Doctor Dick

Front matter

Dolly at the organ. —Page 47.

DOCTOR

DICK.

Contents

CHAP - PAGE.

1. Miss Lucinda is moved to write a Letter 7

2. Harvard Budd shows His Hand - 16

Chapter I. Miss Lucinda Is Moved To Write A Letter

Dear Miss Dolly :

Its not often I feel moved to take up a pen, but sence I came back here I have done considerable thinking, and it ain’t all on my own account neither.

“ When your pa wrote me such a kind letter and sent me a check for fifty dollars for ‘ extra wear and tear’ as he said ‘ of my cottage ’ I was as near mad as I ever was in my life, and it don’t do for fleshy folks like me to get riled up, it tends to heart trouble

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they say. Well I didn’t keep angry long, it ain’t my way; but I couldn’t help saying that I was mor’n paid for all I did. I don’t hold to old folks livin’ alone, they get crusty, and selfish, and spiteful, and I don’t want to be neither one nor tother. You young folks did me good and I shall always maintain till I die that considerin’ all things you are just about as nice a lot as ever grew. About that fifty dollars -I have fixed it all right. You see the other day I made what you call a little tower up to Cambridge. I wanted some new gloves and Josiah’s folks was all needin’ flannels and so I made a day of it and went to the stores in the mornin’ early and then took a car over to Cambridge.

“ I knowed just where to find our boys cause Mister Dick had put it down on a card for me. I didn’t ask more’n six times anyway — well, the woman who boards them she found out what I was after so she was kind of polite, though I don’t see the sense of her dressin’ up in a black silk in the

Miss Lucinda Writes a Letter .. g

mornin’ when she ought to be attendin’ to

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her cookin’. Well, I waited a considerable spell and nobody asked me to take my things off; by-and-bye I heard a whistle and land sake, I should have knowed it was Mister Dick if I had heard it in Goshen. He was going right up the stairs to his room and I stepped out into the hall. ‘ Mister Dick,’ I said, ‘ don’t be in such a hurry.’

“‘Oh Miss Lucinda,’he shouted, ‘bless your dear old heart,’ and then he come down from those stairs quick as a flash and kissed me right then and there. Mister Dick always did have a masterful sort of a way. Then we talked and talked and he wanted me to stop to lunch and I told him he would be ashamed to introduce such an oldfashioned cretur to his fine friends, and then he says just as natural as could be, the very way he used to talk in the old house.

“ ‘ Miss Lucinda, when Dick Miller is ashamed of any true good friend you may hang him like Jeff Davis to a sour apple

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tree. Clothes can be bought anywhere, friends grow; so off with the bonnet and wait for dear old Reg.’ Of course I was obliged to, so to speak, and when Reg did come I just sot there between those two handsome young fellows and looked from one to tother.

“ It was the greatest day I ever saw. The lunch was just what you might expect when the housekeeper dresses up in silk early in the mornin’. Dick said he was starvin’ for some of my good cookin’, and Reggie looked as if he only ate once a w r eek an’ then it most killed him. ‘ Boys’, says I, holdin’ out a hand to each of ’em, ‘ how would you like to have me come right up here and make a kind of little home place for you ? I hain’t no special call to stay with Miss Dolly now that the boys are all gone off to school but Bertie, and it seems to me if you could kind of tolerate my old-fashionness and so on we might be cosy ? ’ Then Mister Dick cut up I tell you, he danced and shook my hand,

Miss Lucinda Writes a Letter.

il and whirled Reggie about, and said: ‘The very thing we want. Budd’s folks are in Europe, he’ll come too, and there’s Hawley from Connecticut, and three or four of our class, we will just fill up all your rooms and you are a jewel Miss Lucinda.’ Well Reggie he seemed pleased too, and somehow I felt so sorry for him, he looked so peaked and sad ; he needs motherin', that’s what he wants, and I have considerable of it in me if I am an old maid. Well those boys just flew round and almost before we knew it the house was hired and nearly every room taken by their friends. Dick he named it ‘ The Woodbox Annex,’ and next Monday we begin housekeepin’ in Old Cambridge.

