AT THE TOP OF THE HILL.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2233, 30 October 1886, Page 1 (Supplement)

AT THE TOP OF THE HILL.

Skveral years ago there reside-! in a town, not a eoore of miles distant from Boston, an old settler, who had accumulated a very hamUome fortune by driving sharp bargains, and wliO3e leputatioii abroad was none of the most flattering. He vra< called "tho doctor," for reasons best known to those who attached to his name this "honorary cognomen." He resided in a large and splendid house, located at the top of a hill near the main road from Boston to Worcester, and if there was any one thing the doctor prided himseh more than another, it was cleanliness about his mansion. The white colonade and steps leading to his house were constantly kept as pure from soiling as were the rich carpets which covered his parlor floors ; his servants were continually busy in polishing the platform in fror.t of his mansion, and the doctor could see his face reflected in the biignt surface which had been brought out upon the carefullyrubbed stiirs. And some of his vicious neighbors — one, especially, who had been over-reached by the sharp doctor — became acquainted with the old fellow's hobby ; and he determined to embrance the first opportunity for revenge. One terribly dark and stormy night in early Spring, there came along a strange traveller, who halted at the door of the man who had sw^rn to be "even" with the doctor. The stranger was looking for lodging 3, for his hoi sj had fallen lame ; the path was knee-deep with mud, the roads had been in a dteidful condition for a week, and ho was yet some miles fiom town. He told his pitiful story, md the farmer instantly bethought him of a plan for satisfaction. "Been to the tavern yonder ?'' " What tavern?'' aske'l the traveler. " Why np there. Don't you see ?" "On the hill?" " Vis. The big house where the lights are. Fust-rate tavern there — only the landlord's a crusty old fellor,eccentric-like, and he mayn't want no company." "Never mind that. It's a tavern, you say, and that's enough. I shan't go no furder to-night.'' 11 You see," continued the informant, " the ole cuss h.is got rich a keepin' a tavern, an' he's got to be mighty nice about his customers But you needn't be afeard. It's a public house, and he can't shut his door agin a benighted traveller, though he'll blutFyou off if he can." " Wai, I'd like to see the tivern-keeper that can bluff me such a night as tins 'ere is," said the strangpr, and away he went toward the elegant mansion of the doctor. "Go right into the front door," said the farmer to his visitor; "do:i't mind anything he says— for between ourselves we think the old scamp's a little crazy sometimes — but tell him it's a public house, aud you'ie bound to stay over night." "Well, I am,'' continued the olh' r, aud he v\ as Y«3ry !>oon at the front door of the doctor's. " Hello, here !" he bawled, and seizing upon the bell-pull, ho well niirh tore if off "Hello, I say — house! Wot in thunder — are ye all dead: ' aud the Minnnoih was instantly au-wered by a braoe of hervanN, accompanied by the do"tor himself. The door was quickly opened, and in tn irehei the traveler, covered with mud, dremhed to the skin, whip in hand, .md evidently delighted to find su< h capital qu uteis-. "Ah, this is very well. Hos- -it the door; look after him, you fellow there — ruf> his off hind le<! woll, and u ive him four qu.v tof chopped feed when he.i dory wheezin', for he's got the heaves dre'ful to-i.iirht,' and as he got off Irs older he bilked' .straight into the doctor's parlor without further ceremony. Fur full five minute* the doctor had no words for utterance — but at list his fuvv burst forth: "Who are you ? Wh< j re d:d you come fiom? Wh it does this nrvin ': It's my hou-e, this is— mine ! You've spoiled my carpet*; you're a s^ >nndrol, that I don't " '« V.i, Ini^h, o'e feller." '"What!"' exclaimed th'^ doctor. "Hush — keep quite; I'm a goiu' to -t.iy here all night, I am !'' and the unbidden guej.t at once proceeded to divest himself of his muddy cumbrous boots. "All night?'' screamed the doctor, astounded. "Nothiu' else. Capital ho^se you've got." "Home?" "Yes— "xcell- nt tavern. I did't know " "T-tvern? Thi* isn't a tivern !" "Can't come it old ho-*. Won't do. They told me all about y> i. I'm here and here I st.iy tonight, -'ire!" And he very lci^unlv stood h:s wet cow-bide boots ayin^t the side of tho elegant chimney piece. The victimized doctor raved and vented all manner of curses on the strinsrer, re peatedly ordering him t>> quit bis hou-e, in reply to which he heard only the \\<>rds "Be still, old feller— be still, sfill— qui. r — 'ts no u-<e," which ej irulatiorn grew fainter and fainter, until at last the doctor ga/ed at the face of the traveller. and found he bad frilloir asleep before the fire. After exh m4ing the entire^voeabularv of bis wrath, bo left t he intruder in peaceful pos-e^Sion of the i remise-*, findin er it impossible to move him At <«ayliyht the voluntarily concluded to bud iff, and the doctor actually lvfused any p»y from his sttanjre visitor; but. us he i aiteil, just intimated to him to s,iy not'iiny to any of his friends about that "Tay» r» on the Hill."

Tub family of Mr SV. Hughes, blacksmith, of Kadina, was poisoned on Saturday through eating tinned lish One child difd, and the other members of the family are seriously ill. Poui'KMAV : "Come down out o' that, young feller."' Rcpoitoi : "But I'm a ivp'ute: 1 , and I want to get a description of the lire," PoHoemin: "To the divil wid you. You can't s^ay th«rc. You kin foind out all about the foire from the papers in the morning." " Us X jour fork, Johnny. Have you forgotten so soon whpt I told \oii about unii;,' '"'ii' fi'u/ois ? ' '-Wc'l. m mnn tingerb u'ere made before i^., s " " Yt3 they were ; but uot your?, my son,' 1