Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-05-22

and sprawled comfortably in it, he
continued, I'm sick man. Cephas.
l guess my race is most run"
New, | shouldn't look at it that
way" Cephas began, but the other
cut him short.
You can't ever tell how you'll look
at things till you're brought face to
face with 'em. If it's got to come
as of course it has some time, 1
guess it might just as well come now.
The last of my potatoes is dug and
in the cellar, and Mary Catherine will
marry Sam Hallet soon after I'm gone,
SO that leaves her well provided for"
He sighed heavily. I'm resigned,
Cephas. I'm perfectly resigned"
Cephas squirmed uneasily in his
chair. Il should try to get little
sleep, If were you,' he advised.
"Sleep!'' the man on the bed snort
er, scornfully. 81 guess l sha'n't get
much sleep! My heads nigh Dustin"
TRY powder, taen. Maybe thatll
ease you some.'
He shook the powder from its paper
ont on the invalid's tongue and held
a tumbler of water to his lips; after
this he resumed his sprawling atti-
tude in the chair, and sat there in
preoccupied silence. There was no
sound to break the stiffness except
the ticking of the clock in the kitchen.
After time Mary Catherine went
to bed, and the silence became oppres-
sive. Cephas yawned frequently, and
presently began to nod. He was
drifting into comfortable doze when
a complaining voice from the bed
reused him.
you amt asleep, are you, Ceph-
as?" it inquired, with some asperity
Cephas pulled himself together with
an effort and sat up. Course not,
Eben!" he declared.
Because sha'n't be easy if you
get asleep" Eben explained. Pm
likely to be worse at any minute"
You needn't worry. I amt going
to Sleep" the watcher said, logged
ly. But nevertheless almost immed-
lately he was nodding again. His I'M
der jaw dropped; there came from
his throat an unmistakable gurgle.
Eben shifted disgustedly.
"Hey!" he called. "Hey! What you
dom now?"
Cephas started up guiltily, blinking
his sleepy eyes. He stared about
him for moment, as If trying to
collect his mapping wits.
What is it? What's wrong?" he
asked. Time for one of them pow
ders?"
mol" Eben snapped. "You we're
asleep!"
L wasn't either" contradicted Ceph-
as, vigorously.
Yes, you were. You were a-snor-
in"
Il hain't snored a mite"
Hain't ye?7 said Eben. "Well,
twas the best imitation ever / list
ened to-"
Maybe might ha' lost myself for
a minute Cephas admitted, "but l
sha'n't again.
IF have a watcher" said Eben,
Il want one to watch. not to show
me how many different keys he can
snore in"
Cephas looked hurt. For a time
he held himself upright to the chair.
Yet the rally was bat short lived.
Gradually the stiffness of his pose re-
Taxed. He sank lower in the chair.
Again his jaw dropped, and again he
sent forth series of cultural gurgles
which surpassed all former efforts.
Eben, who had dropped into doze
himself, was rudely awakened. He
sat up in bed, staring at the man
in the chair.
Don't 1t beat time,' he burst out,
that man can't be sick peaceable
in his own house! Hey there, Ceph-
as! What you dom? Just lost your
self again, I s'pose! Lost yourself
pretty thorough this time, amt ye?"
His voice had risen to a shout, but
Cephas snored on. An angry light
appeared in Eben's eyes. He came
oat of bed with a bound.
Il guess you need the bed more'n
do" he said, under his breath. Next
thing l know you'll pitch head first
out of that chair and break your
neck"
He snatched up his clothes from
another chair and began jerking them
on. Then he lifted Cephas, and laid
him gently on the bed. Cephas's eyes
did not open; his grunts and gurgles
went on noisily.
There was an extra blanket on the
foot-board Of the bed, and Eben, wrap
ping this about him, sat down in
the chair, grim smile curving his
lips. 1t grew more pronounced as he
| glanced at the recumbent form on the
patchwork coverlet.
| Il guess Ill have to put off dyin'
till can find some decent watchers"
he ruminated.
Mary Catherine coming downstairs
early the next morning, paused at the
door Of her fathers bedroom, and
caught from within the sound of
heavy, regular breathing.
Guess l wnu't disturb 'em now"
she observed, and 1t was not until
breakfast was on the table that she
pushed open the bedroom door. The
sight which met her eyes brought a
gasp of astonishment from her. On
the bed lay Cephas Blake, fully dress.
ed and still snoring Justify, while in
a chair by the bedside her father
dozed peacefully, his chin sunk on his
!. chest.
why, father she cried, you must
be feelin' better!"
The old man started up and grin
ned sheepishly.
81 am he said. "a good deal, I've
slept pretty we'll, and l should a.
slept more if Cephas hadn't snored
go. Coin to get breakfast"
ITS on the table. You comm
out?"
Eyes, I'll be out as soon as can
get him woke up" he said.
He went to the bed and gave Cep1l.
| as a series of vigorous shakes.