The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1874-10-15
THE DOCTORS FEE.

THE DOCTORS FEE.
What a vast difference between n sim
pie country village and the crowded
city "a difference not only in tile
structure OF buildings and the width OF
streets, but IN the manners and customs
and even in the thoughts and feelings
OF its inhabitants.
We do not pretend TO Judge where the
greatest degree of happiness NAV be
found. Perhaps not in one more than
in another, for happiness is not con.
fined to place, and is less dependent
upon external than upon internal asso-
citation.
But it would sometimes seem as if
there were more of sympathy with the
fellow beings around him, in the unDre-
tending villager, than in the busy citi-
zen. True. this benevolent interest in
the concerns of others may at times he
come annoying by its pryinQ inouisi-
tiveness, but the heart Graves sympathy.
and even this is preferable to the fash
ionable indifference and total Ignorance
Of neighbor and neighbor.
What a sensation is caused By a birth
or death, wedding or funeral in
the little world of n country village. All
seem to participate in the Joy or the
sorrow. To find person ignorant of
the event, would be a source of exceed
ing surprise and wonder. News spreads
like wildtire. Tie very birds of the air
seem to carry tidings. s-L'rA
Sam Brown, an intelligent, active
little fellow, well known IN the village
Of F., has been seen to run at full
speed from the machine shop to the
doctors Office; apparently not finding
that worthy at his post, darts across
the way to a house. where some new
fang,ed practitioner had lately hung out
his sign, and, in a moment, with the
last mentioned parsonage at his side,
takes his way TO the shop again. This
is enough. Every one IN that part of
the village knows that some sad acci-
dent has happened, and curiosity and
sympathizing interest are expressed on
every countenance.
Good Mrs. Walton, as she peeps
from her door, is "thanBful to provi-
dence that none of her folks work at the
shop" and ''hopes to goodness" that
it is not the engineer, "poor Mr.. Whit
man. b cause ne has such large fam
lily dependent upon him. I'LL.
Anxious wives and mothers, who are
le fortunate than Mrs. Walton, and
have husbands and sons exposed to the
danger, whatever it maybe, areseen hast
ily approaching in different directions,
wishing to put an end to suspense, and
know the worst at once.
All IL soon told. In spite of Mrs.
Walton's hopes it is indeed poor Mr..
Whitman who has met with the acci-
dent, and a serious one 1T is hkely-to
prove, for his right arm has been ~ tan
gled in the machinery and Is shockingly
mangled.
WI a Al, ,,,5 ,r,,.~,.r- -; FaIt H.,
ali, when tho unfortunate man is car
ried nearly insensible from the shop to
his own home, which fortunately is
near by. There is no lack of assistance.
Men, women and. children stand ready.
Every one is DESTROYS to do something.
But there is one source of almost uni
versal regret. Good old DR.. Pembroke,
the experienced physician who for
long series of years has been the only
one to look to in an emergency of this
kind being, in fact, the only medical
man in the village and of course re-
garded as an oracle, has, as it were,
been defrauded of his proper rights by
this young DIR. Lansing, new conner,
whom nobody knows. and who for some
unheard of reason (for surely he was
not wanted in place where DIR. Penn
broke had ruled supreme for nearly half
in the pleasant little village of F..
The young man certainly had much
to contend with, for. with the exception
of few enlightened minds who had
glimmering perception that the science
of medicine might ia the lapse of years
have left the old doctor in the rear, he
was universally regarded as a very IN
necessary interloper.
And now to think of his having the
charge of Door Mr.. Whitman. Surely
If he was aEy gentleman he would not
take advantage of thefamily physicians
having been absent ut the time of the
accident, but would politely resign the
case into his hands. ....-.--ar
This was the opinion OF the good
wives of the village, and publicly and
privately was it expressed Il
DIR. Lansing might have heard II, at
any rate he must have felt il, but it ap-
pesred to make little differepee} IN hls
proceedings. He was unremlttng IN
his attentions to the injured man, and
so established himself IN the good
grsces of him and his wife, that they
were quite deaf to the remonstranees OF
their benevolent neighbors who earnest
y desired that they should dismiss him
at once.
The arm is certainly doing better
than we could have expected why
then should we dismiss the doctor
asked the sufferer, as deputation, OF
the village worthless appeared at ms
bedside, and again began their remon-
strances. ..- i
WHY. vou see, neighbor, the case is
this" commenced Philip Benton, who
was to be chief spokesman on the occa
sion. (Philip Benton had received some
early advantages of education and was
regarded as having a "power OF learn
ng.') You are a poor men, ana,
having met with g severe accident, en-
dangerinV life and limb, or may justly
say, iniuring limb if not life, your
neighbors holding you in high estima-
tion, are willing to lend you a helping
hand, for which purpose asubscpPtlo9
was set on foot, and quite sum ralseo
for your relief. Now this money we OF
course wish to be expended tor the
benefit of yourself. and your family, but
We do not feel willing that a large por-
ton of it should be paid to this smart
young Doctor" II
''Now if it were good DR.. Pembroke,
the case would be different" chimed IN
Isaac Dobbs, the miller g sc should
not mind paying him moderate bill,
andIndeed he would have charged you
little or nothing, and everything would
have been properly attended to. I have
It from his own lips. He feels greatly
for you, neighbor Whitman, and regrets
that you were thrown into ignorant
handa- In-his opinion the limb should
have been amputated at once.
Thank God that DIR. Lansing diff
fered from him." exclaimed the sick
man, with an energy which startled
them. Then speaking more calmly, he
added: E-
"I am very grateful for your kind
ness, nvighbOrs, and with my large
family, there is indeed need of assist
ance. As to turning of the young
doctor, cannot see my way clear to do
it, because he has done and is doing
well with me. In all probability he will