Bloomsburg democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1867-1869, 1867-07-31


ermit. he was installed as honarary ply.
ician to his cxcellency's family, and soon
,btaincd such reputation, both as ply
ician and surgeon, that private practice
ame to him without his seeking it. His
,ueer ways and irritable temper rather in.
reascd than diminished his prestige, and he
| leld his own through good report and evil
cpOrt.
When first called in to patient, he
| would have the room cleared of everything
| previously described, and would almost ava.
'iably order, as preface to his course Of
,reatment, bath Of Cape wine! Happen
| what might, he claimed the whole credit ol
. cure, or blamed others for failure. lie
vas, to be sure, sent for at times as last
resource. If the patient recovered, DR..
lanes had all the merit; if death cnsued,
Doctor James had unfortunately been sum-
noncd when the case was hopeless"
His Excelency spoiled him. lie became
kind Of tame imp, encouraged as amusing
and harmless enough; but, like such imps,
ne took advantage one day Of his position,
| and was 'impertinent. lie had the entree
Of the governors private cabinet. One
morning sauntering in, he had the assur,
ancc to make some querulous remarks on
IN official document lying on the table.
Finally, he worked himself into such an
,iFensive pet, that his Exccllency resolved
to give him lesson so, snatching the little
fellow up by the collar OF his uniform, he
swung him over the window-sill-a few feet
above the grassy garden-and shook him.
James screechcd and cried pcccav. lie
was forgiven, and never offended there in
the same way again. Still, every ono was
| persuaded that such unwarrantable humors
a. he exhibited, were only tolerated by
reason o. certain influences that remain a
mystery to this day. Ills next adventure
might have ended his career. The story
from Government House got bruited abroad
| and much fun was raised at DR.. James ex-
pense. Some laughed about it, in such u
way as that James could not but be aware
If the fact. lie had been looking out for a
chance Of checking the saucincss of some OF
he young fellows in the garrison, and here
was the chance at last. One morning, tall
cornct, whose contcmptuous manner had
much irritated him, was sauntering along
under the trees ef ef Il cfharming walk, in one
of the most public parts of Cape Town
where, to this day, the people are wont to
sit upon the stoops, non smoking, women
knitting, and grave little Dutch children
todding up and down-when James strut
ted Up to the young dragoon member Of
the governors staff. James stopped the
way with a defiant air. Some ill.condition-
ed person had made the most Of cornet 5
disparaging tests. James was glad of this
opportunity of asserting himself. High
words ensued, the doctor shrill voice pierc.
ing the air, and thus drawing attention LAS
he intended it shouldl to the encounter,
which ended in challenge Next morning
quiet little due!took place. Itondcd well.
Hands We're shaken, and cornot. and doctor
! became good friends for life. If the affail
came to the cars of the governor, he
thought it bost to ignore it, according to the
fashion Of the day.
Doctor James afforded a good illustra-
ton of the triumph of mind over matter.
Tetchy as he was, lie never excited any pro-
ftssional jealousy, albeit, in defiance Of all
precedent, he was promoted on the staff as
full surgeon without doing a day s regimen
tai duty. Frail in body, unique in appear
ancc, and eccentric in manner, he insured
respect by his capacity; and, he could be
corteous when he pleased, his oddities were
excused by his colleagues. He must have
realized at this period considerable sums by
his private practice, but he never changed
his mode of living. He kept black sor-
want, and serviceable pony, and small dog
called Psyche. Most Of Psyches success
ors bore her name. This queer quartettc
usually took their walks abroad in company,
and were well known group at Cape Town.
On Doctor James return to England he
was offered an appointment at another CO.
lonal station. Here, owing to the climate
or possibly to non-appreciation, he grew
discontented, and, without making any Off
cial application for leave of absence, on plea
Of sickness Or urgent private affairs took
his departure for England.
lie would chuckle as he related the story
of his unlooked-ior re-appearance before the
DIRECTOR general of the medical department
in London. "Sir," said tho doctor, II do
not understand your reporting yourself in
this fashion. You admit you have return
ed without leave of absence. May | ask
how this is p
"Well," said James, coolly running his
long white fingers through his crisp sandy
curls, 81 have come home to have my h air
cut"
lie more than once defed the rules Of
the service with impunity, and invariably
boasted that he could have his choice OF
quarters And he had. lie was counted a
lucky fellow, but who he was, or what he
was never ceased to be question Of debate
among his brethren less fortunate than he.
T.