Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-08-08
A sHOwMAN,s SICK CHILD.

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From Harney's Journal slafnl
DIR. Lemoine was one of the most
courtly and affable of Paris physicians
He was once called upon by an athletic
rnddy parsonage, who certainly seemed
in no individual need of the distin.
guished doctors advice the latter, too,
in kind effort to reassure his embar-
rassed visitor, addressed him with his
usual condescension and polteness.
3" Monsieur, am the proprietor of a
menagerie," said the square should
cred man, and one of my children is
| sick--pf ftr
Exactly, my friend. ofwhat nature
is the disease?
y" He ran splinter into his thigh; it is
very ugly, Monsieur, but / am rich
enough to pay welll'' tJ5l.
very well, my man, replied the
Doctor, unable to suppress smile at the
simplicity OF his visitor, we will talk OF
that after while. Tell me explicitly
what is the matter with your child.
Monsieur, the splinter has festered
in bis thigh and he will letno one touch
it; he is hcadstrong, for all he is very
gentle. 1t will be necessary, know, to
perform slight operation; but he is
violent and headstrong about it"
Leave his violence to me. How old
| is he?" I.K .l
Four years, only. But l am afraid
he will bite or scratch you if you at
tempt to touch it, You must administer
chloroform?" 9e1snyF
Not at all. my good man. Your
child cannot be very dangerous in the
exercise Of his temper if he is only four
years old.
But he is large for his age"
mo, no; will 60 with you to see
your boy. 1t were folly to administer
chloroform in such case" %
"But, Monsieur, you do not know him
so well as |, " continued the man, impor-
tunately. II pray, | beseech you to
take the chloroform all the same, in case
you should need it.
To dispel the anxiety Of the nervous
man, DR.. Lemoine carried with him the
required anesthetic, and shortly arrived
at the house of the beast tanner. Enter
ing a room adjoining the exhibition
room, which was half kitchen and half
stable, the Doctor locked round for the
suffering patient.
Il have put him up stairs, Doctor,
where the poor fellow would be undis-
turbed by the performances. Ascend
with me, please"
They mounted a half ladder, half
staircase to kind of loft. The Doctor
having entered, the Snowman followed,
and closing the door behind him quickly
locked it. The former, turning in some
surprise at this strange proceeding of
his conductor, was saluted with low
growl from the extreme corner of the
room. He Immediately fixed his atten-
ton upon the source of this unkindly
greeting, and to his dismay deserted
full grown lion slowly approaching them,
with an unquestionably wicked and
meaning snarl upon his countenance.
The beast tanner grew pale. and when
he addressed some soothing brute Ian
guage to the animal, his voice trem bled.
The Doctor was not only CHASTITY pale,
but was covered with cold sweat
For heavens sake, Doctor, be
quick" whispered the beast tanner
hoarsely; he is ugly to-day
Still showing his white teeth, the lion
crouched in that attitude which the ply
sician had often observed the same spe-
cies assume preparatory to a spring, in
the Jardin des Plantes. He had need
then of sslfpossession, and, collecting
all his energies, he dashed the chloro-
form which he held in the animals face.
The latter recoiled, aud second after
began to droop under the effects of the
drug. This permitted a still further ad-
ministration of it, till he was finally
stretched powerless before them. The
operation required was then made upon
the wound, and the proper restoratiyes
applied. llLlirl l4 f...
Neither doctor nor Snowman spoke a
word until they had descended the steps
and stood safely in the room below, 4
Monsieur" said the Snowman, "you
have saved, by your powerful presence
of mind, life whose value is incalcula-
BILE to me. Permit me to offer you my
grateful thanks and to give you your
fee." And he handed the other hun
dred franc note.
Thank you, Monsieur Dompeteur,"
replied the physician, receiving the sat
islactory lee, when you again have
need of my services tor . SIMILAR case l
pray you"
IL will certainly call you in.
No, no; that is not what | intended
to say-prsy summon some other men,
Der Of the profession.