The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1874-09-18

so established himself in the good graces
of him and his wife, that they were
quite deaf to the circumstances 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 dismiss the dector?" asked
the sufferer, as deputation of the vii
lage worthless appeared at his bedside,
and again began their circumstances.
"Why, you see, neighbor, the case is
this" commenced Philip Benton, who
sion. philip Benton had received some
early advantages of education and was
regarded as having "power of learn
ing "You are poor man, and,
having met with severe accident, en-
dangering life and limb, or L may Justly
say, i,Juring limb if not life, your
neighbors holding you in high estima.
ton, are willing to lend you helping
hand, for which purpose a subscription
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 por-
ton of it should be paid to this smart
young doctor"
"Now if it were good DIR. Pembroke,
the case would be different" chimed in
Isaac Dobbs, the miller eve should
not mind paying him a moderate bill,
and indeed he would have charged you
little or nothing, and everything would
have been properly attended to. L have
it from his own lips. He feels greatly
for you neighbor Whitman, and regrets
that you were thrown into ignorant
hands. 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
81 am very grateful for your kind
ness, neighbors, and with my large
family, there is indeed need of assist
ance. AS to turning off the young
doctor, L cannot see my way clear to do
it, because he has done and is doing
well with me. In all probability he will
save my arm and restore its use, when,
as you yourself admit, DR.. Pembroke
would have taken it off at once. Surely
it is better to have two arms than
one"
There was force in this argument
which none could gainsay, but, after a
short pause, Philip Benton replied
"This may be all very well, neighbor.
l do not wish to say anything against
the young mans skill, but it does not
look well to see him trying TO run you
up such a great bill. Why, L have
counted three and four times day that
he has entered your door. / under
stand he charges high-a dollar visit,
or something like that. Such imposi-
ton just for looking at man. Now
you can easily see that it would be try
ing to the feelings of your friends to
think that they were raising money to
pay this stranger. am empowered by
DIR. Pembroke to say that if DR.. Lans-
ing will give up the case, he will attend
you gratis, and if you desire, will call
upon the young doctor and state this in
a polite way. No doubt he will consent
to the arrangement at once"
Very reluctantly, Mr.. Whitman agreed
to this proposal. 1t was really strange
how he chung to the young doctor, and
how much he felt that he should miss
his kindly words and smiles, and his
gentle touch and light tread-so differ
ent from the busting way of portly DR..
! Pembroke.
But there was no help for it. He
might be dependent for long time,
and it was not for him to dictate how
his neighbors should befriend him.
So with his best coat and his most
dlgnltied manner, Philip Benton, or
Squire Benton, as he was commonly
styled, waited upon DIR. Lansing, and
politely stated his errand but, to his
unutterable surprise, the request was as
politely declined.
DIR. Lansing regretted that he could
not oblige Mr.. Benton and the friends
whom he represented, but the case had
progressed SO successfully under his
charge that he could not conscientiously
relinquish it to another.
Preposterous And to speak of con.
science IN the matter, when it was per-
fectly evident that 1T was a mere avari-
cious desire to get all he could from the
poor man.
1t was the talk of the whole village.
The minister from the pul pit denounced
III very strong terms those who defraud-
ed the poor. The old doctor gave a
more expressive shrug than usual when
his young rival was mentioned. Dobbs,
the miller, gave the bags of grain an
extra shake, and the worthy blacksmith
welded his hammer with unusual
energy, as they thought of DIR. Lansing,
while the auLd OiUeS raised their hands
and eyes with indignation when they
saw him pass their door, and the young
maidens avoided returning his courteous
salutation, although they INDUCED in a
sly peep at his handsome form and
fashionably cut coat, and sighed as
they thought of the popular DIR. Penn
broke.
Still everything went on swimmingly
at neighbor Whitman's. The young
doctor continued his visits, and the pa.