“ I have Josiah’s wife’s sister to do the roughest work an’ his oldest boy to do chores. The boys will really have a home of their own, fpr I shall only keep things sort of slicked up for ’em and let ’em do as they please, besides I hold it’s always best to set folks to work and Melissy, Josiah’s wife’s

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sister, is kind of low down sence the shoe shops turned off some of their hands and the boy is a clear Dodge and wants to be earning some money.

“So on the whole I’ll keep the fifty dollars and use it to fix up the boys’ room, and if you an’ Miss Cora feel moved to send on any pin cushions or such like to make things kind of tidy, why I shall be glad to see ’em.

“ Mrs. Miller has sent me an awful nice letter, she says she feels happy about the boys now, for she could do so little for them tied up in New York with her invalid aunt.

“ When we are all settled I want you and your pa to come on and see us. No more for the present. From yours, most true and kind, Lucinda Dodge.”

It was a blue day at the “ Woodbox ” when this letter reached it. Like all young house¬ keepers Dolly had her trials. Smith the welltrained servant sent by Col. Brentford had acquired a taste for drink, and Dolly no longer dared trust her dear father with him.

Miss Lucinda Writes a Letter . ij

Aunt Axy was getting old and was unwill¬ ing to acknowledge it, and little by little Dolly took new duties on her own young shoulders. Bertie was the same lovable, loving child, away every day at school now, because the Doctor was sure he required the companionship of other children.

Ned was with his cousins, Charlie and Walter, at a good but somewhat expensive school on the Hudson. In order to meet all these bills economy must be practised in the household, for no tidings had yet been re¬ ceived from Richmond, and the reports from Mrs. Neville were not very encouraging. Dolly found ample opportunity for outside work but little leisure for it. Her music could not be neglected; she had an idea that some day it would be a means of support, for this Dolly of ours had long since determined to devote her small inheri¬ tance from her mother to Reggie’s education. “ If I help him he can aid the rest,” she said to her father, “ and you see I could not

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leave you to attend college as Cora does.” Miss Lucinda was one of those unostenta¬ tious good souls whose chief business in life is to do something for others as if it were a matter of course. She could never enjoy her own knitting in her own quiet corner while some motherless child needed care. Her visit to Cambridge was the result of much thought, many sleepless nights, and earnest prayer; the beautiful self sacrifice which others might see in this step was all covered in her simple and generous soul by the one word duty .

Dolly’s tiresome day had nearly closed; she had listened to Bertie’s account of school affairs, heard his spelling lesson, planned the housework for the following morning, and was now too weary to practice while she waited for her father’s return from the Med¬ ical Director’s office. Aunt Axy brought in the letter and found her young mistress sitting in her father’s chair, looking sad and lonely.

Miss Lucinda Writes a Letter, i$

“ Deed Mis Dolly,” said the old servant tenderly, “ you is mopin, you is ; we mus just git de young gemmen back, it aint de same place without ’em/’

“ Yes, I do miss them ” said the girl wearily, “ we shall have some of them at Christmas, aunty, and after all it’s not very long to wait, since October is nearly half gone.”

“ Well, here’s a letter honey, and it’s big ’ nough to be chock full of news, maybe it'ill chirk you up a bit.”

Dolly seized it eagerly, letters were her chief delight now. She read it through rapidly, and then went to her desk which now occupied a corner of the study. “ I shall answer her at once, bless her; dear me ! how pleased papa will be ; he has worried so much about not having her here this winter on my account, but we really could not afford it, and now the boys will have a home. On the whole ” said Dolly, throwing down her pen “ I will wait until papa comes, and I have talked it over with him.”

