for the doctor as 500 as light came.
We ate our breakfast in silence. Fa-
Their and mother and Grandma Bis
nette spoke only in low tones, and
went to my heart. Uncle Eb returned
about 8 o'clock and said the doctor was
coming.
Old DR.. Bigsby was a very great
man in that country. Other physi-
clans called him far and wide for con
sultation. l had always regarded him
with a kind of awe intensified by the
aroma of his drugs and the CLEAN Of
Us lancet. Once ! had been his pa
tient. and hen l had trembled Mt his
approach. When he took my little
wrist in his big hand l remember with
what reluctance l stuck out my CULVER
ing tongue, black. as I feared, with evil
dences Of prevarication.
He was a picture for a painter man
as he came that morning erect in his
gig. Who could forget the hoary maj
esty Of his head-his 'stovepipe" tilt
ed back, his white locks flying about
| his ears? He had a long nose. a
| smooth shaved face and a left eye that
was a tri1s turned. His thoughts were
generally one day behind the calendar.
Today he seemed to be digesting the
affairs of yesterday. He was, there
fore, discontinued to a degree that
made no end of gossip. II ne came out
one day with shoe strings flying, in his
remorse the next he would forget his
collar; IL one told him a good joke to-
day he might not seem to hear II, but
tomorrow he would take it up In its
turn and shake with laughter.
i remember how that morning after
noting the symptoms Of his patient he
sat a little in silent reflection. He
knew that color In the cheek. that look
In the eye-he had seen SO much Of II.
His legs were crossed and one elbow
thrown carelessly over the back of
his chair. We all sat looking at him
anxiously. In a moment he began
chewing hard on his quid Of tobacco.
Uncle Eb pushed the cuspidor u bit
nearer. The doctor expectorated free
ly and resumed his attitude Of relec-
ton. The clock licked loudly; the pa
tient sighed; our anxiety increased.
Uncle Eb spoke to father In a low
tone. whereupon the doctor turned sud
denly, with q little grunt of inquiry,
and. seeing he was not addressed, sank
again into thoughtful repose. had
begun to fear the worst when suddenly
the hand of the doctor swept the bald
peak Of b%enevOlcnce at the top Of his
head. Then q smile began to spread
over his face. 1t was as II some feath'
err Of thought had begun to tickle him
In a moment his head was noddinG
with laughter that brought q great
sense of relief to all Of us. In a slow
deliberate tone he began to speak.
II was over t. Rat Tupper's t'othel
day" said he. RAT was sitting witt
me In the ~dooryard. Purity soon
young chap came In with q scythe and
asked II he might use the grindstun
He was o new hired man from some
where near. He didn't know Rat. an
Rat didn't know him. 10 Rat O. coursl
had Z crack one q bis Jokes.
"'May l use yer grlndstunT said thu
young Teller.
"'Dunno,' said Rat. I'm only 3ht
hired u here. Go an ask Mis- Tup
lsDer!'