Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-03-22

AnastaSia sighed as she thought OF
the fuss and bother that must attend
Henry's adoption Of u new sleeping
place. lie had slept all over the house
in the past. From attic TO cellar ev-
cry room had known his restless Stun.
bers. aud last summer he had slept on
the front piazza until he was startled
one night 10y awakening TO discover
tall. gaunt framed woman standing
over him with small lantern held
close To his face
ITS only you. Is IT." she had said
contemptuously and passed into the
house The next morning Mr.. Highly
discharged Bridget for Impertinence
and the following day found II new do
nestle Installed In the kitchen. one
who was not given TO nocturnal wan
behring's
Yhe next few days witnessed busy
period in Mr.. Higby's existence. As.
sisted by carpenter he constructed a
square platform between the four
chestnuts In the large back yard.
When II was all completed and com
Portable cot bed within the wire IN.
closure. Mr.. Highly invited his neigh
bors to inspect the innovation
or course Il wasn't right Captain
Fletcher said that the platform should
have been dashed to the trees. not nail
ed First strong breeze we have will
wrench your timbcrs apart" he
warned
Nonsense. said Mir Highly jovially.
else. and "Pifiie." he remarked TO a
third critic Then he went into the
house and made preparations for his
ascent TO his nest.
Mrs. Highly tearfully prepared n bas.
ket OF extra bedclothing You will
catch your denth of cold. Henry" she
murmured. And suppose you should
fall out. why. you'd be killed. AT any
rate. you'd break every bone in your
body"
'Fiddlesticks was Mr.. Higbys
hackneyed response.
you're tempting Providence" fash
ed Anastasia ut last There isn't a
thing the matter with you. Henry. but
there will he before you get through
with this business wish you
wouldn't go"
Never mind. my dear" assured MIR
Highly with the gentle patience of one
who knows he is right You will un-
derstand some day how 1t is with me. "
Behind closed blinds many curious
eyes watched Mr.. Higby's lantern ms
II slowly assembled the long ladder that
led up to his lofty perch The lantern
swung In his hand as he steadied him
self on the ladder A strong wind WAS
rising and the trees were swaying with
low musical creak of boughs. Up on
the dizzy height of the platform he
pulled manfully on the rope TO which
the basket Of extra bedding was fast
ened and presently the basket doomed
over the railing and was deposited OF
the floor
Before long Henry Highly had taken
the second step In his projected cure
for rheumatism. He had slipped out
Of his bathrobe and slippers and jump
ed down TO the platform. For long
time he lay awake looking up nj the
stars. which shone down through the
young foliage OF the trees. for II was
early spring. He saw the white clouds
go drifting across the face OF the
moon lie felt the rhythmical swing
OF the trees as they bent TO the fresh
ening wind. and finally he fell asleep.
lie sumbered. only TO awaken TO a
moment Of supreme terror when II
seemed that the bottom had dropped
out OF the universe and he was being
propelled through nothingness to OBJ
| livion. He was conscious that he
struck the soft branches of trees In his
downward passage. and then some
thing hard arose to meet him and blot
out his sense Of pain.
When he awoke from this second
sleep he was not swinging In his nest
among the trectops with the stars
rooted over his head He was In his
own stationary bed on the second floor
of his home Two physicians regard
ed him speculatlvely. while Anastasia
hung. pale and anxious eyed. close to
his pillow.
what happened?" he asked feebly.
THE wind was SO strong that the
trees pulled the platform apart. and
you fell to the ground" said DR. Brown
cheerlly. "we'll have you up and
around In few months"
"a few months" gasped Highly.
"Why. what's the matter with mef |
can't move"
"Of course you can't" said DR..
Jones bluiily. you've only broken
three ribs. fractured your left leg,
broken your right wrist and wrenched
your hack What In thunderation
were you doing up there. eh;"
ut was cure for rheumatism" said
Mr.. Highly. with diiildence.
"Wcll. you cured the rheumatism. all
right" assured the DOCTOR but. man
alive. you've got enough now TO take
care of for awhile. No need TO warn
you TO keep quiet"