The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-09-27
THE DOCTORS SURPRISE.

THE DOCTORS SURPRISE.
The gas flared brightly in the drug
room in the great city hospital Of
W., DR.. Wharton, one Of thu
young physicians in charge, stood by
the marble slab putting up a prescrip
tion. Near him lounged idly, DR.. Fra
zier, his colleague, 4 dark, moustached
young fellow, with a hard, intolerant
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 fol
either Of us here. The poorest hod
carrier that walks the streets has bet.
ter chance for success than you or I
even though we have M. u. attached
to our names. You can brag Of your
profession if you like, but am sick OF
it. 1'll try something else before the
years out"
81 haven't Dragged of it," said DR..
w harton, good humoredly, 81 have
said nothing. You never gave me /,
chance"
''To think of how I've wasted my
life," continued Frazer, without heed
ing him. "Four years at college, two
in a DOCTORS office, two in a Philadel-
phia medical school. And here I am
and here you are, men of twenty-four,
glad to have a years practice III hos
pital for our board, when my brother,
two years younger, and without an edu-
cation, is making handsome living
specializing on the Stock Exchange. A
great difference, truly"
Philip Wharton made no reply, but
ground away steadily at the mortar.
''Do stop that screakl" said Frazier,
1rrltably. "Come out and have a
smoke"
''Ihaven'tfinished putting up this pre-
scription." ......
,.'Iou 4,,uyen'v',nau your supper,
either.''
"No, but shall finish the prescrip'
tion first"
"You always stick at a thing until ii
is finished. You'll stick at your pro.
fession until it finishes YOU"
81 hope not" said Wharton, laugh.
ing.
"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
know of no place where there is much
chance of success. My cousin John ad.
vises me to go West. But there are
half a dozen doctors in every village out
there already"
"There," said George Frazier, tri
umphantly. "What did say? There
is absolutely no chance for a young
doctor, unless hehasa fortune or friends
to push him on. You and I have
neither. We had better go out and
preach this new cdre Of fasting. We
have every prospect of becoming good
examples Of its effects, whatever those
may be-"
DIR. Wharton laughed, but made nc
reply. His face showed, however, that
he telt 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 feel miserable, his own
spirits began to revive.
mo, must put up this prescription
first"
every we'll. Pm going to cut my
ward and take stroll tonight"
He sauntered out into the cleal
moon, light and fresh air. DR.. Whar.
ton glanced after him, feeling as if lie.
too, must escape from the nau seating
smell Of the drugs and the heavy, 1e
It'd air Of the sick wards. But he
ground steadily at his powder.
lie was 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
ell, he washed 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 hall
hour for something else than supper.
He turned into quiet cross street
and in a few minutes reached a little
book shop which wore melancholy
watchful air, as if tired Of looking on,
for customers. Inside q young CIR
was perched Oh high stool, writing
in ledger. She had O. round, merry
face, which grew suddenly red as sht
looked up.
"Oh, Philip!'' she cried, jumping
down and catching his hand with s
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, wa:
he?" said Philip, his face darkening
1.-THE scoundrel. TO think that yol
must submit to the tyranny of a rutiial
like him, and can do nothing"
''Hushl" She glanced in terror a.
! the half-open door. Gle is at suppe,
in the back roo.n. Don't offend him
Philip, or he would discharge mo, ant
then what should l doP 1t is impossible
for girls to get work in the city now
and 1 must live." Eyes, and you mus
earn your own living" he said bitterly
"If l were half a man would hay
been able to marry before now. IT.
ten years since you promised to MARI
me, Susie. DO you remember? Yo'
lwere a little freckled tot then, muncb