The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-05-03
A CASE OF SURGERY.

Now, this is just what said to my
young friend Fred Page, who has settled
down to practice as doctor in country
town, when he came over to me, COM
planning and talking enviously about my
snug practice and the nice income tpro-
duced:
"Why, look here, Fred" i said, 81
was once worse eff than you by far, for
when started professional man ON my
own hook, was what you milk-and-
water fellows call in love- and one way
and another calculated and persuaded
myself that / could live cheaperif were
married and set up housekeeping, which
of course proved a fallacy. Well, had
TO fight through it all for years, while
scarcely any one would come to the new
doctor; for no one will employ US till
we've made a name, and we can't make
name till people employ us, so we have
to get over the paradox as we can. It's
of no use for you to say while the grass
is growing the steed is starving. You
must not let him starve; but he must
nibble under the hedges. and chew
leaves, and gnaw his crib, and pick up
an oat here and an oat there. The grass
will grow sooner or later, and, like all
young doctors, you must wait for it, and
live by your wits, studying hard the
while. Yes, I've got on, / know" l
said; "but, as said before, had my
probation to go through, and have gone
TO bed many night with an aching
heart, to lay my hand on a face at my
side and find it wet with tears. For it's
dreary work, Fred, being genteel on
next to nothing, and we two foolish
young folks made mistake in marrying
so soon, though | really don't think that
we ever repented.
"You see we used to laugh at our
troubles, as we fought them down, and l
was too busy to think, amongst my
patients who used to give me lift, as
they called it, by coming to me for ad-
vice, and then never think of paying
their bills. But young doctor-pay
or no pay-must slight no one.
And that puts me in mind of case
that had to do with. dare say you've
often seen on the different railways por-
ters in the companies employ, minus a
limb; and | suppose you are aware that
the poor fellows lose them while engaged
in some duty about the trains, and then
If not too much disabled, are kept on
afterward to perform some light office
Well, had been given to understand
by our station-master that the general
manager of the Grand Junction was
much disgusted with the charges of oul
old practitioner here-dead years ago
pooor old chap-many a squabble, too
we had; and that if any accident hap
pened should be called in.
"Well, was reading hard one even
ing in my Office, to keep from thinkin;
of the unpaid bakers bill, when my wifi
rushed in with sparkling eyes, and al
open letter in her hand. ooh, Charley
Charleyl' she cried; where's your hat
there's man with his leg crushed a
the stationl'
"'Nice thing to look pleased about, m
DEAR 1 said, taking the missive an
reading: Come directly; accident 6
Harley; man fallen, and down-ma
crushed his leg.'
"Why, it's two miles away
"Oh, how tiresomel and so late an
dark said my wife.
"'Not it, said, busily hunting OF
some instruments. Don't sit up.
shall get Phipps, the druggist, to go vii
me, for dare say it will be an amput
tion csse.'
"Pm glad, and yet sorry, DEAR 81
said; but l shall sit up, and there sh.
be some hot coffee ready, and
Cali right, goodbye exclaime
cutting short the speech and the ne
minute / was out in the road looking
the messenger, but he had disappeart
However, soon hunted out Phipps, a
with my case under my arm, walk
with him through the bitter, dark mig
asquickly as possible, to the station.
"No, l didn't keep my carriage the
and / don't think / should now, il
we're not for the look of the thing,
there's endless trouble attached to il
what with sick horses and troubleso
coachmen, and wear and tear, / do
know but what ]. would rather walk, af
all.
at was just one o'clock when I ,
back to find cheerful ire, and the cd
ifsrous coffee waiting; ard, being til
and vexed, was rather glad to hs
my fur smoothed down in so pleasan
way.
Hadn't you better put the inst
ment case in the Office, dear?' said