Norwich bulletin., 1912-05-04
How Nat Was Overcome By the Grip


 I've kall1ulated quite a spell twas my duty to write the Corner and let Me linda and some of the others that think Nat is sot as the hills, know that I'd had okcasion to change my mind Ya-as, and change it geed and plenty tewi
 Some time, a spel ago, the editor axed if Nat had the grip. Now, course I was middling glad he hadn't forgot cid Nat but I sort of stuck up my nose at the grip. Fact was. I'd alters agreed there want no such thing. Course, if folks felt better to call a cold, grip. why let um, 1 says; and l told Jane Ann she and the kids could call a cold grip fur as I was con sarned, maybe twas easier having that ere and more fashionable, most likely. But that was afore--
 Twas like this: One day a spell ago, seems like everything was agin me. Hogs wouldn't eat their feed. and I Teckoned ther blamed things would all kick the bucket; and when I tackled the woodpile I thought twas hardest blamed wood I ever tackled; axe was all fired dull, tew.
 When the bell rung for grub, seems though 1 never could drag them felts to the house; and I stopped couple times to see what ailed the pesky things, they was that hefty.
 Jane Ann didn't seem to have no fire nuther, and I lowed to her. she and me want brought up in no saw mill, and she might keep ther doors shet and house warm, seeing she had wood a-plenty. Dinner want up to scratch, and l said a few things about that. ere.
 After a spell I meandered into ther setting room and threw myself on to ther lounge. While arter (spose fell asIeep), I looked up-say now and say now 1 lowed somebody broke in the house and stole the silver and my pocketbOok, pounded me nigh to a jelly drugged me and played some other odd tricks on to me.
 We-el, there set Jane by the windeT mending stockings, cool as a CowcUm- Der. When I axed her where'd she ben gadding to, she lowed she'd been to the henhouse.
 and I've been sandbagged, or suthin 2
 Why says Jane, you don't sayi Why, Nat, ain't no one ben here Whats the natter
 Natter" says !. T tell you we've ben robbed and I've ben most kilt
 Just then who should open the set ting room door but Si Slocum. Hello, Nat says he, jest run over 1 to see if I can take a crowbar Didn't know you was sick. Got tetch o1 grip ain't you?'
 "No!" I shouted, "T ain't sick, but Is ben robbed and put upon. pounded black and blue and drugged." i 'Shoo!" says Si, You don't sayl' and he looked dreadful tickled | There's your pocketbook sticking ou' | your pocket" says Jane. silver is al right"
 Let's see your bruises" says he. l Say, now! When l began to thinl it out my yarn somehow didn't hang | together.
 Now, Nat" says Si. ~You feel Hk, some feler's running a hot poker dow1 your back, and then agin you're sur, 1 it's a chunk of ice. Eh2 That il? | How did you know?" says l. 1 And, says he: You're sorer than an, old spawned horse you ever seen?'
 Yes, sir-ee!" says l.
 And you's got a swelled head fo. sure?7
 We-oii." 5@@ii chuoblod sl that's tn grip!"
 No! I ain't got no grip," I roared "aint no such thing! If this ere i sickness I've got it's one O them 1tis things
 Don't you git no doctor" says ] shaking my fist at um, I'll die nat ural when l do. I ain't goin to b sawed up by no doctorI"
 "FiddlesucksI" says Si, T tell vol you've got the grip! Amt 1 jes pulled Sarah through a spell? You Jes