Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1905-05-30
CHAPTER XII.


CHAPTER XI.
IN ERALD BROWER, who was
III baby when came to live at
OGz| PARKWAY and was Aew elev-
en-, had caught cold in seed
time, and he had never quite recovered.
His coughing had begun to keep him
awake, and one night 1t brought alarm
to the whole household. Elizabeth
Brewer was up early in the morning
and called Uncle Nb. who went away
for the doctor as soon as light came.
We ate our breakfast in silence. Fa-
Their 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.. Bigsby was very great
man in that country. Other physi-
clans called him far and wide for con-
sultation. I had always regarded him
with kind Of awe intensified by the
aroma Of his drugs and the CLEAN of
his lancet. Once had been his pa.
tient, and then l had trembled at his
approach. When he took my little
wrist in his big hand remember with
what reluctance stuck out my CULVER
ing tongue. black, az feared, with evil
dences of prevaricaton.
He was picture for painter man
a. he came that morning erect in his
Gig. Who could forget the hoary mai
esV Of his head-his ''stovepipe' tilt
Cd back, his white locks flying about
bis ears7 He had a long nose, a
smooth shaved face and left eye that
was trife turned. His thoughts were
generally one day behind the calendar.
Today he seemed to be digesting the
Affairs Of yesterday. He was, there
fore. absentminded to degree that
made no end of gossip. II he came out
one day with shoe strings flying, in his
rsmorse the next he would forget his
collar; II one told him a good Joke to-
dag he might not seem to hear 1t, 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 little in silent reflection. He
know that color in the cheek, that look
n the eye-he had seen so much of 1t.
His legs were crossed and one elbow
thrown carelessly over the back Of
his chair. We all sat looking at him
anxiously. In moment he began
| chewing hard on his quid Of tobacco.
Uncle Eb pushed the cuspidor bit
nearer.s The doctor expectorated free
ly and resumed his attitude of reaec-
ton. The clock licked loudly; the pa
tent sighed; our anxiety increased.
Uncle Eb spoke to father in low
tone, whareupon the doctor turned sud.
denly, With little grunt of inquiry,
and, seeing he was not addressed, sank
I agairEtnte thoughtful repose. I had
begun to fear the worst when suddenly
the hand Of the doctor swept the bald
peak Of beneyolence at the top Of his
head. Then smile began to spread
over his face. 1t was as if some feath-
er Of thought had begun to tickle him.
In moment his head was noddirg
| with laughter that brought great
sense OF relief to all Of us. In slow,
\ deliberate tone he began to speak.
II was over t. Rat Tupper's t'other
day." said he Rat was sitting with
me in the dooryard. Purity soon q
young chap came in with scythe and
asked II he might use the grindstun.
He was new hired man from some
where near. He didn't know Rat, an
Rat didn't know him. So Rat O. course
had t crack one O. his jokes.
"'May use yer grlndstunY said the
young Teller.
Dunno said Rat I'm only the
hired man here. Go an ask Mis- Tup-
per-
1.-THE Oh lady had overheard him, an
80 she says t. the young Teller: Yes, We
can use the grindstun. The hired man
out there'll turn it fer ye'
RAT see he was trapped, an so he
went out under the plum tree, where
the stun was. an begun t turn. The
scythe was dull an the young Teller
bore on harder n wuz RELY decent
fer long time. Rat begun t git very
sober lookln'.
"'Ain't We bout done said he.
Purity Nigh said the young Teller,
bearin' down leetle harder all the
time
Frat made the stun go faster. Purity
soon he asked agin, Amt We done VT?
Purity nigh! says the other, feelin'
o the edge.
"'I'm DONE said Rat, an he let go o.
the handle. I dunno bout the scythe,
but I'm good deal sharper N wuz.
"'Youre the hired man here, amt
yer said the young Teller.
"'No. amt said Rat. I'D ruther
own up t bein' q liar than turn that
stun another minnit.'"
AS soon as he was fairly started with
this droll narrative the strain Of the
situation was relieved. We were all
laughing as much at his deliberate way
Of narration as at the story itself.
Suddenly he turned to Elizabeth
Brewer and said very soberly, "Will
you bring me some water in a glass?"
Then he opened his chest of medicine,
made some powders and told us how
to give them.
SIN few days would take him into
the big woods for awhile" he said.
"See how 1t agrees with him."
Then he gathered up his things, and
mother went with him to the gig.
Humor was one of the specifics of
DR.. Bigsby. He was always a poor
man. He had way OF Jumping his
bills. at about 80 much, in settlement
and probably never kept books. A side
Of pork paid for many long Journey.
He came to his death riding over the
1