Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1875-06-22
MIScELLARE0Us.
BOB WRlTLoW's FIRST PATIENT.

SZSOW, as general thing-yonng doctors and
9s lawyers get their first patients and clients
is one Of the unsolved mysteries.
know how it was in Bob Whitlow's case.
Bob. after graduating with honor at fret
class medical college, went out West and,
picking out popnlous aud sickly neighbor.
hood, pitched his professional tent, hung.ou
his shingle, and boldly offered himself rs q
healer OF the people. a =.
His moderate patrimony barely suficed to
meet the expenses of his collegiate and med.
ical course, leaving his sole dependence for
the future on success iuthe walk of life which
he had chosen. g.si rsr ..rss
few months convinced him that the i'm,
mediate prospect was not very promising
Dr. Chincough had reigned there for SO many
years with undisputed sway, that the offer of
young aud inexperienced practitioner to
compete with him was generally looked upon
as piece of impertinence ola
True, the neighb0ring graveyard disclosed
mortality out of all proportion to the popu-
lation; butnobody attributed it to "Old CHM
as some of the less tespeGtful called him. /
have already said twas sickly region. and
Old Chin. had a happy knack, moreover. when
his patients died, of laying the blame on
ProvidenOei and when they didn't of asc,ibing
to himself tho glory. z .a..as esis "a ,5alf
As for my friend, Bob Whitlow, Old Chin
simply ignored his, existence. t,a asv sss
Things began to look blue for Bob His
board bill fell behind. his Office rent got into,
arrears, and unless affairs took aspeedy turn,
an unpleasant crisis must be reached soon.
One day well-drcssed young traveller fell
sick at the village-inn. The Isrdlord-with
whom Bob boarded would fain have Eotteti
the latter into the case for the stranger had
the appearance of man able to pay, and, if
Bob got good fee, the prospect of his board
bill being settled would be decidedly i'm
proved. =n s5s4
Accordingly, when the sick gentleman
spoke of calling physician, the landlord
would have recommended Bob on the spot;
but the stranger, goingO on to say that he wished
to consult physician of age aud experience.
his landlord had no alternative bat to pamo
DR.. Chincough.-
"Csll him in immediately" said the sick
man.
Old Chin found the stranger dangerously
i'll. He invariably found his patients so.-
Catch him undertaking the difficulty of case.
He gave assurance of his ability, however, to
bring the gentleman round in time, though
the process might be slower than could be
wished. - -.
Strong medicines and plenty of them was
Old Chin, 8 rule of faith. and practice, aud
on it he set to work in the present case. !.
The result was siDgulaFly unsuccessful.-
Every symptom combated seemed to be sg,
grayated by the remedy wherewith it was
thought to allsy it whilst. the. patient was
constantly complaining Of fresh pains in parts
of his body not assaiied before. -, -
Old Chin. was at bis wits end. He had
never, in his whole professional life, met with
case SO obstinate.
Meanwhile the patient grew. rapidly worse.
and at last, to all appearance, lay at deaths
Old Chin, gave it up. His skill was fairly
bafied
Il feel it my duty to warn you." /" he said.
addressing the. sinking patient. that your case
is beyond the reach of medical aid. If you
have any worldly matters to attend to there is
no time to be lost /" .-5e
.sIs-there-no other-physician in the.
place 2" feebly gesped the stranger.
Old Chin shook his head.
t.Beg pardon" the landlord yentured to
hint '.tfere's DIR. WhitIoW."
.tob, didn't think of him." said Old
Chin. with sniff. = .-sesra, "a ~
Ascend for hitn, said the strsnger.
Yes, send for hin" !" said Old Chin, with
evident disgust. Eke
A message was dispatched, and Bob lost no
time in obeying the summons.
Old Chin, With supercilious air, gave
Bob brief summary Of the case. snd an
. -r-