The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1874-09-16
No. 81.
BUYING 4 Practice.

physician, and if his knowledge OF
medicine was equal to his knOwl- |
edge Of art, he was q very good
physician. he was younger then
than he is now, and he is not old. |
and be was greener-greener than
any spring foliage ne ever painted,
and spring foliage, by the way, is
a specially Of his. City born and
bred, he made Il short trip into
the country, and: while there,
heard incidentally of a country
doctor who wished to sell his prac-
tice. He was hesitating, was our
young friend, about his final choice
of a profession, having failed to
procure any but poor patients.
who could not pay, and having
also failed to paint any but poor
pictures which would not sell. 1t
was an even thing with him wheth-
er he became starving artist,
or remained a starving physician.
He was earning no money as
either, nor was he likely to in the
city. Why not try the country ?
Its inhabitants were honest and
supplemented, be had somewhere
read, and what, with the heat Of
the sun, and other novel peculiari-
ties, the world he thought more liza
bic to sickness than the denizens Of
a crowded city. Certainly the chill
dren were, for were they not
perpetually eating green fruit p
Yes, he would try the country, if,
after looking into the practice
that was to be disposed of, he
could see living in it. He call
ed upon the disposing practitioner,
who was but little older than
himself, an atfable, good natured
young fellow, though rather ver-
dant, he thought. The verdant
one was willing TO "vamoose the
rancho" as he remarked, flor, be-
tween ourselves, there is a lady in
California who is attached to me,
though you wouldn't think it per-
haps." "But about your practice. "
Il won't say anything about it.
But tomorrow, if you like, say to-
morrow forenoon, III harness up,
and you can see for yourself. 1t
is not sickly now, / must tell you,
but it's going to be soon, especial
ly among children and old folks.
Men like you and l might live for
ever here though they have no such
men. Plenty Of money though.
My horse remembers the house Of
every patient in the neighborhood,
and stops of himself at their doors.
| You can jot down the number as
we jog along, and decide whether
you you'll buy me out or no. And
now suppose We adjourn to the
tavern-you are stopping there
and have something cool. I'm
thirsty, and want to smoke
Mustn't smoke in my Office you
know. Here's cigar you can
smoke. Try it." They adjourn
ed to the tavern, had some
thing cool, smoked, and came to
an agreement regarding the sum
to be paid for the practice, past,
present, and future, especially the
future. The next forenoon the
pair drove through the town, OF
rather the country doctor did
and was a considerable time about
it, so often did the noble anima
that drew the buggy stop. "Why
Doctor, nearly every person il
! the town has been under your
hands," remarked our delighted
cit, keeping a mental tally Of tho
stoppages. "Yes, suppose so
at one time or another. Get up
1t was a constant "get up" to the
horse, who appeared to remember
} his muster's practice better thar
his master did.
1t was purchased at once fol
a good round sum in cash, a2c
that very afternoon the retired
practitioner proceeded to the sta
ton, accompanied by two or three
acquaintances who were enjoying
: something hugely. "Best thing
out" said one. "Bcats ALL" re
piled another ; sch, Doc?" ITO
lo!!" he answered cooIly. The
train stopped, took him on, ant
went screaming on with its pre-
cious freight-that affable, good
natured, verdant young person
who was going to California, wher'
he had a tender attachment.
:, Days passed, and no patients
More days passed, and still no pa
} iients. What did it mean? Mean
l. meant that there were no prac
!, tice there! The country N. I
had borrowed the horse Of th
milkman That's all.
"Only this, and nothing more.
~ Men who are confined in thei
- thoughts and affections to the nal