The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1872-04-06
A Night in a D;spensary.

The snow lay thickly over the ground
and upon the house-tops-,could be a
very me- way TO commence my Ihrist
mas story. But as 6ction must have Il
coloriug of truth, it would be absurd OF
me to utter so false statement as the
above-at least as far as our town is
CONCERNED. We have seen very little Of
the article for some time past, and then
only iii diluted form, which would not
be pleasant to introduce into story. 1t
would seem as if old King Christmas
had sold large quantity to theater
m'nogers. and had but a small pile lett
which he must use economically How
ever, this subject of the saow is open to
discussion. Meanwhile, shall 20 on
to state that on last Christmas day it
fell to my lot to be on dutySat the North
east Dispensary, in the good Old tow of
Il. l was then surgeon 10 that
institution, having two nnpse agreeable
gentlemen as my colleaguesRLSChristmas
morning The sky was blue, the sun was
bright, air was keen, the gound was
hardin fact, the weather was bcauti
full for the time of year.
just the morning. cried Dobbs, for
"a nice long walk, which will brace us
up, and give us en appetite for the goose
on Jack Doose's table" -
Yes said Buryhahh, throwing hi m
self intOa m ilitary attitude, to1ShGh he
was partial, and putting up his rimless
eyeglass TO look at mes ea6d.I hope Alf
Adams won't have too much work while
we are away. iA " 96L ~
ALI Adams, the readers humble SER
want, smiled q smile seldom to be observ-
ed. Silently he watched his comppu-
ions muffle themselves in overcoats of
alarming dimensions, and being ready,
disappear for the remainder Of the day
and evening. I.stood~ at the~.window,
watching the stream of human beings
gaily trooping along. The bells of the
various churches pealed forth: but their
merry music, instead of making my he rt
full of joy, only drove me half wild to
think [ was fastened mp in that gloomy
place, while my own family were living
aqd making merry not quite half mile
from me, and dare not go to see them !
No surgeon could be got for love or MON
ey to take my place for half IN hour.
One thing might have enlivencd the
hours: had present of a turkey, sent
me from the Green Isle, which, with a
small plum pudding, was to be my dnner.
So | had invited Jack Byrden TO help
me to eat it, But. alas! my bosom friend
and school fellow could not muster cour-
age to enter my den on such day So
l sat down to my solitary meal, railing
at the whole world, and particularly at
that smart young man, Jack Bayden, l
believe | was very ill-tempcred over my
dinner. The turkey was pretty good
but the servant had look on her face
of pity for me and satisfaction for her.
self as to the good things in the kitchen
[ therefore concluded she had been
drinking. a..
The pudding was brought in, but
what was my horror to find it smelt of
brandy! Fully half glass of brandy
mad been put upon it! Now, ask any
one, had that girl any right to act thus
to me, when she knew very well'that
was perfect leetotaller? Her reason
was found out atterwards-I blamed the
poor girl for half glass--when in
three days a bill tor 81 glasses was pre-.
sented from neighboring public house
Of course the servant declared abe bad
put all the brandy on the pudding
which was about the size of my TWO
fists and | assure you, ladies', they are
but small. After my lonely dinner /
drew the large arm chair to the fire,
which | stirred into blaze, and light.
ing my pipe (for l smoke, if 1 don't
driuk) l began gazing abstractodly at