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
ana upon the nouse.tops-,couM be a
very nicg way to commence my Christ
mas story. But as 6ction must have u
colorius of truth, it would be absurd OF
me to utter so false statement as the
above-at least as far rs our town is
concerned. We have seen very little OF
the article for some time past, aud then
only i'll diluted form, which would d OF
be pleasaot TO introduce into story. 1t
woul! seem as if old King Christmas
bad sold large quantity to theater
nc'nagers. aud had but small pile lett
which he must use economically How.
ever, this subject of the SHOW is open to
discussion Meanwhile, shall 20 on
to state that on last Christmas day it
fell to my lot to be on do,yat the North
east Dispensary, in the good Old tow of
L. l was then Surgeon TO that
institution, having two NOSE agreeable
gentlemen us my colicaSuesg esgSChristm
morning! The sky was blue, the sun was
bright, air was keen, the gound was
hardin fact, the weather was bcauti-
ful for the time of year.
S just the morning cried Dobbs, .for
"a nice long walk, which will brace us
up, and give us an appetite for the goose
on Jack DOSES table" o
Yes said Bury shah, throwing hi m
self into a military attitude, to,whSh he
was partial, and putting up his rimIess
eyeglass to look at}mej eaad1 hope Alf
Adams won't have too much work while
we are away = " 3Al s.
ALI Adams, the readers humble SER
want, smiled . smile seldom to be observ-
ed. Silently he watched his comppu.
ions mufle 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
aqe making merry not quite half mile
from me, aud dare not go to see them !
No surgeon could be got for love or mpn-
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 dinner.
So had invited Jack Byrden 10 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
| sat down to my solitary meal, railing
at the whole world, and particularly at
that smart young man, Jack Bayden, |
believe was very ill-tempered over my
dinner. The turkey was pretty good
but the servant had look on her face
If pity for me and satisfaction for her
self as to the good things in the kitchen
therefore concluded she had been
drinking. ..
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, L ask any
one, had that girl any right to act thus
to me, when she knew very welSthat |
was IA perfect teetotaller? Her reason
was found out atterwards-I blamed the
poor girl for half glass--when in
three dajs bill Tor 81 glasses was pre-
sented from II neighboring public h ouse
Of course the servant declared sbe had
put all the brandy on the pudding,
which was about the SIZE o.! nv 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 L don't
drink l began gazing abstractedly at