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

The soft dusk of an early autumn
evening was falling when the doctor
came from the sick room into the spot
less kitchen where Mary Catherine
sat.
How'd you find him, doctor?" she
asked, anxiously. Is he real bad
OFF,"
The doctor gave little reassur-
ing nod as he seated himself in chair
near her own.
= The fact is, Mary Catherine" he
said, lowering his voice that his words
might not carry to the invalid in the
room beyond, your father has never
in his. life been sick enough to realize
what real illness 1T. He hasn't any
standard of his own for comparison,
and consequently, when he's a trifle
indisposed, as he is now, his imagin-
alton gets away with him. It's a
coda simple, old-fashioned cold,
nothing more nor less. Maybe he's
bit worn out, too. 1t takes hold of
man who is on the wrong side of
seventy to work as he does. But
there's nothing in any way serious.
He'll be as good as new in few
days. But you can't make him think
!. SO. He firmly believes that this is
the beginning, of the end, and you
can't possibly get the idea out of his
head. End" The doctor chuckled de-
lightedly. I'D give good deal to
have half the constitution he has
now!"
Mary Catherine gave a sigh of re-
lief. 'Im. glad it's no worse" she
said This afternoon / was real
worried"
Naturally, naturally" laughed the
DOCTOR, "He makes a fuss out of all
proportion to his ailments. I've left
some powders for him You might
give him one. every two hours as
long as they last. And I'd humor him,
If were you. If he gets any COM
fort out of thinking his time has
come, why, let him think so for day
or two. 1t won't last longer, war
rant you."
He picked up his hat and medicine.
ease and went out at the back door,
calling cheerful good night over his
shoulder. "A moment later the rumble
of wheels told of his departure. Hard
gy had the sound of them died away
when voice called enormously from
the bedroom:
Mary Catherine, where are you?"
Mary Catherine hurried into the
presence of the invalid. He lay in the
high,posted beu-a we'll preserved old
man with huge frame and small, dark
eyes that looked at one piercingly
from beneath their bushy white brows.
There was something plaintive in
them as he turned eagerly to his
daughter.
"What'd he say?' he asked, curtly.
He says you're going to be all right
in a day or two, father" was the
cheerful response.
"He never" the old man fatty con-
tradicted. "or if he did, he was try
IN to deceive you. That's somethin'
I amt goin' to do. I'm goin' to be
out an out with you. Sit down.
Mary Catherine sat down on the
edge of the bed. I'm sick man,
Mary Catherine he went on. cts
been comm on this good while. I've
for this world.'
20 sho, father!" his daughter de-
preciated.
Il amt long for this world" he re.
peated with some warmth, as if dar-
ing ony one to dispute him. II guess
can tell pretty well when my times
come. I feel it in my bones this is
goin' to be my last sickness"
You'll feel different in the morn
Ing" Mary Catherine declared.
No, / sha'n't. I'm sick mana
terrible sick man. cal'late it's pneu-
mony or the beginning of a gen'ral
breakup. ! sha'n't ever be any better.
Doc, he's always hopeful, cause that's
his business, but he can't fool me.
He stuck that glass tube of his under
my tongue, an that's just what he
did to Rance Moulten when he had
the pneumony. don't know how
long ! shall be rational, SO l want
to tell you now that my Wills in the
cedar chest"
NAeae aAS Sou eoihS ~ hdNV lOl
supper" inquired his practical daugh.
ter.
Il hain't got any Appetite he re-
turned, gloomily Just some cruel
an tea. l guess. But before you get
1t, l wish you'd go over an see if
Cephas Blakell come over an watch
with me tonight"
HyVhv yo,1 fhipJy ,,ou paod IN
have watcher, I'll sit up with YOU"
mo. amt goin' to have you broke
of your rest" he objected. You'll
have enough to do waitin' on me day
times. You go and get Cephas.
ought to have some one here, for like
enough I'll be worse IN the night, and
besides, I've got to have powders
every two hours"
Mary Catherine rose reluctantly.
'PprhaDS Won won't pnad u,o+ohor