Chapter II. Harvard Budd Shows His Hand And Con¬ Siderable Heart

WOODBOX. OCT, 1 8 ,-

HygEAR MISS LUCINDA:

I don’t know where to begin or end,

I am so pleased with your new plan, and papa is so happy about it, that we have talked it over for hours. What a woman you are!

“ Not one in a thousand would think of changing all their mode of life just to care for some boys who are only strangers 19 you, or were, when the war began. You are a dear, noble, unselfish, soul. Of course we will make pin cushions or anything else for the “ Annex,” only don't tell the boys one word of it, please.”

Harvard Budd Shows his Hand\ iy

“ I shall write Cora at once; you know she is in Vassar College now and promises to be a fine scholar. I wanted to go dreadfully. I cried over it many a night when dear papa thought I was sound asleep, but you see it was not right. Even you, kind and good as you are, could not make papa’s life all I can, and he shall miss as little as possible. He said I might go, and wrote a letter ask¬ ing you to come and help me get ready, but the letter was never sent, for I found him one day sitting in his chair looking at my picture and dear mammas, and he said aloud little dreaming I was near: ‘ My little

woman, it will make the old man desolate to lose you too, even for a short time.’ Do you think I would let honors and books drag me from him after that ? No, I had a little fight all by myself, and then one day I made him talk about the boys and I found we too had lost money by the war, and my darling was troubled about educating his wards for said he, ‘ Little woman, I shall do

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by them as if they were indeed my own . 9 Then I made him promise that I should do my share and he has consented, so you see it is all for the best, dear Miss Lucinda, and perhaps I shall be loved, and do just as much good in the world as if I went to college.

“ Now comes the tug of war, and it is for you to settle this worry also. Will you take under your motherly wing Ned, Walter, and Charlie? The big boys can be of great ser¬ vice to them and I know it will do Reggie good to look after them a little. Papa will pay you liberal board for them and they can attend the excellent public schools there. When Reggie and Dick first entered Har¬ vard papa wished some way would open for the boys to be together. If your rooms are all full I don't know what you can do, but I am sure you will see how as you always have done. Now if we could be there would it not be charming ? Here we must stay for the present. Papa goes to the Medical Di-

Harvard Budd Shows his Hand. ig

rectors"office every day on some Government duty; he says he likes it, but I am very sure he gets too tired; nearly every evening he falls asleep on the lounge.

“ Will Jack Montgomery give up Columbia and enter Harvard? Mrs. Miller wrote me that he thought of it. And now you dear good soul, when shall we send the boys, or better yet, when can Reggie come for them ? Not until you are settled. Please send us a line yourself for Reggie says so little, and Dick capers so even on paper that we are uncertain what to do.

Your ever loving

Dolly Warrington.”

Letters now multiplied. Reggie wrote that the plan was perfect, as everything was which originated in the “ Woodbox; ” Dick filled two sheets of foolscap with “ remarks ” on the situation; and practical Miss Lu¬ cinda set down business matters in good round figures. “ Of course she could have the twins, and Mister Ned ; strangers would

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not have the first chance if she knew it. Reekie and Dick had two beds in their room, the twins could have one and Mister Ned could occupy the little hall-room close by, she had counted on it for a kind of sewing room, but accordin’ to present doings she shouldn’t need much room to sew in. Yes, Jack Montgomery had turned his back on Columbia and would share Harvard Budd’s room for the present. The house looked very well considerin’; was rather barn-like at first, but come to get in some furnitoor and fixins’ it was a little more ship-shape. Dick and Reggie had worked like beavers and the lambrequins Miss Dolly sent was up in their room. Reggie couldn’t leave with¬ out missing many valuable lectures, but I suppose he wrote you and those three boys can travel alone just as well. I’d trust Mister Charlie anywhere.”

