The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-03-27
HIS BEST
CFiUM
BY EUNIcE BLAKE

Johnny Hoxey, aged fourteen, went
to bed one night with splitting head.
ache. The next morning he remained
In sumber, and no effort 10 awaken
him awaited He did not seem TO he
in pain. sleeping TRANQUILITY. He re.
NAMED asleep week after week, month
after month and year after year lie
needed very little food. and that WIS
| given him by various methods devised
by the doctors. He slept seven years
In the same room, in which no change
was made during that time.
When Johnny went TO sleep little
girl thirteen years old was his best
chum." as he called her. They were
In the same class In the same school
and used to study their lessons togeth-
er. for Lucy TreadweH lived directly
across the street from Johnny, and
they had not far TO go to reach each
other Lucy grew from childhood to
womanhood, seeing almost daily per-
son OF the opposite sex who was in a
perpetual sumber.
One day Johnny showed signs of
waking. For a week there was hope
that he would do SO, but those about
him had been so often disappointed
that they had lost confidence In his
recovery. But he did awaken, and
when he came to himself he was
alone
He lay for some time. after becoming
conscious. with closed eyes, thinking
Of his sufferings "the night before.
as he supposed 1t was, and feeling
much relieved TO be out of pain Then
he attempted to turn on his other side.
He was surprised to find himself very
weak. Lying IN bed without using
his muscles had taken his strength.
While on his back he opened his eyes,
still seeing nothing but the ceiling.
Hearing a step in the room. he turned
so that he could see young woman
sitting beside a window reading. she
was unknown to him. When Johnny
as boy had awakened in the morning
and did not have to 80 to school he
usually lay in bed reading.
lis this Saturday, he asked.
The girl started, and Johnny was as
tonished at the sound of his voice. The
girl rose excitedly, came to his bed
side, then ran Immediately out of the
room. Johnny In his amazement
thrashed about and while doing so put
his hand to his face. 1t was covered
with hair.
"What In the world be began.
And, sitting up in bed he saw In a mir
ror the reflection OF man. He was
dumfounded. He moved, and the re
Election moved. After It had followed
several of his movements he covered
his face with the bedclothes aud gave
way to a nervous chill.
Hearing persons hurrying into the
room, be threw of the clothes. His
mother. looking much older than 1.-THE
night before" ran into the room, fol
lowed by the young woman, who had
gone out Of II, and. taking him In her
arms, sobbed:
"My dear boyl Heaven be thankedP
''what is II, motherf' cried the af-
trighted John Something strange has
happened! How big am. How rough
my voicel seem 20 have grown TO be
man overnightF'
"You have grown to be a man, dear.
but not overnight You went 10 bed
one night when you were boy and
have slept continuously ever since.
There WAS silence for some time
while a realization OF this singular nm.
nouncement was working its way into
Johns brain. Then be asked dozen
questions so rapidly that bis mother
found difficulty In answering one be
fore another came forth Finally he
pointed to the girl. who seemed as
much affected by his recovery as bis
mother, and asked who she was.
-She is-was-your best ehum. Lucy
Treadwell.
Good gracious" exclaimed John
wonderingly. lis that Lucyf"
Yes. I'm Lucy. I've prayed for your
waking ever since your long sleep be
gan"
~she has been here nearly every day
since your slumber began" said Johns
mother.
And happened 20 be here when !
WOKE said John. and be put out both
hands 10 her. What a woman you've |
grown 10 be! How old are you'll /
mean how old am z"
you're tweBty-one. and you know |
that I'm q year younger than you 1
That makes me twenty Can you see
any trace % your best chum' IN meF
"A trace only" replied John You
were = pretty little Girl then. you are
! beautiful woman now"
Mrs. Horey said she must 20 and /
call the doctor az once John must not
get excited and take no action what
ever tIn the doctor had seen him and
given directions concerning him
John obeyed the frst injunction. but 1
soon forgot all about the last His
mother had no sooner left THE room
than be reached Tor Lucys hand and
drew her b a seat beside him
80 you have been here constantly
since / have been b Sunderland.
Why did you come 80 reEulariyF
Iucy turned away her heed
You pere my -test chum. and you
have proved yourself worthy - The
hama Z H-nH rarrr IS know whether