West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1877-09-15
A DOCTORS STORY.

Nih " NbAANi- llNt III IAluOn
and in one of the most crowded local
tiles.
| had beeni i'm my present abode two
years, and had never had patient from
the more aristocratic circles, when one
night, about half past eleven, was
startled by violent ringing ut my bell
and having Just got To bed after hard
days work, can't say the summons was
very agreeable.
However, ! ran TO my window at
once, and thrusting my head out into
the rain, cried, "Who is there ?''
voice answered, Only /. Doctor.
ltsan urgent case. Please come down
10 the door"
| hurried on some clothes, and sped
down stairs and opened the door. There
stood in full light of the hall lamp, an
elderly lady dressed in mourning.
She put out the smallest of hands i'm a
line black kid glove, and said piteously,
" Are you the doctorY
Yes" | said.
Then come with me-" said she.
Don't delay. It's life or death.
Gomez
hurried on my ovcrcoat, caught up
my umbrella and, Offering my arm to
the old lady, walked down the street
with her.
You must be my guide. madam"
! said. 81 do not know where YOU
live"
She Instantly gave me street and
number that surprised me still more. 1t
was a tolerably aristocratic quarter of
thct0wn.
Who is ill, madam ?'' / inquired, ga
grown person ora childY'
=" A young ladV-my dgu0hter she
said.
Suddenly?"
A." Yes, suddenly" she answered, "Do
you keep n brOugham? We would have
been able to go much faster"
keep no conveyance" | said.
Perhaps you are poor?" she said
eagerly.
Certainly not rich, !" | said.
Cure her and I'll make you rich, i"
she said, in sort of suppressed shrek.
Cure her, and I'll give you anything
you ask. | don't care for money Pm
rolling in gold. Cure her, and I'll shower
it on you"
You are excited, madam" / said.
Pray he calm"
"Calmw she said" calm but you
don't know mothers hearth
We had reached the street she had in
dicated, and were at the door of one of
its houses. The old lady ascended the
steps, and opened the door with n latch
key. light burned i'm the hall; an
other one in one of the parlors, the fur
niture of which wasdraped and shrouded
in white linen.
Wait here, sir, if you please" she
said, as she led me into one of these.
waited what / thought q most un-
reasonable time in that gloomy parlor. /
began TO grow little nervous, when n
stout, short, red-faccd woman hustled
into the room.
| beg your pardon, SIR" she said i'm
singular tone, such as one who had
committed speech 90 memory might
use; but my missus-the lady who
brought you here-is very nervous, and
needlcssly alarmed She beps your ac-
ceptance Of the customary fee, and there
is no need of your services"
Thus speaking, she handed me n
guinea, cOurtesied, and opened the door
for me. bowed, expressed my pleas
ure that the patient was better, and de-
parted.
1t was queer sort Of adventure. but
rather amusing than otherwise, besides
had good fee
arose early next morning, and paid
couple of visits before breakfast Re
turning, to my astonishment, / found
sitting in my consulting room the lady
OF the night before. She rose as en-
tered.
&c What must you think of me? she
said. But no matter Ny daughter is
very dear to me, and ! have heard of
yvtr skill. She is worse again Can
you call some time to-day, as early as
possible, at my house Y
" 1 will be there i'm an hour.O I said
The lady took out her purse.
| am an Old-fashiOned woman - sbo
said. retain old-fashioned babits
In my days the doctor received his fec
ON the spot. II was i'm ordinary cases .
guinea. Will you receive it now?w
did not known what to say. but she
laid the money on the table and de-
parted.
ate my breakfast, and having dressed
myself carefully, made my way to the
old ladys house. ] knocked The door
was opened by the stout female who had
dismissed me the night before.
The doctor" said by the way Of
Ahp said she. Has missus called
on you againT'
d" Yes, answered.
There is no need. assure Won
sir," she said. Il can't really ask vo,,
in. There's no ono ill here. IL a
whim Of missus'. I am n better iudgo
Of illness than She No need Of a doc
tor"
left the house, Of course. partly in
dudgcon, partly in amazement.