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as tender and gentle as that of a woman. In the morning Ashbel's symptoms were more favorable, insomuch that he returned his father's caresses with a smile of recognition.

When Ashbel's mother entered the room late in the morning, she seemed not a little surprised to find her husband present.

"You must have drove all night, Mr. Willard, to have got home so soon."

He answered," After I heard Ashbel was sick I drove very fast."

"How did you hear ?" inquired Mrs. Willard, somewhat surprised.

"The Rev. Mr. Bradley informed me of his sickness."

"I was not aware that they had been here."

A shade of indignation passed over the face of the husband, who said,

"Our child is very sick, and needs the best of care."

"Dr. Spencer was here yesterday."

Mr. Willard asked his wife if she did not think best to send for Dr. Livingston.

"Why my husband, Dr. Spencer has always attended Ashbel, and I think he understands his constitution better than a stranger would.”

66 That may be so, to be sure, but I tell you, Laura, I am distressed, I think our boy will die-if he does, I hope I shall go too."

"You always talk and think just so if anything ails Ashbel; I should think he was the very life-spring of your existence."

"You may well think so, for you know that he is the only one in God's universe that loves me."

"Why, my dear, I love you."
"Well if you do, go and fix your-

self up before the Doctor gets here."

Mrs. Willard had lost much of her self-respect, and to the annoyance of her husband, paid very little attention to her personal appearance.

Dr. Spencer entered the sick room, at this time. "Ha ha, you have got home again, neighbor! I should think that you had been out on a spree, and drawn through an auger-hole; you had better go out into the bar-room, and take a glass of brandy, and you will look twenty-five per cent. better," bowing as gracefully as his awkwardness would admit of, to Mrs. Willard.

"Curse the brandy, I wish I had never heard of it. It will prove the ruin of us all; but for heaven's sake don't fire another artillery before you look at your patient," said Mr. Willard.

The Dr., seating himself beside the child, took into one of his hands the

dear little wrist, while with the other he picked his eyelashes.

"Ashbel is easier than he was yesterday;" turning to the table where he had deposited his valise, he proceeded to deal out medicine.

Mr. Willard, observing the large portions that he was dealing out, said, "I should think those were large enough for an adult; he is a weak little fellow, and cannot bear much."

The Doctor half angrily replied, "I think, neighbor, you had better produce your diploma before you dictate to me in my profession."

"Pardon me, Doctor, I had no malice at heart."

“Malice or not malice, you owe me a treat, for not boxing your ears for your sauce."

"Well, well, walk into the bar-room, I'll pay that debt."

As the Doctor was about to take

leave of the sick room, he turned to Mrs. Willard, "I think I had better prescribe for you before I go; I think that a sling well nutmegged will do you good," casting a meaning glance at the hired girl, as he spoke.

Mrs. Willard affected a severe cough, and said with some hesitation, “I took cold yesterday, and I think some black strap would remove this tickling in my throat, and perhaps this

soreness across me.'

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As they left the room, the Doctor growled to himself, "Black strap; I'd give you black strap, but it should be made of cowhide, if you was my wife."

Mr. Willard, not understanding this remark, said, "Come along, old growler, and get your treat," handing him a bottle of brandy. As he was filling his glass almost to running over, Mr. Willard exclaimed, "Hold on, don't

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