The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1877-09-19
A DOCTORS STORY.

iTOiu tue mhI6 hFISLOCTdJlC ClTclPSg
when one night, about half past elev-
en-, l was startled by violent ring.
ing at my bell, and having just got to
bed after hard days work, / cant
say the summons was very agreeable.
However, ran to my window at
once, and thrusting my head out into
the rain, cried, "Whe is there ?"
A voice answered, "Only |, Doctor.
It's an urgent case. Please come down
to the door."
l 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 in
black kid glove, and said piteously,
care you the doctorH"
EYES," said.
"Theu come with me-" said she.
"Don't delay. It's life or death.
Come -
hurried on my overcoat, caught
up my umbrella and, Offering my arm
to the old lady, walked down the street
with her.
"Yoa must be my guide, madam"
l said. II do not know where you
live"
She instantly gave me street and
number that surprised me still more.
1t was tolerably aristocratic quarter
Of the town.
"Who is i'll, madam ?" I inquired,
ga grown person or a child ?"
"a young lady-my daughter" she
said.
Suddenly ?"
eyes suddenly" she answered, "Do
you keep brcugham? We would
have been able to go much faster"
Il keep no conveyance" ] said.
Perhaps you are poor ?" she said
eagerly.
Certainly not rich," / said.
"Cure her and I'll make you rich"
she said, in a sort of suppressed shrek.
"Cure her, and I'll give you anything
you ask. don't care for money. I'm
rolling in gold. Cure her, and I'll
shower it on you"
"You are excited, madam" l said.
"Pray be calm"
"Calm - she said-"caIm but you
don't know mothers heart y
We had reached the street she had
indicated, and were at the door of one
of its houses. The old lady ascended
the steps, and opened the door with a
latch-ksy. A light burned in the hall;
another one in one of the parlors, the
furniture Of which was draped and
shrouded in white linen.
"Wait here, sir, if you please" she
said, as she led me into one of these.
l waited what l thought most un-
reasonable time in that gloomy parlor.
began to grow little nervous, when
a stout, short, led. faced woman bust.
led into the room.
II beg your pardon, sir" che said
in singular tone, such as one who
had committed speech to memory
might use "but my missus-the lady
who brought you here is very nerv-
Ous, and needlessly alarmed. She begs
your acceptance Of the customary fee,
and there is no need of your services"
Thus speaking, she handed nue. a
guinea, courtesied, and opened the
door for me. bowed, expressed my
pleasure that the patient was better,
and departed.
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 break
fast. Returning, to my astonishment,
found sitting in my consulting room
the lady of the night before. She rose
as entered.
"What must you think of me ?" she
said. "But no matter. My daughter
is very dear to me, and 1 have heard
of your skill. She is worse again. Can
you call some time to-day, as early as
possible, at my house ?"
81 will be there in an hour" | said.
The lady took cut her purse.
~ am en- old.fashioned woman"
she said. 81 retain oldtashioned hab.
It's. In my days the doctor received
his fee on the spot. 1t was in ordina.
ry cases a guinea. Will you receive
it now 2"
did not know what to say, but she
laid the money on the table and de.
parted.
1 ate my breakfast, and having
dressed myself carefully. made my
way to the old lady's house. | knock
ed. The door was opened by the stout
female who had dismissed me the
night before.
"The Doctor" l said by the wsy Of
explanation.