Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1876-10-04
The Charm Doctor.
BY A. GOULD PENN.

Doctor Harry Brooks, the latest ac-
cession to the medical fraternity of
Parkville, sat one morning in the dingy
old Office of Doctor Able, who had
kindly taken him into a conditional
partnership.
An observer would have thought
that DIR. Harry was very much absorbed
in the large leather bound volume
which lay in his lap, but such, in real
ity, was not the fact. The old volume
had been taken up with the laudable
intention of study, but the young Doc
tors mind was running in a different
channel, and his thoughts properly
written out, would read something like
this:
"Here, I've been a partner of old
Doctor Able's about six months, and in
all that time haven't had case fit for
a charm doctor to experiment upon.
People will insist on asking for Doctor
Able, and look at me with a fearful
frown when dare to offer my services.
Wish was old, gray-headed, married
All. yes, perhaps that would help me
into practice. Married? Wonder if |
could prevail upon sweet Kate Rich
mond TO bestow her hand and expecta-
tions on such as L? believe she loves
me, and L know l love her. But that
mother of Kate's, Whewr'
Rap-rap-bang. as if the door was
about to be knocked in, and Doctor
Harry's book ratified on the floor as he
let down the front legs of his chair.
''Come i'm" he roared, somewhat in
proportion to the strength of the knock.
A bright looking Irish lad about six
teen years Of age appeared, grinning,
"Good morning, Doctor Brooks"
Teddy Mileen, is that you, why did
you not cave the door in at once?"
hadn't time, sure; am in hurrah ;
where's the old mon?"
'Gone to the country. What's up
now. Is Mrs Richmond worse?"
"Worse is it? She'll be dead as q
mackerel in just sixteen minutes an a
half"
"Well, Doctor Able will return in
about one hour, and / will tell him he
is wanted there"
Better sind the undertaken along
wild him." answered Teddy as he
banged the door after him and started
up the street.
Doctor Brooks knew that Mrs. Rich
mond-kate's mother-was not seri-
ously ill, ia fact that she was a hypo-
chondriac, and was only happy when
she could find new doctor.
Life had been sent for in haste, on his
first arrival in town. and thus began
his acquaintance with Kate. But he
had very incautiously asserted the real
truth to the afflicted mother, and she
had Indignantly dismissed him, and
forbidden Kate to speak to him again.
However, there were many opportu-
mites of meeting Kate, unknown to the
old lady, and such meetings had taken
place until Harry had come to consider
himself an accepted suitor, but poverty
had prevented him from deciding the
matter definitely.
ssSomething must be done to Kill
time when there are no patients al
hand for the same purpose" thought
DR.. Brooks, sand why not play busi'
ness for want of the genuine article y
Acting on this impulse, he rang for
the stable boy, and ordered out his
horse and buggy, for he was fortunate
in the possession of those very neces-
sary adjuncts to his profession. When
they arrived he took up his cases, and
springing into the buggy, drove furi-
ously through the principal part OF the
town, as if matter of life and death
was at stake.
OF course people stared and wondered
who it could be in such need Of ply.
sician and duly canvassed the merits OF
the young Doctor.
At last, having done the most inn
portant part of town, Harry struck ou'
upon pleasant country road, and once
beyond range of the village, slackened
his pace, and prepared to enjoy the
bright surroundings.
A little womanly figure appeared
coming down the road and at a glance
he knew it could be no other than the
one uppermost in his mind-Kate Rich
mond.
''Good morning, Miss Richmond
was his salutat;on, and it was returned
cordially.
'Taking g rorning walk for youl
health?" b 2ioed.
go, no si-. 1 have been out to Uncle
John's: yc kcow he lives about mile
ON town. often walk there on lit
errards fc- mamma"
This wa, al opportunity not to bt
lost, and Doctor Harry used his arts ol
persuasion SO well that Kate consented
to take little ride, and so he helped
her into the buggy and away they
went.
What transpired on that eventfu
ride we cannot exactly state, but Ger