Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1841-07-29
POOLING THE DOCTOR.

I
can only be realized by actual expert.
ence. How UNNECESSARILY is that enjoy.
ment increased, upon being told, after ar
irving at the end of your toilsome journey,
that the "patient is only little ailing,"
and by having request made that 'you
will not charge any thing for the visit z
The Country Doctor" tells good story
on this point:
1t was at night in December bitterly,
bitterly cold. The Mercury sank below
zero, water thrown into the air froze be-
fore il reached the ground. The N. E.
wind blew gale, bearing with II clouds
of drifting snow, and obscurlng the at
mosphere with white haze, rendered Wis.
ble by the dim light Of the moon. After
hours OF actual toll and suffering during
the day, was DOING in my slippers be.
fore good hickory fire, having suffered
the book which was reading TO fall from
my hand. But not even the ample jambs
OF the old farm. houses could afford pro-
lection on that tempestuous night. The
wind found its way through every nook
and Granny, and certain creeping sepsu-
tons, in the region ofthe back and should
ers made me. sensibly aware of lis effects.
The old clock shortly after striking
eleven, and the family having retired, |
arose, covered up the embers very care.
fully, muitering something about the dam
ger of fire, and departed 10 my chamber.
When the shock Of jumping into cold
bed had little subsidized, and universal
shivering given 10 genial warmth, took
peculiar pleasure, in listening to those
sounds which betokencd the intensity OF
the cold the cracking and swapping OF
furniture in the room, the creaking Of
trees and fences out of doors, and the blast,
as it screamed in the distance, or came
rushing in fitful gusts, driving the snow
and particles Of ice against the panes Of
glass. Then ! thought of the poor and
friendless, and those who would be slain
that night by the win,ry weather; and ]
offered up prayer to God for the mari
ners on the coast. Oppressed with wea-
rness, | could have sunk at once into a
profound sleep, but dallied pleasantly upon
the verge Of slumber, forgetting all things
else in delightful sense Of personal rest
and security.
Perhaps had remained hall an holir in
this state, when was startled by the scrap
ing ola mans footsteps upon the porch be-
low, followed Immediately by three dis
tinct raps at the door. could scarcely
believe my own senses. II is impossl-
ble,' said |, that any one could have the
cruelty to want the Doctor 10. night and
drew in my head, and lay still in perfect
desperation. But an angry and petulant
knocking succeeding without lntermlsslon
reminded me that though might be very
warm, the messenger without was very
cold, and sprang out of bed forthwith.
looked out Of the easement, and saw
man standing on the porch below, stamp
ing his feet, and Shaping his arms against
his sides.
What do you want SAID |, in tone
as cold and severe as the night cir.
doctor, want you to come right off to
Warmers to Rockaway South. Hes very
sick he's dam gerous.
How far is il 2
Eight miles.
'How have you Gomez
'On horseback
You should have come after me in a
carriage. How do you expect me to ira
vel that distance on such night
Here drew in my night-cap, unable to
endure the cutting blast, and requested
the messenger TO wait until | came down,
was not without hope that after lnqulrlng
the symptoms of the sick man, should be
able to despatch some remedies which
would afford him relief. Inspired by this
hope, hurried down stairs, let the man
into the kitchen, raked up the Goals and
began to interrogate him forthwith. But he
could not give the least information. He
was only the bearer OF peremptory mes
sage for the doctor 10 come right oil.
THIS, then, settled the whole matter, and
made the path of duty plain. had
grand enterprise before me, and felt the
calmness and resolution OF n martyr sac
rifced by the compact which he has made
with the public, TO the common good.
dismissed the messenger, and told nm
that would follow him presently. Then
Selling a lamp and treading on cats 'a'i
in my haste to be gone, went directly 10
the cock loft where Flummery slept. Inc
little old man lay on his back, with MS
mouth open, snoring heavily, and Il was
not without remorse that | shook him oy
the head and shoulders. Perhaps he was
dreaming of some heavenly kitchen, where
all should be peace and quieiness, and the
voice of scolding and complaint should
never come. .FIummery,' SAID /, i want
nv horse aud sulkey.
He started, and brought his sumoers TO
termination by on abrupt snort; then SIT,
ting up, he tore cotton handkerchief
from his head, and rubbing his eyes, APP
peared to understand exactly the state OF
the case. Yes. MASTER replied he !; and
with laudable willingness and submission,
he arose. On my way down stairs Mrs.
QuaintIey put her night.caP out OF the
door, and addressed me:
Doctor, you have Mt surely to go out
such a night as this, have YOU
Yes, madam, eight miles in the dlrec'
ton of Rockuway,
Tut, tut, tut Too bad, too bad I!
Won't tomorrow doF
Surely not in the case Of life and
death
Doctor, said she, with an air of mys.
terv, who is III What's the matter? 2
'Ah indeed, madam, know not what
Il. ...,.o. !, NJ WarnaY hnc yery