The Cecil Whig., 1883-01-06
HOW BECAME A SURGEON. U. S. A
by CHARLES WTNEUtM.

of an army appointment as a medical
officer proud in the wisdom OF my re
solve aud strengthened b, the certainty
OF its easy accomplishment. Success ap-
America on the other side. that. on my
arrival here. ! vas convinced had but
To hold up my finger and every State in
he Union would rush at me with a com.
mission: i'll fact. that any reg iment would
feel itself highly honored in the pusses-
sion of my services. Any doubt in the
premises was too absurd for considera-
tion.
Protfered letters of introduction We're
scornfu!ly rejected.
OF what use? | was coming across not
tor pleasure but for work. Why waste
one single precious hour in polite trivial
ti? My mind should not be distracted by
social temptations. The army WAS pining
tor its surgeon. and its surgeon would
pine until his talents were enlisted ioI
suffering humanity.
Letters to influential maSnates in Wash
Ington. amongst them one to the Com.
mander-in- chief of the Department, Gen
eral Banks. were sacrificed to the impet-
url> ar.iour that would brook no ubsta
clH, nor permit any de 'ay until the first
step was taken toward the goal.
The first step was necessarily from
ezra tirmi 70 the deck OF a ship-and,
"ver since. marine heroes have held an
rNalted eminence in my mind. The first
few Atlantic rollers played havoc with
all my plans; all my valiant resolutions
paled before inexorable Neptune and a
basin. and in the lulls of exhausted
nature began I" ask myself what form
my action was 10 take on landing.
Not only was this the first step toward
the goal. ont it was my first step from the
paternal roof, undertaken. too. in plain
defiance of the announced opinion of the
family authorities, in solemn conclave
assembled. and enforced by the very
practic ical measure of Il refusal to vote
an; supplies to the enterprise. II | was
really going to carve out my own fortune.
the best thing was for me to find my own
knife. In other words had to rely en-
my own unaided efforts, and alter pay wing
my passage second class, across, ! land
ed with nine Sovereigns in my pocket.
not single letter Of Introduction, and
nothing but the knowledge had picked
mp pruiniscuously On board, to guide ME
in shaping my course. According to this
valuable information, but two roads lay
open to me, the one led to recruiting
,tlice in New Iork the other to the most
fashionable hotel in Washington.
With SD in my pocket, the first of
hese plans appealed most strongly To m,
consideration. My first three days should
&C. devnt. d 10 au attempt in New York.
IN hour a:t"r landing found II in a re-
,rnltlng ,'ilice on Broadway.
Do You want surgeon here?" /
asked, much as dog fancier might have
,sked do you want 4 dog
| was at once the centre of an eager
looking crowd of officials Did | really
want to 60 into the army:' 'llow old
vas T. d" How long had been i'll the
country" H ID any friends here?'
Nothing more pertinent to the special
natare OF my question, until one queried
- Could mend arms
Here at last was something practical,
though perhaps little quaint in phrase,
ology. l explained | had seen service
with the Volunteers. " Could | mend
This. OF course, was the dry
American humor had heard SO much of
in England The comprehensive brevity
If it, Instead of Can you reduce a dis
location Can you treat a fracture?' OF
course I could. and anxious 10 attain their
hu morous level added, " Any amount of
= hem. Bring them along as fast as you
like
Ny answer evidently impressed them.
or Was told they Guessed | should
To-
"Dn you want to see MY diplomas" |
inquired.
"Oh. no. We take your word for it.
Another trait of American character.
such practical people. OF course the
mere possession of a diploma cannot
Drove the possession of ability. If you
an mend arms. what does it matter
,bout apiece of parchment? Atall events
N this short dialogue had SO far adj
ranced my arrangements that saunter-
ed out of the office with All engagement
ixed for the morrow to undergo my eX
animation.
As stood once more on Broadway, |
felt myself every inch an American. But
two hours on land and already appointed
70 an important post. Where was all the
sage wisdom of family council now, with
Ill its dire predictions
Should | hurry back to my hotel and
read up for the coming "exam,' or
should enjoy little relaxation. break
nto my So. and 90 to the theatre:
determined on the latter.
In those days there was but one house
the visitors would be recommended t"
visit-W Wallack' sand SO. later an,
found myself i'll that well known temple
If art, laughing at that prince af liz Int
Comedians, who WAS playing Charles Sur
Gace teinre ME With all the da1hrng
,.u,inu oi a white aiG and b'aci. :'.u =
t y chop whi>ke,e. Ii was an"tttcr liz
SIGHT i'.t" the charming freedom OF Am' l.
can manners. 1t was all Of 4 piece; |
was IN Il whrl Of del eht; all was new :;
the red tape ol the elfete old country
was left draggling behind. went to bed
in waking dream Of future glory.
woke in the moi ming already flushed with
he honor of my coming triumph.
To the minute | was at the bureau
The formalities of an examination we're
not unknown TO me. but one day s exist
ence in the new land lad taught me "a
expect a tie less solemnity in the ordeal
Still. even | was { little shocked at the
rough aud ready. free ard easy mode OF
pr, cedure. From the general office.
Mas pushed into another room. perfectly
'mutv and not particularly clean. with
the inf ,rmati III that here | was to be ex-
amined My doubt was but momentary.
III. Luoyant faith OF youth revealed to
ne again in this Instance, the grand sim