The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1872-08-28
A Showman's Sick Child.

Doctor Lemoni was one of the most
courtly and affable of Paris physicians.
He was once called upon by an athlet-
ic, ruddy parsonage, who certainly
seemd in no individual need Of the
distinguished doctors advice; the lat
ter, too, in kind effort 70 reassure the
embarrassed visitor, addressed him with
his usual politeness and condescen-
sion.
Monsieur, 1 am the proprietor of
menagerie, said the square shoulder
ed man, "and one Of my children is
| sick"
Exactly, my friend. OF what ma
ture is the disease ?"
"He ran a splinter into his thigh /;
it is very ugly monsieur, but | am rich
enough to pay we'll"
"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 is festered
in his thigh, and he will not let any
one touch it; he is headstrong, for all
he is very gentle. 1t will be necessary,
l know, to perform a slight operation /;
but he is violent and headstrong about
it"
leave his violence to me. How
old is he?"
"Four years only. But l am afraid
he will bite or scratch you if you at
tempt to touch it. You must admin
lister chloroform."
"Not at all, my good man. Your
child cannot be very dangerous on the
exercise of his temper if he is only
four years old"
"But he is large for his age"
"No; l will 60 with you to see your
boy. 1t were folly to administer chic.
roform in such case"
"But, monsieur, you do not know
him so we'll as l, continued the man,
importunately. 81 pray, l beseech
you to take the chloroform all the
same, in case you should need it."
TO dispel the anxiety of the nervous
man, Doctor Lemoni carried with him
the required aneethetic, and shortly
arrived at the house Of the beast tanner
81 have put him up stairs, doctor,
where the poor fellow would be un-
disturbed. Ascend with me, please" "
They mounted to q kind of loft.
The doctor having entered, the show
man followed and closing the door be.
hind him, quickly locked it. The
former, turning in some surprise, de-
scried full grown lion slowly APP
preaching them, with an unquestion,
ably wicked and menancing snarl.
The beast-tamer grew pale; and
when he addressed some soothing
brute language to the animal, his voice
trembled The doctor became ghastly
pale and covered with a cold sweat.
"For heavens sake, doctor, be
quick !" whispered the beast tanner,
hoarsely; che is ugly to-day"
lion crouched in the attitude prepare
tory to a spring. He dashed the chic.
roform which he held in the animals
face. The latter recoiled and began
to droop under the effects of the drug.
This permitted still further admins
tration of it, till he was finally stretch
ed powerless before them. The opera
tion required was then made upon the
wound, and the proper restoratives ap-
piled.
Neither the doctor nor Snowman,
spoke word until they had descended
the steps.
Monsieur" said the Snowman, ,"you
have saved, by your wonderful pres
ence Of mind, life whose value is in
calculable to me. Permit me to offer
you my grateful thanks and to give
you your fee." And he handed the
other a hundred franc note.
"Thank you, Monsieur Domteur,
replied the physician, land when you
have need of services for a similar case,
pray you"
81 will certainly call you in"
"No, no, that is not what | intend
ed-pray summon some other doctor. "