Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1857-04-03
PAYING THE DOCTOR,
nyr s. Arthur.

ke,s and bsl-ln.lls, Just as tho clock
struck twelve, ono stormy night IN Fshrr-
ary. For over hall an hoa, ho bal lain
awake, rackiug his brain IN refeFonce to
two or throo critical cases which wcro on
his hands; bit tired nature could keep mp
no longer. anl tho sweet oblivion Of sleep
was stealing over his sonses. Dut jus. MS
hc had los. himself, the bell over his heal
began to ring furIonsly, and bsoush. him
into tho middle OF the lloor 20 an Instant.
Pushing his heal out Of tho window, he
interfogatca tho messenger ba'oa, just too
lato to save that individual the trouble Of
giving The bsll.ropc another violent dam-
oast-ation of bis skill.
M. Marvel wants you to como and
500 Charley immslia.ely," replied tho
messenger.
What's the matter with Chayley?
Hes got tho Group Ibelieve.'
Tell him I'll be there in moment
said Dr.. Elton. drawing in bis heal.--
Hurying on his clothes, be descended to
bis Office, and. possessing bimsolf Of some
necessary medicines. it bsing too late for
the family to send out prescription,
wrapped his cloak around him, and turn
ed ont into the storm.
It was at least half a mile to tho resi-
donco of Mr.. Muvel. aud by tho time tho
doctor arrived there, no was cold wet, and
uncomfortable both ia mind and BODY
Ascending to the chamber, he was not . lit
tie surprised to Gad Charley. bright lit
tic fellow Of some two years oil, sitting
up in his crib as lively as acrickct
20 doctor wo'vc bocn so frishtencd.''
said Mrs. Marvel, as DR.. Elton entered.
"Avo thought Charley bad the Group. he
SO loud. But he ,lon't seem TO
Get any worse. What do you think Of
him, doctor p
Dr. Elton Eel. his pulse, listened to his
respiration, examined the appearance Of
his skin, and then said, cmplaiically--
81 think you'd better all bo in bed p
'I.'s better to b, sacred than hurt, doc
.or.v responded Mrs. Marvel.
'Humph = calculated Dr.. Elton.
Don't yoa think you'd better give him
something, doctor?" said Mrs Marvel.
What for ma'am p
'To keep him from having ;hs croup.
Doa't yen think he's threatened with it?"
Not half as much as am replied the
loctor. who made qnick retreat, fearing
hat he would give way TOO much to his
riated feelings. aud offend family who
whore able to pay.
Next morning, on tho debtor side Of his
elser under the namo Of Mr.. Marvel,
Ds. Elton made this entry: To ons night
visit to son, s.. "Aud IFS well for mo
that he's able to pay.p adlel the doctor,
as he r,placc,l tho book in tito
lrlwer from which he had taken it,
Scarcely llad this necessary part Of the
business been performed. when the samo
who hal Summoned lin tho
night before. cami p 81: h,sie into the Of
Ice, with thu announcement that Mrs..
Mirval wanted him 20 come there lmmo
lately, As Charley had gotta high fsvcr.
0bclicat to the Summons, d.. Elton
'oon ma'ia his appearance, aoi found both
M. and Mrs Marvel greatly concerned
about there little boy.
"I'm so 'lrail Of the scarle: fever, doc
sory said Mrs Marvel. DO yca think
us any thing Iisso tha.:' she continued
with much anxiety, turning upon Charley
4 look Of deep matcrnal affection.
Dr. Elton fels Of Charley's pulse, AMI
looked at his tongue, and thcn wrote q
prescription in s.lcncc.
What TO yon think OF him, doctor?
asked flic father, muci. concerned.
Hes not dangcrpar, Sir. Give him
:hls, aud II he should grow worse, send
Tor me-
The doctor bowed and departed, apd
the fond parents sent OF for the medicine.
Ilwas in the form of avcry small dose Of
and poor Charley hal to have
his nose held tight. and tic nauseoos ssuif
poured down his throas. IN the afternoon
when the doctor called. on being sent for,
there were somc slight feb;l. symptoms,
consequent upon excitement and loss OF
rest. The medicine, contrary 70 his cx-
rccta.icr. heightened, instead Of allaying
these; and long before night-fdi he was
summoned again to attend his li,,le pa
tieut. Much to his surprise, he found
him with hot skin, flushed face, aud
quickencd pulse. Mrs. Marvel was IN a
state of terrible alarm.
4 know there was more the matter with
him than YOU though: for, doclos.' said
;hc mother, while Dr.. Elton examined his
patient. you .housht was nothing,
but ] knew better. II you'd only pre-
scrlbcd last night, as l wan;ed You to, all
this might have been savel."
"Don't be alarmed, madam," said ths
doctor "thcrc is nothing serious in thi.
fever. Il viii soon subside."
Mrs. Marvel shool, her heal.
cts the scarlet fever. doctor, know
It is!o said she, passloDately, bursting IN
to tears.
"Lct mo bcg cfyou, madam, not 70 DIS
ircss yourself. assure YOU there is NJ
danger p
80 You said last night, doctor; and jus
SEQ how much worse he S getting
As Dr.. Elton was generally mar 0
few words. he said no more. but wrote :
prescription. and went away, promising
however, at the eawcss-roquesi Of Mrs
Marvel. to call again thar risl;.
About nine o'clock he callel in, ans
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