The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1883-05-19
PHILIP wHARTON'S CHOICE.

PHILIP wHARTON'S CHOICE.
The gas hared brightly in the drug
room in the great city hospital of w.
DR.. Wharton, one of the young physi-
clans in charge, stood by the marble
slab putting up prescription. Near
him lounged idly, DR.. Frazier, his col
league, dark, mustachioed young fell
low, with a hard, intolerant cast of
countenance, rendered more repellant
just now by an angry scowl.
Don't talk to me, Phil" he said
There's mserably poor outlook for
either of us here. The poorest hod-
carrier that walks the street has bet
ter chance for success than you or 1,
even though we have M. ID. tackled to
our names. You can brag of your pro-
fession if you like, but I'm sick of it!
I'll try something else before the years
out.
81 haven't Dragged of it," said DR..
Wharton, good-humoredly. 'Ihaven't
said anything. You never give me
chance"
ITO think of how I've wasted my
life!' continued Frazier, without heed
ing him. "Four years at college, two
in a doctors Office, two in the Phila-
delphia medical schools. And here
am, and here you are, men at twenty
four, glad to have years practice in a
hospital for our board, when my
brother, two years younger and with
out an education, is making handsome
living specializing in the Stock Ex-
change"
Philip Wharton made no reply, but
ground away steadily at the mortar.
''Do stop that screak!" said Frazier,
irritably Come out and have a
smoke"
81 haven't finished putting up this
prescription.
you haven't had your supper,
either"
mo; but shall finish the prescrip-
ton first"
''You always stick at thing until it
is finished. You'll stick at your pro-
tession until it finishes you!h
81 hope not" said Wharton, laughing.
"What are you going to do when you
leave the hospitalP Our time will be
up in September. Where are you going
to settler"
81 don't know yet" said Philip, his
cheerful face suddenly clouding. 81
hhOW VI IO pldCC WllCIC Is
chance of success. My cousin John
advises me to go West. But there are
half-a-dozen doctors in every village
out there already"
"Therer said George Frazier, tri-
umphantly. "What did sayP There
is absolutely no chance for young
doctor, unless he has a fortune or friends
to push him on. You and l have
neither. We had better go out and
preach this new cure of fasting. We
have every prospect of becoming good
examples of its effects, whatever those
may be-"
DIR. Wharton laughed, but made no
reply. His face showed, however, that
he felt the truth of what Frazier said.
you had better come to supper,
Phil, Frazier added, in more cheer
full tone. Having succeeded in making
his companion miserable, his own spirits
began to revive.
mo; | must put up this powder
first.'
Very well. I'm going to cut my
ward and take stroll tonight"
He sauntered out into the clear moon
light and fresh air. DIR. Wharton
glanced after him, feeling as if he, too,
must escape from the nauseating smell
of the drugs and the heavy, fetid air of
the sick wards. But he ground on
steadily at his powder.
He was a homely little man, whose
only attractive trait was happy, hearty
buoyancy of heart, but that was gone
now. When the prescription was made
up in little papers, labelled and direct
ed, he washed his hands, put ON his hat,
and looking at his watch, walked quick
ly out into the street. Half an hour
was the time he gave himself for meals;
but tonight he would use the half hour
for something else than supper.
He turned into a quiet cross-stre ct,
and in few minutes reached little
book-shop which wore a melancholy,
watchful air, as If tired of looking out
for customers Inside young girl was
perched on a high stool, writing in a
ledger. She had a round, merry face.