The tidings ran swiftly round the little circle. Cora wrote from Vassar that every moment was crowded, but thank fortune

Harvard Budd Shows his Hand. 21

papa kept her purse full; she wanted to send her donation direct to Dolly in the shape of a twenty dollar bill and Dolly the brave must see to it that every one of our boys had some little reminder of C. B. in the “Annex.” Then Mrs. Miller always happy even in her great sorrow to brighten some face with pleasure, packed with her own hands the trunks of the boys and put in many a needed article, for said she in her note to the Doctor at Georgetown “ I could not have those motherless lads go through New York without a bit of vacation.” The “ bit ” lasted a week and the trio resolved that Mrs. Miller knew all about boys, and was just the cheeriest, brightest lady in the world. Then came the meeting in Boston.

Reggie, Dick, and Jack Montgomery went to the station to meet them. Every one in the house knew they were coming and Dick had related various stories of each, which inclined the young gentlemen favorably towards the boys. At the station Harvard

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Budd was seen walking about to the surprise of all, and in response to Dick’s queries as to “ what was up ” he quietly said : “ Why you

know our horses haven’t been out much for a week and needed exercise and I thought you fellows wouldn’t mind driving over.”

“ Oh I see, I see,” said Dick, “ a surprise as it were; well we are agreeable aren’t we, boys? Luxury suits my style, Budd, and you’re a trump for thinking of the little chaps.”

“ You couldn’t well forget any of your party,” said Budd politely. This same Mr. Budd was frequently considered a prig, a dandy, or as the boys have it “ a swell.” Like many another he was misjudged. It is true hi^ clothes were made at a fashionable tailor’s, and the number of his suits were almost legion, his gloves were faultless, his boots of - the finest, and as to canes — well — some one once said that Budd senior was noted for canes, not brains. We must however do him the justice to say that he was neither

Harvard Bitdd Shows his Hand\ 23

proud in a mean sense, or selfish, and con¬ sidering the atmosphere in which he lived, he was singularly unspoiled. Doctor War¬ rington who never failed to detect latent qualities spoke of young Budd as a capital fellow who only needed the spur of adver¬ sity to make him a fine man. At all events, Budd made no display of wealth and gen¬ erally offered some treat to his chosen friends with the air of one who would be indebted to them if they accepted. To him our boys owed many a favor. Sometimes a day’s out¬ ing in the family carriage, sometimes the opera or a fine play, and always the use of his large library while the family remained abroad. It was growing cool when the train at last thundered into the station, and our, young travellers were wondering if New England did not get up colder weather for October than any other section; they had little time for speculation before the cars stopped and they were at once surrounded by their friends.

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“ Gracious! how you have grown,” ex¬ claimed Dick. “ I say, fellows, these two rascals were in knee pants last year.”

“ No, we weren’t,” said Charlie ; “ you’re thinking of Bertie.”

Ned Gresham had crept close to his brother in a shy half bashful fashion, not daring to make much outward exhibition of feeling lest. Reggie might not like it, but very proud when Reggie held his hand tightly and said “ This is my brother, gentle¬ men, and my cousins, I think you have all met before.”

“ And these are all my adopted brothers, gentlemen,” chimed in Dick, “ and the best I ever had.”

Then came the pairing off, and the get¬ ting into the carriage, while Reggie in his cool methodical way looked after the trunks.

“ Now, boys,” said Dick, when they were all seated, “ you must tell us about home. What did my dear sweetheart say and what do ? Did Dolly join you in New York? Did the

Harvard Budd Shows his Hand\ 25

doctor say he would place you under my special charge ? Come out with it, news, news, I am starving for news.”

“Charlie must answer,” said Ned Gresham. “ He has acted as spokesman since we left home and — Dick Miller?”

“ Very good, Ned, very good, now Char¬ lie —”

“ Your mother was very kind- to us, she took us everywhere, showed us New York in good shape, and I think fitted us out in or¬ der to save Miss Lucinda some trouble.”

“ Bless her,” exclaimed Dick, “ she’s the dearest mother in the world.”

“ Except mine,” said Jack Montgomery.

