Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-07-23
EVENING STAR.
THE DOCTORS PATIENr;
Or, the Watchman's Prisona,

4
bis custom, that his reverics were disturbed
| by great outcry and noise in the street near
| his Office. The doctor, who Is ever on the
alert for witnessing a row, and whose delight
1t was to see fight, rushed to his door to learn
the cause of the disturbance, when he heard
the gruh voice of a watchman saying $50
along quietly, or I'll make you go; don't
hold back, or III hit you ever the head-you
4 shall go the watch-house." The person to
whom this language was addressed, and with
whom the watchman appeared to be struggling
| was crying out In piteOus tones, q must have
doctor; let me 60 in. and see doctor, or
| shall die; my head Is broken for Gods sake
don't lock me up until L have a doctor"
| What is all this row about 20 says the doc
| TOR with voice of authority, as he went out
on the sidewalk. The w4.tchman explained
that his prisoner was drunk, ami had been
/ hghdnS, lat he was taking him to the watch
house, but that he refused to 20 until he could
have physician. " Come in,' says the doc
tor, " and I will examine you ard see what
can be dOne.' The watchman hesitated for =
| 'acInent, tho prisoner renewed MS entreaaies
but the doctors consequential manner soon
settled the matter, ID the three entered the
| doctors front VfiS together
On coming to the light il was evident 70 the
doctor, by the appeardnce of the prisoner, that
| he was gentleman, although liz had been
| roughly dealt with by somebody. His tair
was hanging loosely over his face. which was
| covered with blood, his shirt was torn and
| bloody, and his hat knocked down fat on his
| head, his cravat united, and his clothes very
| dpty. The prisoner, who complained of ter
rible pain ia his head, aad w.,s making great
| fuss about II, stated that be WIS set upon by
| two men, who knocked I;.n down, beat and
kicked him. that he was as innocent rs lamb;
and as sober as a temperance lecturer; but
| that the watchman had let the Ot..er man go
| and grabbed h'u. Tbs very common story
| with -prisoIers after being arrested, was, of
course, .toutly denied 10y the waUchman, who
| stated that the prisoner was drunk and noisy,
| anu had b'en purpnsely creating a disturb
| ance, and chat IA had insulted and attacked
two gentiemeE, who were forced to knock hin
| down and give him in charge.
The doctor, who now, and always L" had an
| eye to business cared but little which story
| was true, as he had lost sight of the light and
| began to think Of the fec. He, therefore, pro-
| posed to the watchman TO take u seat by the
| fire for few minutes, while he took the
wounded man into his back Office 10 wash and
dress the wounds, the doctor pledging his hon.
or to the watchman that nc would again pro-
| duce the prisoner.
As the doctor and his patient entered the
| back office, the door Of which was purpesely,
but gradually closed, the patient cautiously
placed q ten dollar gold piece in the hands Of
| mis- medical adviser, and whispered, =. L am
not much hurt, am playing pOssum in order
| 10 get of. =
y thought as much I'll help YOU
| through" replied the doctor, giving a know
| ing wink, which both understood as a sign of
mutual recognition Of each others views
The DOCTOR who TCveled in joke, now thought
he spied fun ahead; while the gold piece and
4 sly nalner Of his patient, convinced him
| that nc was dealing with q clever fellow
1 Both now went 10 work washing off 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 a different
| man. His hair was brushed, his hat put in
shape, his crayat tied, and his coat buttoned
| up TO the chin. Now" says old Sawbones
| that watChmln never would know YOU again
L foolishly told him that would produce you
| and must do it. There is little door lead
| ing to an alley way and the street 20 around
1 and come in the front office door, and I'll bet
| money he never will smell it OUT The AZ
| rangement was sVVn fixed.
/ The watchmaE Low beginning to whistle and
show signs OF impatience, the doctor soon Joined
him in the front Office and explained that the
| prisoner was busiy engaged in bathing his
| wounded head, that he would soon be through
l with that Job, and that there was no hurry.
| The easy assurance of the doctor soon quieted
the watchman, and they had commenced quite
| an interesting conversation, relating 10 the
| hard work and poor pay of the city guardians,
| when the doctor ) street door suddenly opened,
and well dressed man, with a hearty, swag-
4
| said, How are you, doctor Delighted TO
see you. Let's 60 out and take drink"
The doctor stared little at first, but soon
| recovering himself, agreed TO the proposition,
| and united with the stranger in urging tho
| watchman to "imbibe" with them. The
| watchman wanted drink badly. but then he
| thought of his prisoner in the back room, also
of being caught drinking in a public house,
and he refused to 90. 1t was finally agreed
that the doctors negro boy should go over at
\ the st. Charles and bring three good strong,
hot whisky punches. The liquor was brought
and was drank with great glee by all. The
| stranger, after making few pleasant remarks,
| and passing u few sly winkS with "0ld Pill
| Box, who looked as demure as a parson,
| who shook his companion warmly by the hand,
and, bidding them good night, departed
THAT are fellow has been long enough in
| that back room a fixing hisself, and shant
wait any longer for him." said the watchman,
1 as he rose from his seat, and, with conse-
| quential air, approached the door of the back
! othce. "C0me along you, sir, can't be fooled
with no longer by l1body," continued he as
| he locked into tie rear of the room for the
| prisoner
Who are you looking for?" quietly in
| quired the doctor.
That are prisoner of mine as had his head
| broke, and you was a mussin' with, - replied
| the watchlnsn, who, not perceiving the object
| Oh his search, began To feel somewhat alarmed
| and queer. ..f.-..
The gentleman to whom you no doubt |
| allude," continued the doctor blandly, "may
have left this room by that small back door;
| but he took DO unfair advantages, and have. |
| also kept my word with you to produce him
| for he came and we have both had the plea |
| sure of drinking with him within the last five |
| minutes. If you wanted to take him to the |
watch-house, why did nt you tell him so 9''
What, Was that ere last fellow in here |
| the chap as was fotching along to the lock- |
up! Now, who would have knOw'd that |
L IL blowed if L did, stammered out the be |
wildered and disappointed watchman.
The delighted doctor was roaring with laugh |
| ter, but he could not help saying, " Now, |
watchmah, if had thought that you wanted |
that fellow, would have spoken to him about |
it.
{" You go to the devil" grOwled out the