Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-03-18
From the Boston True Flag.
GAMING THE DOCT

n ~ H Il
DR.. Tallman was six feet two inches high,
and proportionately athletic. Undoubtedly he
would have made better farmer than physi-
clan, but his mother insisted on it that he was
genius, and that he should be sent to college.
He went to college, studied medicine, and
came out one Of the tallest doctors in the
State. He had not much taste for physic, and
We believe the doctors generally have not bit
his fathers exchequer was exhausted by the
drains his education had made upon it, and he
was compelled to follow the life marked out
for him by his mother.
There was no polish in DR.. Tallman's man
ners, consequently he did not thrive with the
ladies and when the ladies get out with doc
tor, he might well hang up his fiddle. He
did not succeed in one place, and changed his
locality. Tits suited him no BETTER and he
was obliged to move again, and for ten years
he led a sort Of migratory life, till we find him
settled in Spindletown, manufacturing town
in New England. He had not been in town
long before the people took a dislike to him.
Tho ladies wouldn't have him, and the young
men made game of him. Already he had been
the Victim of more than practical joke,
and had come to be regarded by the wags,
wits and loafers, as Legitimate prey.
At the house of the Widow Green boarded
two young men, Joe Siblcy and Sam Lawson,
who were particularly hostile to the new doc
tor. In vain the widow tried to persuade them
that DR.. Tallman was a very clever man, tho
little awkward, and protested that it was a
shame to talk about him, and especially TO
play off jokes upon him.
The secret of the Widow Green's opinion OF
the unpopular doctor was, that she had had
violent attack of the rheumatism and he had
cured her. II was undeniable that so far as
the abstract practice Of his profession was con-
cerned, he was a successful physician, and
nothing but his lack of the social attributes OF
good doctor, stood in the way of complete
success.
After tea, one cold, stormy winter night,
Joe Sibley felt particularly disposed to do
some mischief, and the doctor was at once sug.
gested as the most fitting subject.
"What will we do, Sam 7'' he asked; and
both racked their brains, or that which stood
there instead of brains, to devise scheme
that would afford them the most sport.
"Suppose we turn him out of bed tonight
about one O'Clock 2"
"Goodl We will send Ben Jackson up af-
ter him. Let him say VIC eat something, and
are both poisoned
"That's the idea! When he gets here, and
fnds US beth well and hearty, won't his eyes
stick out2''
Mrs. Green, who was in the back room and
heard this precious scheme, thought they
would too; but she was prudent woman, and
whatever she did, she kept her own counsel.
Ben Jackson was sent for, and fully appre-
ciated the joke, promising to lend his hearty
. cooperation.
The young men went to bed in their sepa-
rate apartments, which, by the way, were at
opposite ends of the house, to await the arri-
val of the doctor. About one O'Clock, they
heard him try the door, and then knock vio-
lently.
.swhat is wanting 7'' asked Mrs. Green.
"Where are the sick meni 20
"Thcre are no sick men here," replied the
widow.
eyes. there are. Jackson just called me out
of bed, saying they were poisoned, and would
die If did not come right off, continued the
doctor, rather testify and Joe Sibley could
distinctly hear him stamp with impatience up
on the door stone.
"Bless me. / didn't know it 20 added the
widow.
.Let us in at once. The men may die while
We are talking about it,"
Joe laughed under the bed-clothes, and pre-
pared TO receive the doctor and laugh at him.
In moment the widow showed him into his
room care you the man that has been pois-
oned % asked the doctor, taking the lamp and
approaching the bed
"No! nol''
'Joseph Sibley 2"
nat my name, but l amt poisoned.'
81 see how it is-out of his head not an
uncommon thing with persons who are pois-