The Grange advance., 1874-09-30
DOCTOR WOODS PATIENT.

who. had just begun to write NJ. D. af-
ter his name, should desert the village
of his nativity, and settle down in the
very shadow Of the Ozark mountains,
in ''bleeding Kansas
But no doubt the newly fledged dis
ciple of Escularius knew what he was
doing, for he laughed at the arguments
Of his friends, and jocularly told them
that he was going to Kansas to see if
doctor s scalps were worth more than
others.
He reached his destination safely and
ono morning the wild inhabitants of
Dead.man's Gulch were astonished to
hehold little tin sign, which informed
them that Calf. Wood, Physician and
Surgeon, was dependent upon their
ailments and accidents for livelihood.
"He's run afoul O. the wrong place."
said great gray-shirtcd fellow, who
did not know what an ache was. ''Peo.
pie don't get the fever here; and they
all die with their boots on, and that
afore doctor could reach 'em. He'd
better pack his traps and go back to
civilization, he had.'
ssAfore them devils up in the noun
tains get their claws on i'm. He's Just
the incest pigeon in the world for 'em
to pluck" ="
Il say, boys, let's take a peep at
this-pill-seller and bone-sawyer, 'chimcd
in third fellow, who might appropri.
ately be called border ruffan. EsHcre
hello, doctor!''
His coarse voice penetrated a little
room in the uncouth hotel, and pres
emily the young physician stood among
the desperadoes. He met their gaze
with calm eye and unblanched cheek,
and invited them to the bar in Ian
guage which gained him many friends.
A number accepted the invitation,
and rushed pell-mcll into the dingy bar.
but few held back, and glared spite
fully at the doctor.
''Come in, gentlemen said the youth
advancing toward the dark.featured fel-
lows who occupied the wooden stoop.
''This is my treat, and : will see you
tilt the glasses. ~
''We don't drink with one-horse doc
tors," great Hercules shot at him
from beneath red mustache. you've
got no business in this kcntry; We don't
want you herc.'
The doctor colored at this onslaught,
and instantly all eyes were turned upon
him.
"Perhaps I am not wanted here" he
said, with rising Indignation; "but I'm
not going to leave until I choose. Sir,
Twill inform men of your stripe, right
here, that I will not submit to brow
beating with ]smb-like docility.''
A murmur Of applause ran through
the crowd At this, and the giant stepped
toward the youth, who quietly drew
revolver.
''Stand back, gentlemen" addressing
those who had followed him to the bar,
and appeared his friends. II am aversc
to the shedding of blood, but,' raising
the formidable weapon, "thc first man
who advances another step towards me,
gets the contents Of this pistol.'
Instantly the red whiskcrcd fellow
paused, and then broke into q coarse
laugh in which all in the bar-room
joined.
''Doc, you're grit!:' he cried, ap-
preaching our hero, and extending his
horny hand. "You'll get along bully
with us-l'll stake my scalp on that.
We wor trying you, Doc, trying you,
that's ALL
The youth saw that the giant spoke
the truth, and the next moment his
white hand was almost crushed in
great palm. Then the clinking of
glasses followed, and among the 'swild
men of Kansas" the physician was the
hero of the hour.
In short time the physician had
erected a neat cabin, over the door of
which he displayed his sign, and waited
for a patient. He discovered that he
had settled in an extremely healthy
country. but one as extremely lawless.
The acknowledged border ruffians of
early Kansas were experts with the re-
volver, and when they shot it was to
kill, and kill they invariably did. Once
or twice the doctor was called to dress
wounds received in an affray, which,
however bloody, caused no excitement
in Dead-mans Gulch, and he began to
think of seeking another locality where
disease. was a frequent visitor, when
the adventure Of his life occurred.
One evening he was suddenly sum-
moned, surgical instruments and all, to
the hotel, to attend man who had
just been wounded by desperate.
She's a likely young fellow said
the messenger, "and Rob shot him
down without mercy. He don't live
hyar, but comes down occasionally
lookin' after some gal, I b'lieve.''
The crowd in the bar.room drew back
as the doctor entered, and he. saw a
figure stretched out on the counter.
He's got to pass in his checks this
time, Doc" said = man who leaned
Aver tho har tsIust onan his iacket