Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1864-01-06
TALES G. SKETCHES
THE PHYSICIANS STORY.

had been some years engaged in the
practice OF medicine, in one Of our largest
cities, before | met with any serious ad-
venture. One night was returning home,
through lonely, little frequented part of
the city, at late hour, from patient
had been with since noon of that day, and
whom | was now permitted to leave by rea-
son of favorable change, [ was suddenly
stopped in dark, gloomy, outof- the-way
spot, by big, gruf, coarsely dressed man.
You're doetor be both announced
and inquired in the same words.
Il am
& want you to come with me, then. he
said, in a tone that indicated the matter
was already settled in his mind, however it
might be in mine.
4 cannot go tonight answered, with
positive emphasis. Il am all wearied out,
and anxious to get home
yes, you doctors are always wearied out
when a poor man calls you p said the fel-
low, with a threatening growl; 'hut only
let some - snob's wife's poodle-dog need
looking to, and you find your way there at
any hour of the day or night Well, I'm
no snob, thank Heaven and I've got mon
ey enough to pay your fee. I've tried half
dozen doctors already, and none of them
will come-and so, you see can not let
you off,
But, really--'
See here, DOCTOR interrupted the fel-
low, producing a knife and flashing the
blade by quick flourish before my eyes,
I'm desperate man, and might be pushed
to do wicked deed. Every man sets
certain value on his own life, and also on
the life of his best and dearest friend
You know how much your lfe's worth to
you; and | know how much another's life
is worth to me; and, fore Heaven, swear,
if you attempt to go and leave my friend.
to die, I'll put this knife into youn
1t was an open space where we stood,
about half way between two blocks of new
buildings that were not yet tenanted.
looked up aud down the dark street, but
not soul was in sight.
'Where do you wish me to go?' 1 in
quired.
'Oh, down here a piece jerking his
thumb over his shoulder. Come on, be-
fore it's too latep
He passed his arm through mine, without
so much as BY your leave and began to
move away, of course taking me with
him.
is your friend male or female?' I in
quired, pretending to feel perfectly at my
ease, though | would have given years
practice to have been safe at home.
She's woman
| breathed freer-for somehow I always
experienced degree of security among the
opposite sex, even among the depraved and
abandoned.
what is the matter with her. and how
long has she been iIl?' I questioned.
About three or four hours ago she gave
birth to child that didn't live more'n
minute, and since then she's been having
fits was the reply
'Was there no physician with her when
the child was born! | inquired
NO, | couldn't get one to her for love or
money. An old woman, neighbor, came
in and did what she could Do you think
as how you can save her, Doctor inquired
the man, in husky tone.
Il cannot say, of course-but I will
promise to do the best | can
90, do! do do and Heaven will bless
you for it y he rejoined, in a tone that
expressed more deep and earnest feeling
than [ had supposed was in his nature
| began to be interested; the man might
be better than had thought; some poor
fellow, perhaps, who had been the foot ball
of fortune, and had not received his de-
serts.
rs this woman your wife?' I kindly iu-
quired.
/ believe he heard me; but as be did not
answer, l decided not to repeat the ques
ton.