The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-09-29
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THE DOCTORS SURPRISE.

The gas fared brightly in the drug room
in the great city hospital of W. DIR.
Wharton, one of the young physicians in
charge, stood by the marble slab putting
up a prescription. Near him lounged idly
DR.. Frazier, his colleague, a dark, NOUS
tached young fellow, with hard, intoler-
ant cast of countenance, rendered more re-
pellant just now by an angry scowl.
Don't talk to me, Phil" he said,
''There is miserable poor outlook for
either of us here The poorest hod-carrier
that walks the streets has better chance
for success than you or |, even though we
have NJ. d. attached to our names. You
can brag of your profession if you like, but
[ am sick of it. I'll try something else
before the years out. :"
Il haven't Dragged Of it, said DR..
Wharton, good humoredly; 81 have said
nothing You never gave me Il chance.
40 think of how I've wasted my life, y
continued Frazier, without needing him.
-Four years at college, two in doctor S
office, two in Philadelphia medical school,
And here | am and here you are, men of
wenty-four, glad to have years practice
in hospital for our board, when my
brother, two years younger and without an
education, is making a handsome living
specializing on the Stock Exchange. \
great difference, trul ~"
Philip Wharton made no reply, but
ground away steadily at the mortar.
''Do stop that screak," said Frazier, irri-
tably. 'ECome out and have smoke. y
Il haven't finished putting up this pre-
scription."
"You haven't had your supper, either. ="
''No; but [ shall finish the prescription
first"
"You always stick at thing until it is
finished. You'll stick at your profession
until it finishes you
Il hope not, said Wharton, laughing.
''What are you going to do when you
leave the hospital? Our time will be up
in September Where are you going to
settle ?''
II don't know yet" said Philip, his
cheerful face suddenly clouding. II know
of no place where there is much chance of
success. My cousin John advises me to
90 West. But there are half dozen
doctors in every village out there already"
''There," said George Frazier trium-
phantly. "What did [ say? There is alb
soIutely no chance for young doctor, un-
less he has fortune or friends to push
him on. You and [ 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, what
ever those may be.
Dr. Wharton laughed, but made no re-
ply. His face showed, however, that he
felt the truth of what Frazier said.
"You had better come to supper Phil, y
Frazier added, in more cheerful tone
Having succeeded in making his companion
feel miserable, his own spirits began to re-
vive.
"No; l must put up this prescription
first"
every 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 steadily at his powder.
He was homely little man, whose only
attractive trait was happy, hearty buoy
ancy of heart, but that was gone now.
When the prescription was made up in
little papers, labeled and directed, he wash
ed his hands, put on his hat, and, looking
at his watch, walked quickly 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 quiet cross street, and
in few minutes reached little book shop
which wore melancholy, watchful air, as
if tired of looking out for customers. In
side young girl was perched on a high
stool, writing in a ledger. She had a
round, merry face, which grew suddenly
red as she looked up.
ooh, Philip" she cried, jumping down
and catching his hand with nervous sob
and laugh. "Such good day as this has
been. Mr.. Nixon has not scolded since
morning, and [ have made two sales, and
now you are come.
$50 Nixon was scolding you, was he %
said Philip, his face darkening. '"The
scoundrel To think that you must submit
to the tyranny of rufian like him, and |
can do nothing
"Hush p She glanced in terror at the
half-open door. "He is at supper in the
back room. Don't offend him, Philip, or
he would discharge me, and then what
should l do? 1t is impossible for girls to
get work in the city now, and I must live. F"
eyes, and you must earn your own liv-
ing," he said, bitterly; 'if l were half a
man l would have been able to marry be-
fore now It's ten years since you prom
ised to marry me, Susie. Do you remenl-
Der? You were little freckled tot then,
munching candy, and I lubberly farm
boy But determined to make you my
wife, and keep you from all trouble, though
slow enough I've been about it. -
"You have done more than any other
man ever did," cried Susie, hotly "You
have educated yourself earned your pro-
fession-"
Profession I'm beginning to think
Frazier is right, and that ( had better be q
hod-carrier than doctor. Then at least