Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1874-10-17

. nally assumed the shape of a man
who, as he pulled of his heavy coat
disclosed to the crowd the well
known features OF the only docto
on Rabbit Greek.
a run of salutations greeted hin
from all sides, for DIR. Holmes was
man respected by old and young
He had a pale, refined face. will
the sharpest of grey eyes looking
out from jet-black eyebrows, anC
people said, when the doctor go
riled, those grey eyes snapped anC
/ gIared, giving the person who me
his displeasure some insight int
he character of the man they had Il
deal with.
After the doctor said, Chow arr
YOU boys" he turned to Mckenzie
and called for a drink, when his eye
caught sight of the tall figure by the
stove, and then came:
"Why, Jake Morse, how are you z
The same low, sweet voice an
swered: First rate, Doc, how are
you? Come get near the stove and
put some warmth into your bones
Who is sick in town? It's a bad
! night for even a doctor to be out"
The doctor made his way 20 the
stave. and as he did so said:
"Weli, l will tell you something
that will surprise you and everyone
in Rabbit Creek"
The crowd which had been scat
tered in different parts of the large
room, engaged in PLAYING cards or
talking over the last news from
Frisco, gathered round the doctor
or neglected their occupation, to
hear what he had to say, for a sur
prise at Rabbit Greek was q novelty.
Mckenzie handed the doctor his
drink, and as he stood with the
steaming glass in his hand, he said,
in low voice:
"Nancy Jones has got a baby"
For a moment everything was
quiet as the graye-the only sound
was the click, click, of the spoon as
contents of the glass. 1t was only
for moment, and then up jumped
Pat Moran, a little red-whiskered
Irishman, who had face in which
humor and good nature were the
chief characteristics, and noted as
the noisiest and smallest man III the
camp. Getting on one of the many
tables he, in a loud voice, called for
'Three cheers for Nancy Jones' ba-
bv."
Then, as If every man life de-
pended on it, they one and all gave
three such cheers as would have
frightened a civilized being out of
his wits. Then followed a scene of
confusion. All manner ofquestions
were poured out upon the poor doc
tor. "What is it--a boy or q girl ?"
and Pat Moran says. "If ii is q boy,
docther, darlint, call him after me-"
The doctor stated that it was a girl,
and very fine one. At this inform
alton, Pat Moran expressed his dis
gust to the effect that che had the
diviPs own luck" and that ''he
should niver rest quiet in his grave
till he stud godfather to a baby,
for sure it's next to being the father
of one"
Then followed propositions to
drink the health of mother and
child, which were checked by the
doctor, who, after continued efforts,
made himself heard. Pat Moran,
equal to the occasion, took the top
of his favOrite table, and yelled:
"Whist! We divils an sure the
Doc wishes to address yees on the
topic of the day"
Then DR. Holmes said:
Boys, / am sorry to destroy all
your pleasure, but l have seen that
tonight, down at the 'LOg-house,'
which has made me, doctor as | am,
Il -
shed tears. It's with great pain l
tell you that Nancy Jones and her
baby must both die"
AS the doctor said this, a low hum
passed around the room, and one
could see the gruff and rugged faces
of those men change color and grow
pale, while their hands clenched to-
gether to prevent the feelings they
wished TO conceal.
Then Jake Morse said, in low
voice:
"Doc, what's the matterI Can't
you save one of them can we do
any thing? l don't think there is q
man in the room but would risk his
life to do the poor woman aud her
child service"
And from many bearded mouth
came words which if not elegant,
were forcible, of their will to do all
and everything to save the mother
and her child.
The doctor looked around a mo-
ment and then said:
"Boys, you know as well as /,
that Nancy Jones is what is called
a fallen wOman-that she is beyond
the pale of respectability but you
will not contradict me when say
that If one of you were sick and
needed some one to watch by your
bed, she would be the first to offer
her services. You all remember
when Bill Childs lay dying at Saw
pit Flat, how she nursed him for
weeks, and when death at last came,
she closed his eyes and wrote to his
friends, telling of poor Bills fate"
"You bet she did," came from
many a month. Morse stood by the
bar, Not a feature moved. His
hand trembled where it rested, but
his voice came low and calm as he
said:
"DOc, can we do anything to as
sist you ?" n
81 will tell you. boys" said tbe
doctor, "the poor woman is worn
out with suffering, and her child
lies dying by her side, and the moth
er is unable to nOurish it. If there
is one of you who dare for their
sakes to go to Port Wine and get
some milk, we may save the life of
Nancy Jones' baby"
Morse said at once:
II viii go, Doc; and if I fail and
Nancy lives. tell her that Jake
Morse risked his life to save her
child"
Turning to one of the men he
said,
Charlie, win you lend me your
snOw-shOes." ="
In a moment all was confusion !;
the men rushed about as if mad.
Mckenzie busted himself putting
up a flask of his favOrite brandy, for
use should Morse require it.
The arrangements were complet-
ed, and oat into tile streets went
the crowd. The houses were white
with snow; the wind came tearing
down the hill, dashing the falling
! flakes into their faces, cutting and
binding them. Morse strapped on
the huge shoes, then stood erect
saying:
boys, if a don't get back, send
my things 10 my mother; Mckenzie
knows he address; and, here goes,
and at the word OF he went into
the night like a flash only for an
instant was he seen, then was lost
to sight.
Brave heart! God in his good
ness will not fail to watch your
path. His eye is on you; so breast
on and fear not.
! The men went back 10 the saloon,
glad TO return TO its shelter and
warmth. Their glasses were refill
! "A .r,A c:lnr,t Ma .-ar-s ..-o.-c .,EE.,,--.i