A casual acquaintance with the Millville people might easily explain this.
With the advent of the Weggs, however, a strong friendship seemed to spring up between the retired sea captain and the bluff, erratic old farmer, which lasted until the fatal day when one died and the other became a paralytic and a maniac.
"We have always thought," said Ethel, "that the shock of the Captain's death unsettled my grandfather's mind.

They had been sitting quietly in Captain Wegg's room one evening, as they were accustomed to do, when there was a sudden fall and a cry.

Thomas ran in at once, and found grandfather raving over the Captain's dead body.

The old seaman had heart disease, it seems, and had often declared he would die suddenly.
It was a great blow to us all, but especially to Joe." Her voice softened at this last remark, and Patsy exclaimed, impulsively: "Tell us about Joe Wegg.

Did you like him ?" "Yes," said Ethel, simply; "we were naturally thrown much together in our childhood, and became staunch friends.