Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1920-07-23

The rain had stopped, and although
the woods We're dripping, there was a
glorious, radiant sunlight. The effect
was exhilarati1g. 1t worked a spiritual
change. Man, said the morning, was
made to be happy.
Exulting in pleasant emotions, I let
myself out of the main door and re-
joiced in the beauty of the place and
the moment. l took a short walk
across the lawn toward the woods.
A gardener asked me if l were the new
doctor and said if had leisure during
the day he wished 1 would come to
the cottage beyond the gardens. His
infant had a cough.
The house was astir when l re-
entered. Jed was the first person I
saw, and to my astonishment he was
not only civil but pleasant and candid.
did you have fair night, doctor?"
he asked. Sometimes first night in
new place is disturbed, and l owe
you apologies. We have had here oc-
casion at times for locking doors on
and last night I forgot myself and
threw the bolt of your door. I am oc-
casionally in liquor, and last night I
had touch too much"
/ smiled at his candor and said
something iokingly in comment.
"a servant can't be blamed, doctor,
for that" he said, "if his master leads
him into it. We have coffee before
breakfast. I'll serve you anywhere.
The morning papers are in the library.
There's q porch off it with a good
view. It's my favorite spot of a morn
ing. recommend that you have your
coffee there"
His friendliness was amusing, but
found his suggestion good, and being
fond of coffee. enjoyed it with half
hour of magnificent view and a cigar
cite. The morning was odorous after
the rain.
The house was a charming struc-
tural disorder of LIS and wings,
porches and balconies. 1t was very
old, and one could see where different
generations had contributed to its
growth. The walls were backgrounds
for hollyhocks or support for climbing
roses or ivy. 1t had plenty of sun
light, but dense white oak woods came
close up.
held myself in readiness to attend
my patient at his convenience, but 1t
was ten o'clock before 1 was sum-
moned. Mr.. Sidney was pleasant and
animated.
"We must arrive at schedule"
suggested. "This is little too late in
the day to satisfy DR.. Brownelrs ideas
of what my duties are"
"But, my dear DOCTOR" he said, 81
do not wake until nine. 1 need my
sleep. I do not go to sleep until one.
81 should advise early hours" 1 said
"Of course you would, but you mus
remember that you are dealing with
man, at the end of his life, trying II
make the most of it. like to remail
awake late"
"Then you must" I said. 'T shall
consider it settled to see you at ten
"And, I hope, sometimes to sit III
with me until one. Do you like chess?
81 never played"
Z Luckily, Jed does, just well enougl
to interest me and have me beat him
Do you like wine?"
"a young doctor does not drink"
Luckily, Jed does. 1t is a grea
satisfaction to have some one whor
you can beat at chess and whom yo
can see enjoying wine. Doctor, hav
yielded to my friend Brownell's de
mand for constant attention, but a
you can see, there will not be a grea
!" deal for physician to do. I eat wei
e 1 sleep well, and so long as my senss
tions are pleasant, want to live. The
are not always pleasant. but mostl
&c they are so. I'd like to have you q
q new friend in the house. / like I
be talked to. 1 like. to be read t.
&c VIII you relax and be just a friend
"With pleasure" said, $50 long 6
nothing interferes with the physician
:" "That's a bargain" he said. "a
, three O'Clock this afternoon you sha
read to me-"
:, During my spare time Wake
- about the grounds. A part of the e
:. tate, about thirty acres, which SCENE
= to be architecturally intimate and r
lated to the house, was completely i
- closed by q twelve-foot brick wall su
~ mounted by sharp spikes. 1t was bui
beyond the rivers edge, and was co
-, tinued out into the water in a heavi
-o buttressed fashion. Only good swiI
- mer could have rounded it and con
- into the place. 1t looked like a car
ou fully but strangely designed protectio
OF In the dog kennels were mastii
ON and q number of Airedales. l said
os Jed that it seemed as if precautio
7 had been taken against a peEceiv
danger. He had been affab1e durfl
u the day, but his face clouded Instant
- "The wall was here when Mr.. 81
| ney bought the place, but we are in
- way isolated" he said shortly. SIT
. reasonable to take precautions. 1t W
"a be precaution for you not to go roa
nv ing the grounds at night. The do
~ are not friendly then"
IN His surliless was easily passed ov
Nv was good humored and wished
slr prove 1t.
I'd ST have heard of the haunted ba,
on said. "What is its story"
no "Every fool in and about the pla
NOT talks of that" he said. you'll get I
ON much of the story only too soon. f
de- that isn't why we have the dogs. Y
ro- don't take any stock in ghosts in t
1se house."
+ He was offended and went away.
aen three o'clock saw my patient aga
ned and he wanted me to read to him.
ear read to him for an hour. Then
lin. took nap.
md I had been told that any time
I wanted to go to town might tell {
1olt of the chauffeurs to take me. l neet
so thin file for the bolt on nay door.