Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1913-01-21


That 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 1t to see if the time had
come for giving medicine, suddenly
noticed how loud its ticking sounded.
wondering at this, he was aware there
was no other sound in the house. He
rose and looked N at the door Of the
adjoining room The patient had
ceased to rave ard was lying quiet on
the bed.
The minister tiptoed over to look at
him. And, as he did so, the man
opened his eyes.
Halloo!" 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"
Trumet. Trumet."
He was struggling to raise himself
on his elbow Eillery was Obliged 10
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 Ellery 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 mad 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. must talk with you
You used to be a whaler, l know
We're you acquainted in New Bed
ford?"
Sartin. Was time when / could
have located every stick IN it, pretty
nigh, by the smell. if you set me
down side of enl blindfoldedo
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 l knew him. He mar
ried--"
Il 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 possiblel The feller's dead as
Methusalem's grandmarm. remem-
Der how it happened and"
1t wasn't true. That much know.
know, tell YOU"
He went on to explain why he Enew
Capen's establishment grew
Judas priest!" he exclaimed again.
That would explain why thought I'd
seen THERE heave ahea6. 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 stupor His breath
ing was rapid, but faint Capen bent
over him and gently moved the band
age on his race. For full minute he
gazed steadily. Then he stood erect.
drew big red hand across his fore
living room.
''Yup," he said, tits him Mr.. FL
lery. what are you goln' TO do about
it,"
Il don't know. | don't know. I
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.
"A[r. Ellery, where be YOU"
'Here!" replied the minister.
The old man came scrambling over
the sand. He was painting and much
excited
Mr., ElIery!" he cried, "Mr. Ellery!
it's settled for us-one part of 1t. 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 | thought he looked kind of
queer then. Ard 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 tell Dr. Parker"
Ellery considered for a moment.
NO" he said slowly no, Capen,
don't tell anyone. can't see why
they need ever know that he hasn't
been dead for years. as they supposed.
Promise me 10 keep IL secret. j ii
her-myself. later on. Now prom
Use me; trust you"
Land sakes, yes! I'll promise. if
you want me TO-.
The next day the body of Murphy"
foremost hand on the San Jose, was
buried in the corner of the Regular
graveyard, near those who were
drowned in the wreck of that winter.
Capen remained at the shanty another
week. Then, as, the Minister showed
no symptoms Of having contracted the
disease and insisted tnat he needed no
companion. Ebeneker departed to take
up his fishing Cnce more.
EIlery himself was most urgent IN
the decision that he should not go
back to the patronage and his church
mat vet. Better. to wait until he was