The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-06-11
with alacrity and we can hunt around

with alacrity. "and we can hunt around for something to eat"
 Yes, gruel and milk toast and soft boiled eggs. and that kind of baby food. That's what we can find, and what I've been fed on for month now. I tell you, I'm hungry for boy food-sour ap- pies. and watermelons, and such like. Old Farmer Hoile's melon patch ain't far off. Let's hunt 1t up." Sam held up his hands in horror. Now. Sam." said Benny, decidedly, you setyour foot down on the wadin', but you ain't goin' to set 1t down on the melons. I'm just hungry for good cold watermelon, and whats more. I'm goin to have it, so come along, and we'll steal one"
 "fI have nothing to do with it," de- clared Sam in righteous wrath. I'm goin home to tell your folks to come and get you"
 "oh. you are, eh7 Well. nice talk in to you'll get for bringin' me out this way, sick as I've been. And I'll blame 1t all on you, see if don't, If you go off now; so you'd better think 1t over. Besides, tell you 1t won't do me any harm, and guess I know bet tern you. ought to. anyhow, I'm three years older"
 T tell you, Benny Atkins, won't be responsible for the consequences. Why, it's outrageous. Now we're goin' home right off,"
 Well, good by, if you really must be goin'. I'm goif' round by the melon patch, myself"
 Speechless with rage. Sam followed Benny straight to the melon patch, as Uncle enny knew he would. Though somewhat hampered by the romforta- ble which San. had pinned on in such way that he could not unfasten 1t. Uncle Benny managed to climb the rail fence After a short search, he secured a luscious-looking melon, and then sat down on a low rail pile to carve 1t with his penknife, Sam meanwhile looking on in silent indignation.
 Have a piece, Sammy" Uncle Ben ny asked cordially. My, but it's cold and sweet! Beats gruel all out and out"
 Sam did not deign to reply; but though outwardly stony, inwardly he was beginning tG yield.
 Well, are you goin' to eat it all yourself?" he asked at length, after watching Benny as long as he could stand it.
 ''oh. why no. I forgot you hadn't any. Here's a good piece. or shall we go steal anotner?"
 T should think you had enough on
  Sam severely, especially as you're go- in to die so soon anyhow"
 "Oh, don't be too sure about me dy- in. I'm pretty tough, and, anyhow. if I am, might as well go for sheep as a lamb," he added irreverently. Say, Sammy, just listen to the bugs a-hum- min"
 The melon finished. boy fashion, the two old crouies still sat on the rail pile lIeta loo fa ha nf the inQaCfS and the sound of the night breezes sn the trees, and drinking in the beauty of the moonlight falling around them
 "Sam, said old Benny. at last, this is heaps better than the young fool doctors sedative. l could go to sleep this minute right here on the rail pile. Besides, it's the first time I've had any thing to eat for weeks. Gives a fellow such a satisfied feelin'. If I'm goin' to die anyhow, I'm glad had this lark first"
 Well let's go home, now, Benny, replied Sam, rising stifiy. T can't help put allow we've had a me night Of it, and if 1t don't hurt you, l won't care It must be gettin' on to 'leven o'clock, and we'd better be gettin' back.
 Benny was very docile now, and sui fered himself to be led home peaceably. On the porch they removed their shoes
 
 to Benny's room. The house was very quiet Evidently Uncle Benny was right The family was too worn out to have noticed their absence, and the old reprobate chuckled softly to him. self A few minutes later Benny was in bed again and very sound asleep. Then Sam gave mighty sigh Of relief and straightway proceeded to follow suit.
 r. prised the nexs morning, and much pleased. How beautifullyshis sedative had worked! Sam smiled behind his hand He had fingered to hear the re- port of the doctor, and he had emptied the sedative out of the window toward morning-but it was not necessary to explain that. Then, too. the tempera- ture was almost normal. It was most remarkable! One unexpected symptom there was, however, which the young doctor couldn't understand. Uncle Benny had an old-fashioned stomach ache.
 Its very peculiar" remarked the doctor T have another case quite similar. That is a small boy up the street, but there's nothing strange about his case, for he'd been eating green apples and so on, and 1t would he more strange if he hadn't pain But with the plain diet you've had really can't acHount for it."
 Here Sam blushed, and Benny smiled a pallid smile through his collie.
 However" went on the doctor, "we"h soon correct that. lts nothing serious, and the general improvement is wonderful"
 Its good to listen to the two old boys" said Uncle Benny's niece to the doctor . few days later as he was leav- ing. Why, to hear them talking of the old bridge and the melon patch, you'd think it was only the other day they Were boys together. Really. doc tor. you seem to have been unusually successful In Unc.e Benay's case"
 Yes. the sudden improvement Is in deed remarkable" replied the young doctor oomplacently. T fiatter myself 1t was the carefrI jie., together with the judicious use of the sedatives that brought him round. No doubt the slightest laxity would have been most disastrous. I shouldn't wonder if Un- cle Benny has years ahead of him yet"
 From somewhere above 1oated down
 let tra1 1oIa