Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-07-22
DR.. John.


thought inc tuluE1 us ihtutI uld Mtit JUST ]
the right things to do.
But johnny was tired Of waiting to be a
man. lie had waited so long--a whole
week. in fact for it was q week before the
morning Of which am writing that Johnny
had come TO the conclusion and had climbed |
upon his fathers knee and told him his plan. |
lie didn't sec as he was any nearer being
man for all this time, and johnny was
discouraged He went trudging along to
his fathers office, all bundled up in his
tppet, his warm mittens and his little fur
cap, but he wasn't happy partice-al-
though he was dragging a pretty, red sled
after him, and had twenty-five cents in his
pocket, jack-knile, and lots Of other things.
lie was so tired Of being called Johnny"
and eating peanuts, and waiting around to
be a man lie wanted to be DR.. John at
once, and wear boots that would stamp and
squeak on the sidewalk and have folks
come and ring the bell for him in the mid
die Of the night, and race their horses all
into white foam around the mouth to carry
him somewhere.
johnny went into his fathers Office and
sat down to warm his fingers. His father
was out, but Morris, the boy, was in the
back room.
al can play [ am doctor, anyhow"
said Johnny, after he had looked into the
fire a while, and his face frightened as he
unwound his tippet and threw it and his
cap and mittcns on the floor. He pushed
his fathers black morocco-cushioned chair
10 the table, and climbed into it, crossed
one leg over the other, aud, taking great
newspaper, glanced over it in a wise, doc
tor-like way.
Pretty soon there we're light steps at The
door, and the door was opened very still
and little girl about Johnny's size cam,
in. She was shivering with the cold, anC
there were tears on her face, and one it'll,
bare, red hand was holding up the Other
arm. She stopped at the door, and LOOKED
around till she met Johnny's eyes over The
top of the paper.
al want the Doctor she said, half crying
Johnny put down the paper and looket
at her. She was such trembling littl,
thing he wasn't afraid Of her particle, s,
he coughed and said:
Yes ma'am. BE you sick2
"Yes, my wrist is sprained awiuly, an,
my mother said to have him put something
on it. Is he at home2"
"No, he amt" said johnny. /" But
am, and that'll be just as good | am DR.
John"
"O!" said the little girl, and she locke,
hard at the new young doctor.
&" How did you sprain it2" inquired
Johnny, coming to business
40, was a.sliding down hill-on IN,
feet, you know, cause | hain't got no sle'
and there was a girl, she came RICH
against me with peaked sled and fell mi
over, aud-O dear me !" and the little cir
whimpered and rubbed her wrist
DR.. John kicked against the chair. al
il sprained right in two2" he asked.
"No, it amt" said the little girl.
." If it was 'twould have to be sewed to
gether, suppose but if it amt, | don
most know what. Let me see it"
The little girl edged to the table in
bashful way, and, pushing up her apro
sleeve, showed little red, chapped wris
Dr. John looked from the wrist to the flooi
and from the floor back to the wrist, an
wondered what to say
81 suppose it aches inside" he remarked
at last.
yes" said the little girl "in whel
the bones be-
"Of course; :" and DR.. John looked
her as if she had said a wise thing. The
he wondered what to do next. At last
bright idea came.
al guess new sled would be good"
The little girl looked up with bright eye
"Cause if you had one they couldr
bunt you over when you were sliding doy
hill, and if they did, you could bunt ba
into them"
ayes" said the little girl, forgetting
about her aching wrist. And-O my!
it's nice up on Wilson's HILL"
Won't your mother buy you sled
inquired DR.. John.
The little girls lip quivered, and $
looked down.
"She hasn't gota money"
DR.. Johns eyes went to his sled, by {
side of the stove. Tho little girls ey
followed his, and rested upon it too.
80, well. here's one!" he said, jump
down from his chair. I'm getting pre-
big, and shan't want it any more" a
he dragged the sled up to her
The little girls face shone under the sta
Of tears as she took the handle. She II
ged in her pocket, aud bringing up &
cent piece, handed it to DR., John.
whats that ?" he inquired,
That's TO pay-ma said So for curl
my wrist"
80, yes!" and DR.. John dropped |
coin into his pocket, and the little girl w
off dragging the sled, with no signs
aches or sprains about her.
That afternoon, when DR.. John had &c
home, this same little girl came to the
fee, bringing back the sled. The real d
tor was in this time, and the little G
cried, and said her mother would not
her keep the sled. The real doctor got |
whole story, and then he laughed, aud 5,
the little girl home again with the sled 0
some medicine for her wrist, and u
to her mother saying that he wanted
boy always to stick to his bargains. WI
he went home that night be took DR.. 10
in his red flannel night.gown, on his ku
and told him he was nice doctor,
his medicine was not bad to take.
John Rugged up to his father, aud said
wished he was man and had as much q
hundred dollars, and he would 60 arol
buying sleds for poor little girls and be
and making them happy.
DR.. John used to 60 up on Wilson's
once in while after that, and when be
how happy the little girl with the red .
was, | don't think he was sorry he gay
to her for medicine. He draws her on
too, once ia while, and although she
poor and be is rich, they are very G
friends now. The real doctor smiles VI
he sees them together, and calls her 10
ny's first patient Youths Companion
------------>.s'r---
A BOY from the country was receI
taken as page into a gentleman's fam
One afternoon, just before dark, after