Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-08-08
MISCE LII A N Y.
The Doctors Patient.

Ii was about eight years ago, on winter @
vening, as Dr. ---- was sitting smoking oy
his fire in his office, on Common street, having
ON one of those famous large white vests, as was
his CUSTOM that his reveries were disturbed BY
GREAT cutlery and noise in the street near his of
fice The doctor, VINO IS ever on the alert io'
witnessinr row, aud, whose delight it wa
to see fight rushed to his door to learn the cause
of the disturbance. when he heard the gruft voice
of watchmau saying SEQ along quietly, OF IL
make YOU 90; don't hold hack or I'll hit you owe
the head-you shall go the watch house" lht
person to whom this language was addressed
and with whom the watchman appeared to b'
STRUGGLING, was crying out in piteous tones, -
must have doctor {; let me 90 in and see doctor
or shall die my head is broken; for Gods SAKE
don't lock me up until have Doctor"
.What is this row ahout2" says the docto
with a voice of authority, as he went out On tht
side walk. The watchman explained that TIT
| prisoner was drunk, aud had been fighting; tina
! he was taking him to the watch-house, out Una
he refused to 90 until ne could have physlclan
.Come in - says the doctor, ''and VIII examine
YOU and see what can be DONE" The watchmaf
hesitated for moment; the prisoner renewed hi'
entreaties, but the doctors consequential mannel
soon settled the matter, and the three entered the
doctors front office together.
On coming to the light it was evident to the
doctor, by the appearance of the prisoner, that ht
was a gentleman, although he had been roughly
| dealt with by somebody. His hair was hanging
| loosely over his face, which was covered with
| blood his shirt was torn and bloody, and his ha
I knocked down flat ON his head, his cravat
united, and his clothes very dirty, The prs
oner who complained ola terrible pain IN his heae
| aud was making great fuss about It, stated tha'
| he was set upon by two men, who Knocked MIN
! down, beat and kicked him, that he was as lnno
cent as lamb; and as sober as temperance lectnr
er: but that the watchman had let the other man go
and grabbed him. This very common story with
prisoners after being arrested, was of course
stoutly denied by the watchman, who stated tina,
the prisoner was drunk and noisy and had been pur
posely creating disturbance, and that he had IN
/ suited and attacked two gentlemen, who were
forced to knock him down and give him in charge
! The doctor, who now, and always ''had an eye
/ to business,'' cared but little which story was
true, as he had lost sight Of the fight and begar
| to think of the fee He therefore, proposed to the
watchman TO take seat by the fire lur few min
utes. while he took the wounded man into hls
| hack office to wash and dress the wounds, the
doctor pledging his honor 10 the watchman Iha
he would again produce the prisoner.
As the doctor aud his patient entered the bach
office. the door of which was puIposely, but grad
ually closed, the patient, cautiously placed ten
dollar ruld piece in the hands of his medical adyt
ser. and whispered, II ain not much hurt, au
/ playing pOSsum in order to get Off,"
al thought as much. III help you through,
replied the doctor. giving knowing wink, which
both understood as a sign of mutual recognition o
each Others views. The doctor, who reveled In 8
| Joke, now thought he spied fan ahead while t.
gold piece and sly manner of his patient, con
yinced him that he was dealing with a clever
fellow. Both now went TO work, washing of the
blood and dirt from the face and clothes Of the
prisoner, who with the aid of water and soap
sponge and brushes, soon looked quite different
man His hair was brushed, his hat put IN shape
his crayat tied, and his coat buttoned up to "a
chin. "Now" says old Saw bones, that watch
man never would know you again. | iooIlshly
told him that would produce you and must dc
il. There is little door leading to an alley way
aud to the street 90 around and come IN the
front office door, and I'll bet money he never viii
smell il out" The arrangement was soor fixed
The watchman now beginning to whistle and
show signs of Impotence, the doctor Soon joined
him in the font office and explained that prison
er was busily engaged in bathing his wounded head
that he would soon be through with that job aud
that there was no hurry. The easy assurance OF the
doctor soon quieted the watchman, and they had
commenced quite an interesting conversation, re-
lating 10 the hard work and poor pay OF the CITY
gua rdians, when the doctors street door suddenly
opened, and well dressed man with hearty
staggering. good humored air, hastily entered
aud said, ''tIow are you, doctor Delighted to see
you. Let's 90 out and take drink
The doctor stared little at first, but soon re-
covering hiuaself, agreed to the proposition, and
united with the stranger in urging the waichman
to .simbibe'' with them. The wachman wanted
drink badly, but then he thought of his prisoner
in the back room, also Of being caught drinking in
!, nublic house, and he refused to 60. 1t was fl
1ally agreed that the DOCTORS negro boy should
o, over at the ST. Charles, and bring three good
1tronC hot whiskey punches. The liquor was
,,ought and was drank with great glee by all
The stranger after making few pleasant remarks
and nassing 9 few sly winks with ''Old PIll Box,
who looked as demure as parson, who shook his
companion warmly by the hand, and bidding them
good night, departed.
ss'Phat are fellow has heen long enough IN that
hack room fix ng his self, and shan't wait any
LONGER for him" said the watchman, as he rose
frn4 his seat. and, with consequential air, ap-
nrnacbed the door of the back office. ''Come a
lone YOU. sir, can't be fooled with no longer 10y
nobody,' continued he as he looked into the rear o
the room for the prisoner.
"Who are you looking for?" quietly inquired
the doctor.
That are prisoner Of mine as had his heads