“ I take off my hat to yours, Jack ; she is worthy of a better son, but my mother is simply perfection.” Reggie was looking sadly at him as he pronounced the last word, and the warm hearted Dick hastened to add: “ She has mother-love in her nature enough for a regiment; she adopted every one of the boys at the ‘ Woodbox,’ and this

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rascal,” pointing to Reggie, “ calls her his other mother.’ ”

“ She has been a comfort to us all since the day we first saw her,” said Reggie earn¬ estly. “ I never feel like checking Dick when he talks of her ; he could not praise her too warmly,”

Dick’s hat was off in a moment. He had never during his brief college days, felt so proud as at the time of her visit to him ; a short hurried stay, but long enough to have the fellows see her and admire her in honest, gentlemanly fashion.

Evidently Harvard Budd had given secret orders to his coachman, for the drive was ex¬ tended, and the fresh air revived the travel¬ lers before they reached their new home.

Chapter III. Dick As Guardian

am tickled enough to see you,” said "\|||| Miss Lucinda, as she welcomed the bosy, “ and land sakes, how you’ve growed! who can keep you in clothes ? Mister Char¬ lie, you must have a stone put on your head, it ain’t becomin’ in you to get so much above your twin. Well Mister Walter, what’s your head full of now? machinery I’ll be bound; and here’s Mister Ned, handsome as ever; well, well, boys, you are all to home now, and must make yourselves happy. I must go, for these late dinners keep a body busy.”

And away went Miss Lucinda panting to the basement.

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Who can picture the scene in the upper front room of the Annex that nmht ? It was

O

one to make a mother’s heart leap for joy. The trunks were unpacked, and one by one the elder boys handled each article with ten¬ der care and loving comments on “ dear Mother Miller.”

Jack Montgomery was not forgotten by his mother, and Harvard Budd, who had lounged up stairs from his elegant room be¬ low, was surprised to find himself remem¬ bered also. Mrs. Miller had not forgotten his courteous attentions the summer pre¬ vious at Beverly Farms, anch her little gift was the very thing to please a fastidious young man, a beautiful ivory tablet with his name carved upon it. Reggie looked again and again at the law books which he had so long coveted, and lively Dick danced about in a new dressing gown with a case of surgi¬ cal instruments under his arm. Of course he was envied by all his class, and laughed at not a little for the gift in season. “ I ordered

Dick as Guardian .

them for you, my clear Rattlebrain, when our friend Doctor Weiner went abroad; he returned only last week, and i cannot wait until you come out a full fledged M. D., be¬ fore presenting them. Your father will laugh at me of course.”

This was written on a slip of paper at¬ tached to the case.

m

The confusion of tongues increased on the upper floor as the trunks were emptied, and at last, when beds, tables, lounge, and chairs were all covered, Miss Lucinda ap¬ peared.

“Well, I never,” was her characteristic salutation, as she opened the door and the following tableau presented itself: Walter was carefully stowing away some models in the bottom of his trunk; Charlie sat between two piles of dry goods trying to discover some night shirts; and Ned was leaning lov¬ ingly on his brother’s shoulder, while Reggie eagerly turned over page after page of his new treasures. The younger boy could not

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understand a word of all he saw but it was enough for him that dear old Reggie was smiling and happy. On one bed lounged, gracefully of course, “ Budd the magnifi¬ cent, ” as the boys called him, and on the other Jack Montgomery’s sharp eyes peered over the top of various articles, such as shoes, school-books, hat-boxes, towels, soap, skates, dumb-bells and the usual prop¬ erty of boys. Dick, the witty, wise and mis¬ chievous, known everywhere as “ Doctor Dick,” sat prone on the floor as near the, centre as he could get, considering the pres¬ ence of three trunks, and the condition of the room. On his head he had perched a

new skating cap, his elegant dressing gown .

was literally thrown on, his eyes were spark- Hng, his cheeks rosy, and for once he was speechless; among the treasures he had dis¬ covered a box of confectionery, and at the moment of Miss Lucinda’s entrance he was laboring with that adhesive sweetmeat, known as “ Butter Scotch.”

