Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1883-04-19
How the Doctor was Paid.

Two dOllarS q Vlslt! cried Dot, IN dis
may, forgetting entirely that she had
come to leok for spool of No. 40 in
mammals drawer, and opening her brown
eyes wider and wider rs she read the
heading of an old bill of DIR. Cogswsn's s.
Two dollars visit she repeated.
oh, why doesn't Donnie get well? And
where is all the money to come from ?
she asked herself sadly. we will get
very poor continued Dot, shaking her
little brown head slswly over the bill.
After thinking awhile she slipped the
paper in her pocket and went down
stairs.
Mamma and sister Margie were sew
ing. Dot went quietly to Mrs. Ledysrd
and whispered:
We'll feel very poor afterward, won't
we mammal
Mamma smiled A sad smile, Dot
at guessing than We supposed. Now,
why don't you take your trimming, lit
tie daughter, and 60 into the 1ibraryr
There's nice fire on the hearth, and
you can work away like bee. Well
need it soon. you know, added mamma,
for Dot was rather inclined to dream
when she was alone.
well need it soon,' repeated Dot, as
she climbed up in the big library chair.
We'll need it soon. And TO think l
never once thought that mamma and sis
ter Margis were making these things to
sell, nor how much twas costing to have
the doctar coming every day, and seme-
times twice day. Poor Donniei Per-
haps he's worse than they tell me. Per
haps,' and there was great lump in
her throat, he's going to die, snd they're
leaving me to find that out
Tom went to the barn to clean his
gun. Dot saw him. 1'll ask him. she
said, as she put her work hurriedly in
a little silk handkerchief, and started
with it for the barn. He won't tease
me when he knows how badly fsel'
'Halloop was Toms greeting. Been
crying?'
Yes admitted Dot, in a voice that
could leave no doubt Of it in any ones
mind.
What's upY continued Tom, as he
rubbed away at his gun. Want any
helpP'
We'll, you know, Tom,' began Dot, in
her sweet, timid voice; there's secret
in there pointing to the house, and l
never found it out till this morning
so you found it out. did you? Well,
1 told 'em you would
Il wouldn't, but for the BILL
You wouldn't what p asked Tom, who
was rubbing away again.
1'll tell you about that afterwsrd. |
When went into the sitting room,
mamma and Margie were sewing
That, certainly, didn't surprise your |
%, Toni how can you make fun of it |
all? Mamma looked just ready to cry. |
oh, oh, what can we ever do |
about it?' as she threw herself face |
downward on the hay, and sobbed as
though her little heart would break,
while Tom stood by in spsechless aston.
ishment. wondering why the words So |
a visit seemed mingled with her sobs.
Come, Dot said he. tendsrly. Don't
cry. You haven't told me yet what the |
matter is. Now, we'll sit right up here,
while you tell Tom all about it,
After awhile Dot managed to say:
Doesn't DR.. Cogswell charge people
who are ill 81 every time he goes to see
themY
Something like that, 1 believe an
swsrsd Tom, wOnderingly.
Its exactly that, said Dot, feeling for
the bill. %, Tom, we must owe him
hundreds of dOllarsr
There was queer look in Toms eyes.
Il suppose we do he said.
But have We got the money to pay
him ? questioned Dot, the brown eyes
swimming again.
No, don't believe we have
Then, what are we going to do?' said
Dot, with another sob.
There, Dot said Tom, soothingly,
ion't be so foolish as to cry. It's all
,oming cut right. I can't tell you now
ust how, but 1t is
Tom called Mrs. Ledyard, they are
Ill waiting for YOU /