The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1883-05-17
PHILIP WHARTON,S CmOIcE.

PHILIP WHARTON'S CHOICE.
The gas fared brightly in the drug
room in the great city hospital of W.
DR.. Wharton, one Of the young physi-
clans in charge, stood bv the marble
slab putting up a 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 n miseEably poor outlook for
either of us here. The poorest hOd-
carrier that walks the street has n bet
ter chance for success than YOU or /,
even though we have NJ. 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 year $
out -
II haven't Dragged of it," said DR..
Wharton, goOd-humoredly. Il haven {
said anything. You never give me a
chance
ITO think of how I've wasted my
life,' continued Frazier, without heed
ing him. -Four years at college, two
in doctor office, two in the Phila-
delphia medical schools. And here !
am, and here you are, men at twenty
four glad TO have a wears practice i'm 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 mt the mortar.
''DO stop that screakn' said Frazier,
irritably. Come out and have a
smoke
81 haven't finished putting up this
prescription"
You haven't had your supper,
either"
No; but I shall finish the prescrip-
tion first"
You always stick at d thing until it
is finished. You'll stick at your pro-
fcssion until it finishes yOu!'
Il hope not, said Wharton, laugh
ing.
"What are you going to do when YOU
leave the hospital? Our time win be
up in September. Where are you going
to settle?'
Il don't know yet, said Philip, his
cheerful face suddenly clouding. 81
know of no place where there is much
chance of success NV 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-
Iimphantly. What did | say? There
is absolutely no chance for Il young
doctor, unless he has fortune or friends
to push him on. You and l have
neither We had better 60 out and
preach this new cure of fasting We
have every prospect of becoming good
examples of its effects, whatever those
may be-
DR.. Wharton laughed, but made nc
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; l must put up this powder
first
Very well. I'm going to cut my
ward and take a stroll tonight"
lie 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, fetd air OF
the sick wards. But he ground or
steadily at his powder.
He was homely little man, whose
only attractive trait was a happy, hearty
huoyancy of heart, but that was gone
now. When the prescription was made
mp in little papers, labelled and direct.
ed, he washed his hands, put on his hat,
and looking ut his watch, walked quick.
~ out into the street. Half an hour
was the time he gave himself for meals
hut tonight he would use the half hOU
for something else than supper.
He turned into IA quiet oross-street
and i'm a few minutes reached a lutte
book-shop which wore a melancholy,
watchful air, as If tired of looking out
for customers. Inside young girl wa'
perched on a high stool, writing in q
ledger. She had a round, merry face
which grew suddenly red as she looked
up.
40 Philip" she cried, jumping dowI
and catching his hand with nervous
sob and laugh. such a good day a.
this has been! Mr.. Nixon has not scold
ed since morning, and l have made two
sales, and now YOU are come!
$50 Nixon was scolding you. was hep
said Philip, his face darkening. Tn,
scouudrS+I- To think that YOU must
submit to the tyranny Of rufiian Xix,
him, and l can do nothing
"Hush-hr' She glanced in terror al
the half-open door. lie Is ut supper il
the back room. Don offend him. Phil
ip, or he would discharge me. and ther
what should | do? 1t is impossi bic fol
girls to get work in the city now, and
must live
Yes, and you must earn your owl
living" he said, bitterly. If | wer,
half "A man | would have been able &C
marry before now. It's ten years since
YOU promised to marry me, Susy; dc
YOU remember? You were a little
freckled tot then, munching candy, anC
l a lubberlv farm-boy. But l deter
mined to make you my wife, and keel
YOU from all trouble, though slow
enough I've been about itr'
- You have done more than any othel
man ever did, cried Susie, holly. "YoU
have educated yourself; earned YOU
profession r.
"ProfessiOnl I'm beginning TO thinl
Frazier is right, and that / had better
he a hod-carUier than a doctor. Their
al least / would be sure of work anC
1vaOes: but now, when l leave the hos
nital next month, where am / to go? i
may be years before / can earn enough
10 keep us from starving, if we shoulc
Never mind.n said Susy, laughing
tbouob her blue eyes were wet with tears
..What are yearsP We are very young
Philip