Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1874-10-01
The Stprv Teller.
THE DOCTORS FEE.

What a vast difference between simple
country village and the crowded city; differ
ence not only in the structure of buildings
and in the width of streets, but in the man
ners and customs, and even in the thoughts
and feelings of its inhabitants.
We do not pretend to judge where the
greatest degree of happiness may be found.
Perhaps not in one more than in another, tor
happiness is not confined to place, and IS less
dependent upon external than upon internal
associations.
But it would sometimes seem as If there
were more of sympathy with the fellow beings
around him, in the unpretending villager than
in the busy citizen. True, this benevolent in
terest in the concerns of others may, at times,
become annoying by its prying inquisitive-
ness, but the heart Graves sympathy, and even
this is preferable to the fashionable inditfer-
ence and total ignorance OF nelghbor and
neighbor. ...-......
What sensation is caused by birth or a
death, a wedding or funeral, in the little
world of a country village. All seem to par
ticipate in the joy or the sorrow. TO find a
person ignorant of the event, would be a
source Of exceeding surprise and wonder.
News spreads like wild fire. The very birds
of the air seem to carry tidings.
Sam Brown, an intelligent, active little tel.
low, well-known in the village of F., has
been seen to run at full speed from the ma
chine shop to the doctors Office, apparently
not finding that worthy at his post, darts
across the way to house where some new
tangled practitioner has lately hung out his
sign, and, in a moment, with the last men,
toned 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 accident has happened, and curiosity and
sympathizing interest are expressed on every
countenance.
Good Mrs. Walton, as she peeps from her
door, is thankful to Providence that none Of
her folks works at the shop, and hopes to good
ness that it is not the engineer, poor Mr..
Whitman, because he has such large family
dependent upon him.
Anxious wives and mothers, who are less
fortunate than Mrs. Walton, and have hus-
bands and sons exposed to the danger, what
ever it may be, are seen hastily approaching
in different directions, wishing to put an end
to suspense, and to know the worst at once.
All is soon told. In spite of Mrs. Walton's
hopes, it is indeed Mr.. Whitman who has met
with the accident, and serious one it is like
ly to prove, for his right arm has been en-
tangled in the machinery and is shockingly
mangled.
What sympathy and sorrow is felt by all,
when the unfortunate man is carried, nearly
insensible, from the shop to his own home,
which fortunately is near. by. There is no
lack of assistants. Men, women and children
stand ready. Every one is desirous to do
something
But there is one source of almost universal
regret Good old DR.. Pembroke, the expe-
rienced 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
regarded as an oracle, has, as it we're, been de-
frauded of his proper ri ghts, by this young
DR.. Lansing, a newcomer, whom nobody
knows, and who, for some unheard of reason,
(for surely he was not wanted in place where
DR.. Pembroke had ruled supreme for nearly
half century, has lately established himself
in the pleasant little village of F.:
The young man certainly had much to con.
tend with, for with the exception of a few en-
lightened minds who had glimmering per-
ception that the science of medicine might in
the lapse of years have left the old doctor in
the rear, he was universally regarded as a
very unnecessary interloper.
And now to think of his having the charge
of poor Mr.. Whitman. Surely if he was any
gentleman he would not take advantage of
the family physicians having been absent at
the time of the accident, but would politely
resign the case into his hands.
This was the opinion of all the good wives
of the village, and publicly and privately was
it expressed.
Dr. Lansing light have heard it, at any
rate he must have felt it; but appeared to
make little difference in his proceedings. He
was unremitting in his attentions to the iDjur-
ed man, and 50 established himself in the
good graces of him and his wife, that they
were quite deaf to the remonstrances of their
benevolent neighbors, who earnestly desired
that they should dismiss him at once.
"The arm is certainly doing better than we
could have expected ; why then should we dis.
miss the doctor" asked the sufferer, as a
deputation of the village worthless appeared
at his bedside, and again began their remon-
strances.
"Why, you see, neighbor, the case is this, %
commenced Philip Benton, who was to be
chief spokesman on the occasion. (Philip
Benton had received some early advantages
of education and was regarded as having a
"power of learning") "You area poor man,
and having met with severe accident, en-
dangering life and limb, or may justly say,
iniuring limb if not life, your neighbors hold
ing you in high estimation, are willing to lend
you helping hand, for which purpose SUBJ
scription was set on foot, and quite sum
raised for your relief. Now this money we, of
course, wish to be expended for the benefit of
yourself and your family, but we do not feel
willing that large portion of it should be
paid to this smart young doctor"
"Now if it were good DR.. Pembroke the
case would be different" chimed in Isaac
Dobbs, the miller; "we would not mind pay
ing him moderate bill, and indeed he would
have charged you little or nothing, and eve
rything would have been properly attended
to- / have it from his own lips. He feels
greatly for you, neighbors. Whitman, and re-
grets that you were thrown into ignorant
hands. In his opinion the limb should have
been amputated at once'
"Thank God that DR.. Lansing differed from
him." exclaimed the sick man, with an energy
that startled them. Then speaking more
calmly, he added
II am very grateful for vonr kindness,
neighbors, and with my large family, there is
indeed need of assistance AS to turning off
the young DOCTOR 1 cannot see my way clear
to do it, because he has done and is doing we'll
with me. In all probability he will save my
arm and restore its use, when, as you yourself
admit nr pomhroko ,pould howe toEon II "A