The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1920-09-02

Inc rain had stopped, ana although
the woods were dripping, there was
glorious, radiant sunlight. The effect
was exhilarati1g. 1t worked spiritual
change. Man, said the morning, was
made to be happy.
Exulting in pleasant emotions, 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 l 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 l
saw, and to my establishment he was
not only civil but pleasant and candid
ibid you have a fair night. doctor?"
he asked. Sometimes first night in
new place is disturbed, and | owe
you apologies. We have had here oc-
casion at times for locking doors on
the outside as we'll as on the inside,
and last night / forgot myself and
threw the bolt of your door. l am oc-
casionally in liquor, and last night l
had touch too much
/ smiled at his candor and said
something jokingly in comment.
"a servant can't be blamed, doctor,
for that" he said, eff his master leads
him into it. We have coffee before
breakfast. I'll serve yof anywhere.
The morning papers are in the library.
There's porch off it with a good
view. It's my favorite spot of morn
ing. l recommend that you have your
coffee there"
His friendliness was amusing, but
found his suggestion good. and being
| fond of coffee. enjoyed 1T with half
hour of magnificent view and cigar
cite. The morning was odorous after
the rain.
The house was 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.
1 held myself in readiness to attend
my patient at his convenience, but it
was ten o'clock before / was sum-
moned. Mr. Sidney was pleasant and
animated.
re@ ,rsxsx-< of n dnh II
suggested. "This is little too late In
the day to satisfy DR.. Brownell's ideas
of what my duties are"
"But, my dear DOCTOR" he said, 81
do not wake until nine. l need my
sleep. / do not go to sleep until one."
81 should advise early hours" said.
"Cf course you would, but you must
remember that you are dealing with
maa, at the end of his life, trying to
make the most of it. I like to remain
awake late"
'sThen you must" / said. IT shall
consider it settled to see you at ten."
"And, hope, sometimes to sit up
with me until one. Do you like chess?"
II never played"
Luckily, Jed does, just well enough
4 to interest me and have me beat him.
Do you like wine?"
"a young doctor does not drink
Luckily, Jed does. 1t is a great
satisfaction to have some enc whom
you can beat at chess and whom you
can see enjoying wine. Doctor, have
yielded to my friend Brownell's de-
mand for constant attention, but as
you can see, there will not be a great
deal for physician to do. / eat well,
/ sleep well, and so long as my sensa-
tons are pleasant, want to live. They
are not always pleasant, but mostly
they are so. I'd like to have you as
new friend in the house. like to
be talked to- / like to be read to.
Will you relax and be just friend 2"
with pleasure" / said, $50 long as
nothing interferes with the physician"
That's bargain" he said. Eat
three O'clock this afternoon you shall
read to me-"
During my spare time walked
about the grounds. A part of the es-
tate, about thirty acres, which seemed
to be intellectually intimate and re-
lated to the house, was completely in
closed by twelve-foot brick wall sur
mounted by sharp spikes. 1t was built
beyond the rivers edge, AID was con-
tinued out into the water in heavily
buttressed fashion. Only good swim
mer could have rounded it and come
into the place. 1t looked like care
fully but strangely designed protection.
In the dog kennels were mastiffs
and a number of Airedales. / said to
Jed that it seemed as if precautions
had been taken against perceived
danger He had been affable during
/ the day, but his face clouded instantly.
9'The wall was here when Mr.. Sid
ney bought the place, but we are in
way isolated" he said shortly. 1T is
reasonable to take precautions. 1t will
be precaution for you not to go roam
ing the grounds at night. The dogs
are not friendly then"
His surli1ess was easily passed over.
/ was good humored and wished to
prove it.
II have heard of the haunted bay,''
/ said. 'What is it's story%
EVERY fool in and about the place
talks of that" he said. You'll get too
much of the story only too soon. But
that isn't why we have the dogs. We
don't take any stock in ghosts in this