The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1913-01-10
moaned or lay in a stupor. Ebenezer


came frequently, but said there was
no hope. A question of time only, and
short time, he said.
Capen occupied his mind with specu-
lations concerning the patient.
do you know, parson," he said,
seems if I'd seen the Teller some
where's afore. Course l never have,
but when I used to go whalin' wages
/ cruised from one end OF creation to
t'other, pretty nigh, and I might have
met him"
mat night the sick man was much
worse. His rawlings were incessant.
The wooden clock, loaned by Mrs. Par
ker, the doctors wife, licked steadily,
although a half hour slow Ellery,
glancing at it TO see if the time had
come for giving medicine, suddenly
noticed how loud it's ticking sounded.
wondering al this, he was aware there
was no other sound in the house. He
rose and looked in at the door Of the
adjoining room. The patient had
ceased to rave and was lying quiet on
the bed
The minister tiptoed over to look at
him. And, as he did go, the man
opened his eyes.
"Haiioo:" he said family. Who are
your"
Ellery, startled, made no answer
Who are you?" demanded the man
again. Then, with an oath, he re-
peated the question, adding: What
| place is this? This amt the fo'castle
Where am II"
You're ashore On Cape Cod. At
Trumet"
'Trumeti Trumet,"
he was struggling to raise himself
On his elbow. Ellery was obliged to
use force to hold him down. He strug-
gled again. Then his strength and his
reason left him simultaneously and the
delirium returned He began to shout
| name, name that caused ElIery to
stand upright and step back from the
| bed, scarcely believing his ears.
All the rest Of that night the man
on the bed raved and muttered, but Of
people and places and happenings
which he had not mentioned before.
And the minister, listening intently to
every word caught himself wondering
if he also was not losing his mind.
When the morning came, Ebenezer
Capen was awakened by a shake to
find John Ellery standing over him.
"Capen," whispered the minister,
"Capen, get up. l must talk with you.
You used to be whaler, I know
Were you acquainted in New Bed
ford?"
"Sartin. Was time when 1 could
have located every stick in it, pretty
nigh, by the smell, if you'd set me
down side of em blindfolded."
Did you ever know anyone
named" He finished the sentence.
Wells | wanted to- Pretty decent
Teller one time, but a fast goer and
went downhill like young ones sled,
when he got started. His folks had
money, that was the trouble with him.
Why, course | knew him. He mar
RED"
L know. Now listen"
Ellery went on talking rapidly and
with great earnestness. Ebenezer lis
tened at first silently, then breaking
in with calculations and grunts of as
constituent. He sat up on the edge of
the bed.
Rubbish" he cried at last why,
faint possible! The feller's dead as
Methusalems grandmarm. l remem-
Der how it happened and"
hot +
l know, tell you"
He went on to explain why he knew.
Capens establishment grew
Judas priest!" he exclaimed again.
THAT would explain why l thought I'd
seen There! heave ahead I've
got to see. But it's a mistake l don't
believe it."
The pair entered the sick room
The sailor lay in a stupor His breath
ing was rapid, but faint. Capen bent
over him and gently moved the band
age on his face. For full minute he
gazed steadily. Then he stood erect,
drew big red hand across his fore
head, and moved slowly back to the
living room.
tYup," he said, its him Mr. Ell
lery, what are you goin' to do about
it,"
Il don't know. | don't know
must go somewhere by myself and
think. | don't know what to do"
The minister declined to wait for
breakfast. He said he was not hungry.
Leaving Ebenezer to put~on the coffee
pot and take up his duties as day
nurse, Ellery walked off along the
beach. By and by he heard Capen call
ing his name.
Mr.. Ellery;" shouted Ebenezer.
Mr. Ellery, where be you?"
"Here!" replied the minister
The old man came scrambling over
the sand. He was painting and much
excited.
Mr. Ellery!" he cried, Mr. Ellery,
it's settled for us-one part of It. any
how He's slipped his cable. Yup. He
must have died just a little while after
you left and after l gave him his
medicine. l thought he looked kind of
queer then And when the doctor
came we went in together and he was
dead. Yes, sir, dead"
Dead"
"Um-hm No doubt of it; it's for
good this time. Mr.. Ellery, what shall
we do? Shall I tell Dr. Parker?"
Ellery considered for moment.
s.Ny II