The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1862-10-15
PHYSIsIAN'S CERTIFICATE.

Scarcely man in the country took its
misfortune more al heart than Inerlius
MeekIeg did-when came the Presi-
dents order for drafting. Mr.. Meekleg was
never man of war or wariike words, but
be prided himself upon being a native-born
American citizen and lin times of peace, a.
leasi) seemed grateful 10 The country in
which he had rich father, and fat inher-
iiance OF more than a hundred thousand
dollars. This had given him a good start
in some mercantile business, and had in
creased itself. Notwithstanding his lack of
energy.
AT The age OF iorty, he found himself in
the year 1862, possessed of a plump and
patriotic wife and two grown up spirned
daughters, AIIegra, and Penelope. and a
hundred and forty thousand dollars worth
OF property. He approved OF The war liked
every energetic movement, and favored the
idea OF the first call for three hundred :hous.
and volunteers
Bul he steadily declined 10 go himself,
Notwithstanding the fact that his wife and
daughters urged him 10 do so, and that
he did not live on The happiest terms with
Mrs. Meekieg, who was often provoked at
him, because he had not mora of what is
called backbone" And when the alarm
abou, the draft commenced, and people IL
able to be drawn found they could not de-
serI the country al will, the condition OF
things, 10 use a vulgar phrase, {" knocked
him." Never before to him had the Union
seemed to be on the eve of dissolution. He
! talked much with his wife and daughters
! about it, and they, diviuing ard secretly
s laughing al his fears, advised him as 10 his
patriotic duty more strongly than ever, not
really imagining there was any probability
oil his being drafted.
! Still he declined and dismay made IA
! vorile cushion af his fat face. The evil
days had now drawn nigh, when he could
truly say be had no pleasure in them. He
| found no person 10 give him the least en-
couragemeni 10 stay out of The army, and
he could not honestly make plea OF ne
cessity for so doing.
This was an unpleasant predicameut for
man who had always felt Independent
and lived al his ease. The idea of his be
ing obliged 10 give up the comforts OF home
and 60 and be soldier, suffer privations,
and get shot The idea He, rich man
Yet how on earth could he help it, should
he be victim of the coming draft A par
seraph in a paper suggested the expedient
of physicians certificate of exemption
and lnerllus Meekleg sent hastily for DR..
Robaldo Proich.
Dr.. Protch was the family physician,
though he had not physicked them so much
as he wonld have liked TO. They were
healthy. He was man who had reason
able fondness for fat fees from the wealthy
and his fondness had been so far gratfied
that now, at the age of fifty, he was toiera-
bly, well to do He was a man who had an
unfaiiag partiaIity for shiny black broad
cloth, high dickey and white cravat, a
heavy gold chain and seals, and black
satin vest. He shaved his shrewd face all
over, except the heavy eyebrows. He was
a siocky man of two hundred, and there
was good stock in him, for he was pa,ri-
o., and would have physicked The whole
Southern Confederacy Tor nothing, il they
would have followed his prescriptions.
sSick, see said the doctor, much pleas
ed al the uneasy expression of MeekIeg's
| face sswhese do you feel pain l'
] Doctor what are your pelitics : for-