Dick as Guardian.

“ Well, I never,” repeated Miss Lucinda, “ how do you expect to get into your beds this night ? ”

Reggie sprang up 'to offer her a chair; Dick rose also, after many attempts, and presented the box of confections, while he made frantic efforts to exercise his jaws, much to the amusement of the rest.

Walter and Charlie began a vigorous hunt for certain articles, marked Lucinda Dodge, and the good woman seated herself with a look of dismay on her benign countenance. Suddenly her eyes rested on Dick who was still making absurd grimaces, as he vainly tried to free his handsome teeth and im¬ prisoned tongue.

Even aunt Lucinda forgot her Puritan grimness and chuckled audibly; every one joined in the chorus; when tired of laughing, they sat to work with a will, and wardrobe and closet soon concealed all the garments which the the trunks had discarded; then came the arrangements for sleeping, after

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which “ Miss Dodge,” as all the young gentlemen called her, went below, bearing her own share of gifts, while she said to her¬ self, “ Was there ever such folks ? As aunt Axy used to say, ‘ They make a little bit of Kingdom Come right here on earth.’ ”

It was one of the fine points in Dicks character that so much strength and nobility was hidden beneath his sportive manner; when occasion offered he was as dignified and thoughtful as any college Don.

When the guests had left, Dick’s manner became that of a business man. He had found out the proper schools, had investigated the subject of text-books, and knew exactly when, how, and where, the boys should enter on their duties. He had done all this while Reggie fully intended to, but was absorbed in his studies.

Dick’s quickness aided him everywhere; where Reg plodded on faithfully, Dick sailed easily. Both young men were fav¬ orites with their professors, both stood well

Dick as Guardian .

in their classes, and the only matter of regret between them was Dick’s devotion to medi¬ cine, and Reggie’s decided preference for the

law.

In society, Dick was a universal favorite while Reggie’s quiet manner and natural reserve led some to question his reputed fine scholarship. Dick knew every pretty girl worth knowing, and owned a small photographic gallery of his own, wherein were displayed his numerous friends. His collection of pen wipers, slippers, cushions, and nick nacks, furnished much amusement for his friends in college. He exchanged rings, borrowed charms, wrote dainty notes, and rivaled “ Budd the magnificent ” in the number of his invitations, and yet, he was clear-headed, sure of himself, and determined to stand well.

“ I think I have the elements in me which might lead to fastness,” he said one day to Jack. “ Oh, no, you haven’t Dick,” said Jack remorsefully, “you are so cool. You

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know just when to say no, and stick to it; now I say no again and again, and then hate myself for giving in.”

Poor Jack had been beguiled into attend¬ ing a card party without ladies and his head was now dazed and painful owing to the champagne he had taken.

“ You don’t know,” said Dick eagerly, “you don’t know half the old Adam there is in us all, Monte, and the question is, shall it govern, or shall we? You see when lam tempted I think of that mother of mine ; she said once, 4 Never do anything, my boy, which you will regret when you are a man; he is most manly who is most pure.’ Now Monte, if you would think of that little woman in New York who loves you as she does her eyes, you would stop short, and not get into scrapes, and then Monte, old boy, if you didn’t pretend to be an infidel I might say that strength comes for the asking.”

“ I am not an infidel, Dick, I assure you,

Dick as Guardian .

but so much cant and nonsense disgusts me.

“ I know, Monte, but who ever heard of counterfeit coin without the genuine ? Good-by, I must cram now, before the little shavers come in; you know we fellows are sort of guardians to them, and Chari already declares you to be the prince of good fel¬ lows.”

“ Confound it, Dick, I mean to be. Say I have a bad nervous head-ache, will you ? but don’t let the boys know the rest.”

Jack Montgomery had reached the point where he scorned himself, and every one knows it is a dangerous one in any young man’s career.