Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1864-06-02
MISCELLANEOUS.
A PHYSICIANS STORY.
Df EMERSON BENNETT.

l had been some three years engaged
in the practice of medicine, in one of our
largest cities, before | met with any scri-
Gus adventure. One night, as was re-
turning home, through lonely, little
frequentcd part Of the city, at a late hour.
from patient / had been with since noon
of that day, and whom / was now per-
mitted to leave by reason of favorable
change, was suddenly stopped in a
dark, gloomy, out-of-the- way spot, by a
big. gruff, coarsely dressed man:
You are u doctor Z he both announced
and inquired in the same words.
i am
L want you to come with me then y he
said, in tone that Indicated the matter
was already settled in his mind, however
it might be in mine.
L cannot tonight 7 answered, with
positive emphasis; Il am all wearied out,
and anxious TO get home
Yes, you doctors are always wraried
out when poor man calls youn said the
fellow with o threatening growl; but
only let somc--snob's wifes poodlc-dog
need looking to, and you find your way
there at aihy hour of the day or night
Well, | am no snob, thank Heaven " and
I've got money enough tdIiLS your fee
I've tried half-a-dozen doctors already,
and none of them will comc-and so, you
see, can't let you off,
But really
See here, Doctor interrupted the fell
low, producing knife. and flashing the
blade by quick flourish, before my eyes,
I'm desperate man, and might be push
cd 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 life is worth
to you, and | know how much another $
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 you"
1t was an open space where we stood
about halfway between blocks of new
buildings, that were not yet tenantcd.-
| looked up and down the dark street, but
not soul was in sight.
Where do you wish me to go?' in
quired.
oh, down here a piece jerking his
thumb over his shoulder, come on, before
it too late.'
He passed his arm through mine, with
out 50 much as by your leave, and be-
gan to move away, of course, taking me
with him.
Is your friend male orfemale 2 / in
quired, pretending to feel perfectly at my
ease, though would have given a years
practice to have been safe at home.
. She's a woman
l brcathed more frec-for somehow
always experienced degree of security
among the opposite sex, even among the
most depraved and abandoned
What is the matter with her ? and how
long has. she been i'll 2 questioned
About three or four hours ago she
gave birth to a child that didn't live moren
minute, and since then she's been havin'
fits,' was the reply.
WAS there no physician with her when
the child was born. asked
NO, I 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 2
inquired the man in a husky tone
i cannot say, of course-but l will
oh, do . do ana nessvn Will pIess
you for it :. he rejoined in tone that ex-
pressed 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
football of fortune and had not received
his deserts.
Is this woman your wife 2 ! kindly
inquired.
l believe he heard me; but as he did
rot answer, ! concluded not to repeat the
question.
We soon turned into some small, mean,
dark, narrow streets. where none but the
poorer class lived. We now walked for
ward in silence-the man who still had
hold of my arm, as if he were afraid /
might otherwise give. him the slip, taking
long, rapid strides, and causing me no
little exertion to keep step with him.
AT length he turned into dark court,
where could see nothing but few dingy
buildings on either hand; apd l thought,
if his object was to rob me, I was COM
pletely in his power. At the far end Of
this court be stopped. opened door, and
led me up fight Of creaking stairs,
where could see nothing at all Atthc
top Of these stairs VIC groped our way for
ward few feet. and then he opened the
door into the room of the patient. The
apartment was small and plainly furnish
ed. with lamp standing on alittle table
not fat from the bed. An old woman,