Genealogical notes of Barnstable families - citizen hylbom blog

122 GENEALOGICAL NOTES OF BARNSTABLE FAMILIES.
third was paid by private siihscriptions. The mail left
Boston about four o'clock in the morning, and was due
in Barnstable at eight in the evening. During the war
the people were anxious to obtain the news, and the men
of the neighborhood, and messengers from distant parts
of the town, assembled at the post-office on the evening
of the days when a mail was due. It was also a favorite
resort for boys who were very troublesome to the doctor.
On winter evenings when the mail was delayed by the bad
condition ot the roads, or a storm, a large company assembled
in the doctor's parlor. The men were usually
seated in a semi-circle around the fire, and the boys were
seated on the floor with their feet pushed between the
rundles of the chairs to obtain some warmth from the fire.
The doctor had a few stereotype stories which he repeated
every evening, the scenes whereof were laid in
Maine, where he resided some time when a young man.
His wife was a very intelligent woman, and their only
child, Abigail, was a kind-hearted and accomplished
lady, extremely courteous and obliging to all who called
at the office, or to obtain books from the Social Library,
of which she took the charge. After the death of her
parents she married her relative, Nathan Stone, Esq., of
Dennis.
Doctor Bourne was temperate in his habits ; that is
he never was intoxicated at his own expense. During
his time, there were few who could say as much in their
own vindication. It was fashionable at that time for the
men to assemble fi'equently at the taverns, where they
often remained till late, drinking, carousing, and sometimes
to gamble. The doctor was sometimes invited to
these parties. He sung the same song "Old King Cole,"
on all festive occasions. After two or three drams, he
would sinffhis song, which would cause infinite diversion
to the company. Liquor deprived the doctor of the little
wit he ordinarily had, and his grotesque acts and uncouth
expressions rendered him a boon companion. The story
of one of these adventures was often told by the late
Abner Davis, Esq., who probably added some embellishments
of his own, for there were few men who could tell
a story better than- he.
About the year 1810, Doctor Bourne was invited to