The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-06-12
"Has anything serious occurred!'

looked into Mary's sober, anxious face.
"Nothing very serious, | hope, Doc
tor. But we have been dreadfully
frightened. Poor Fido fell down a
whole flight of stairs, and has hurt him
self very badly, Pm afraid. did not
know what to do, father and mother
being away, and SO sent Immediately
for you." 800 a't VI
For a few moments Doctor Carpus
hardly knew where he was, or what to
say or do. 1t was plain, serious as
Mary seemed, that she was quizzing
him; and that she had chosen a method
to annoy and mortify him, Of all others
the most efCectuaI. Vain and self.im-
portant as he was, his character had in
it a spice of decision and frmness.--
He was likewise proud-spirited, and
this determined him not to exhibit a
portion of the surprise and Indignation
that he felt. Turning coolly TO the bed,
he removed the bandage from Fido's
leg, and carefully examined it, much to
the pain Of the poor dog, who uttered
q constant succession of distressing
cries. He then replaced the bandage
more carefully, and ordered that said
bandage be kept constantly wet with
vinegar. A prescription was written
and handed to Mary, with directions
how to administer the medicine. Bow
ing then gravely and with a dignifed
professional air, he promised to call
punctually on the next morning, and
then departed. ...sJa.l
In the morning he came about the
same hour--entered with perfect com.
posure-bowed to Mary, who was in
The sick chamber, with a courteous
smile, and then turned to look after his
patient, whom he pronounced better.
Another prescription was written, and
again the physician departed. This
was continued for a week, sadly to the
annoyance o: Mary, who, however,
Kept up her assumed character as per.
fectly as did the Doctor. By this time
Fido could run about as usual, and as
the Doctor still called in regularly, Ma.
ry had to request him to suspend his
professional visits, as their little pei
seemed quite restored.
Doctor Carpus bowed and smiled
c~ourteousIy at this, and then left the
house. OF course, Mary was never al
ter troubled with his company.
1t happened about six months after.
wards, when the whole story had gone
the rounds, and Doctor Carpus had
been annoyed by it to his hearts con
tent, that a collector stepped into Mr..
Mayf1ower's store and presented a bill
for two hundred dollars, for medical
attendance in his family.
"But ] don't owe Doctor Carpus any
thing. He has never practised in my
family. What does he mean, pray, by
sending me q bilIw
81 know nothing about it," the COL
Iector replied. "He gave me the bill
amongst others, and asked me to pre-
sent it."
"It's very strange! He never visited
my family professionally"
"What shall | say to him, Mr.. May
Aower?"
"Tell him that | say | don't owe him
any thing, and am surprised at his pre-
suming to send me a BILL"
every we'll, sir" And the collector
withdrew.
An hour after, he returned with a
new and more explicit bill. 1t called
for two hundred dollars for "six visits
and medicine, to dog Fido," As soon
as he read it, Mr.. MayAower became
very angry, and said some hard things
about Doctor Carpus. When he had
cooled off a little, the collector formal
ly demanded the bill, and was as for
mally told to 60 about his business, and
that right speedily.
On the next morning, Mr.. Mayfow-
or was still further COMPOUNDED to find
a lawyers note on his desk, setting
forth, that he, the said lawyer, had
been instructed to bring suit on a GER
tain claim, fully expressed, in favor Of
Doctor Carpus.
Here, then, the matter began to as
sumo a rather serious form. A lawyer
was consulted, who assured him that
Carpus could not possibly recover the
amount claimed, although he was le-
gally entitled to regular fees for hls SER
vices, which would undoubtedly be
awarded him. But, as the prosecution
of the suit would necessarily lead to an
unpleasant exposure Of his daughter,
who, if he defended the case, would be
called into court to give evidence, the
lawyer seriously advised the incensed
old gentleman to settle the claim, I'M
Just and ~exorbitant as it was, and so
get clear of the whole matter.
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