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

What a. vast difference between q
simple country village and the crowded
city;-a difference not only i'll the struct-
ure 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 may 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-
Citations.
But it would sometimes seem as if
there were more of sympathy with the
fellow beings around him, in the UMPIRE
tending villager, than in the busy citi-
zen. True, this benevolent interest in
the concerns of others may at times be-
come annoying by its prying inquisi-
tiveness, but the heart Graves sympathy,
and even this is preferable to the fash
ionable indifference and total ignorance
of neighbor and neighbor.
What sensation is caused by birth
or a death, wedding or a funeral in
the little world of acountry village. All
seem to participate IN the Joy or the
sorrow. To find person ignorant of
the event, would be source of exceed
ing surprise and wonder. News spreads
like wildtire. The very birds of the air
seem to carry tidings.
Sam Brown, an intelligent, active
little fellow, we'll 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
AhnE 4
the way TO a house where some new
tangled practitioner has lately hung out
his sign, and, in 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 acct
dent has happened, and curiosity and
sympathizing interest are expressed on
every countenance.
Good Mrs. Walton, as she peeps
from her door, Is "thankful 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" because he has such large
family dependent upon him.
Anxious wives and mothers, who are
less fortunate than Mrs. Walton, and
have husbands or sons exposed to
the danger, whatever it may be, are
seen hastily approaching in different
directions, wishing to put an end to
suspense, and know the worst at once.
All is soon told. In spite of Mrs.
Walton's hopes it is indeed poor Mr..
Whitman who has met with the acct
dent, and a serious one it is likely to
prove, for his right arm has been en-
tangled in the machinery and is shock
ingly 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 40 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 regard
ed as an oracle, has, as it we're, been de-
frauded of his proper rights by this
young DIR. Lansing, a new comer whom
uODOuy buOWSb anu WIN AOI SOLuc uil-
heard 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 r.
The young man certainly had much
to contend vi \, for, with the exception
of few ~ ghtened minds who had
glimmerins perception that the
science of medicine might in the lapse
OF years have left the old doctor in the
rear, he was universally regarded as
very unnecessary interloper
And now TO think of his having the
charge of poor Mr.. Whitman. Surely
II 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 the GOOD
wives of the village, and publicly and
privately was it expressed. "i-"
DIR. Lansing might have heard - ~
any rate he must have felt il Int Il =, az ~
peared to make little difference in IL
proceedings. He was unremitting IL
his attentions to the injured man and