"You've been a
true friend. I don't think it makes much difference. I am a sick man,
and I must go home as soon as I can."
CHAPTER XVI
The End
[Illustration]
Sam was indeed a sick man, and the journey to the East proved to be a
severe strain upon him. Cleary saw that it would be unwise to let him
travel alone with his wife, and accordingly he accompanied him to
Slowburgh, which was on the way to Homeville. They arrived in the
afternoon, and Sam could hardly walk to the carriage which awaited him.
He was put to bed as soon as he reached his uncle's house, and on the
advice of his uncle's doctor they sent at once to the county town for a
trained nurse to take charge of him, for it was out of the question for
him to travel farther. There was no train which Cleary could
conveniently take that evening to the metropolis, and he accepted the
urgent invitation of Congressman Jinks to spend the night. It so
happened that it was a gala day for Slowburgh. Four of her soldier sons
had returned a few days before from Porsslania and the Cubapines, and
this day had been set aside for a great celebration and a mass-meeting
at the Methodist church to welcome them. The procession was to take
place early in the evening, and after supper Cleary went out alone to
watch the proceedings, leaving his friend to the care of his relatives.
He took his place on the curbstone of the principal street and was soon
conversing with his neighbors on each side, one of whom was our old
friend, Mr.
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