Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1913-12-26


ly. "If you don't know that this spring
has its origin in"
"In Schmidts drug store down in
Finleyville!" he finished for me. "Oh,
know all about that spring, Minnie!
Don't forget that my fathers cows
used to drink that water and liked 1t.
leave it to you," no said, smiling, "if
a self-respecting cow wouldn't die of
thirst before she drank that stuff as
1t Ia now"
I'd been filling him glass-it being
took 1t to the window and held 1t to
the light.
You're getting careless, Minnie," he
said, squirting at 1t. "Some of those
drugs ought to be dissolved fret in
hot water. There's lump of hthia
there that has Schmidt's pharmacy Ia
bel on it,"
"Where?" I demanded, and started
for 1t. He laughed at that, and put
ting the glass down, he came over and
stood smiling at me.
"As ingenious as q child" he said
in his mocking way. - nice, little red
haired child! Minnie, how old is this
young Carter7"
"Twenty-three."
"An-er-earnest youth! Willing to
buckle down to work and make the
old place go! Ready to pat the old
ladies' on the shoulder and squeeze the
young ones hands?"
He's young" said, but IL you're
hal
mot at ALL" he broke in hastily.
'If he hasn't too much character he'll
probably succeed. l hope he isn't a
fool. Where is he now?"
He's been SICK" 1 said. "Mumps!"
"Mumps! Oh, my aunt!" he ex-
claimed, and fell to laughing. He was
still laughing when he got to the door.
"Mumps!" he repeated, with his
hand on the knob. Minnie. the old
place will be under the hammer in
three weeks, and If you know what's
good for you, you'll sign in under the
new management while there's q va
cancy."
''If were you," 1 said, looking him
straight in the eye, II wouldn't pick
out any new carpets yet, Mr.. Thoburn.
promised the old doctor I'd help Mr..
Dick, and will"
$50 you're actually going to fight
1t out" he said, grinning. well, the
odds are in your favor. You are two
to my one."
II think it's pretty even," retorted.
1--WE will be hindered, so to speak, by
having certain principles of honor and
honesty. You have no handicap"
He tried to think of a retort, and
not finding one he slammed out OF
the spring-house in a rage.
Mr.. Van Alstyne and his wife came
in that same day, just before dinner,
and we played three-handed bridge for
half an hour AS I've said, they'd been
on their honeymoon, and they were
both sulky at having to stay at the
Springs.
After the first rubber Mrs. Van AL
styne threw her cards on the floor and
said another day like this would finish
her.
She turned her back to her hus
band, but he pretended to tuck the
hair at the back of her neck up under
her comb, and che let him do it. Az
stopped to gather up the cards he
kissed the tip of her ear.
Listen" he said, there's a scream
Of play down at Finleyville to-nigh
called Sweet Peas" Senator Biggi
and the bishop went down last night
and they say it's the worst in twent,
years. Put on black veil and lett
slip away and see It,"
think she agreed to do 1t, but tina
night after dinner, Amanda King, wht
has charge of the news stand. told m,
the sheriff had closed the opera-hous,
and that the leading woman was sicl
at the hotel.
They say she looked funny las
night" Amanda finished. "and gues
she's got tho mumps."
Mumps!
Ny joint gave q throb at that min
ute.
Mr.. Sam wasn't taking any chances
, for the next day he went to the cit.
, himself to bring Mr.. Dick up.
He hadn't come back by the morn
ing OF the sixth day, but he wired hi
wife the day before that Mr.. Dick wa
ON tho way. But we met every trail
with sleigh, and he didn't come.
was uneasy. knowing Mr.. Dick, an
: Mrs. Sam was worried, too.
It had been showing hard for a da
or 10, and at eleven O'Clock that da
, saw Miss Cobb and Mrs. Biggs CON
: ing down the path to the spring-house
''Mr. Van Alstyne is back" said Mis-
Cobb, but he came alone"
"Alone!" repeated. staring at he
r in sort of daze.
! Alone" she said solemnly. "and
, heard him ask for Mr.. Carter.
1 seems no started for here yesterday.
, But I'd had time to get myself Il
hand. and II had a chill up my spin
she never knew 1t. As she starte
} away saw Mr.. Sam hurrying dow
4 the path toward the spring-house. an
. I knew nv 1oint hadn't throbbed fo