The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1883-01-21
HOW THE DOCTOR WAS PAID,

Two dollars a visit ~ cried Dot, in dis.
may, forgetting entirely that she had TO look
Tor spool OF No 40 In mammals drawer, and opening
her brown eyes wider and wider she read the head
Ing Of an old bill OF DIR. Cogswel's.
1.-TWO dollars "a vislt!' she repeated. son. why
doesn't Donnie get well And where is all the money
10 come froni?' she asked herself, sadly. "We
will get very poor.'' continued Dot, shaking her
little brown head slowly over the bin. After think
ing awhile she slipped the paper In her pocket and
went down stairs.
Mamma and Sister Margie were sewing. Dot went
quietly TO Mrs. Ledyard and whispered:
ma?''
Mamma smied-a sad smile. Dot thought, as she
replied, "iOu're better at guessing than we sup
posed. Now, why don't You take your trimming,
little daughter, aud go into the library? THERE'S a
nice fire the hearth aud YOU can work away like n
bee. Wen need 1t soon, you know, ~ added man E
ma, for Dot was rather inclined to dream when she
was alone.
mp In the big library chair. Gwen need It soon
And TO think never once thought that mamma and
Sister Niargie were making those things to sell, nor
how much 1t was costing to have the doctor come
every day. and sometimes twice day. Poor Don
ME! Perhaps he's worse than they tell me. Per-
haps, - and there was great lump In her throat
he s going 10 die, and they are leaving to find
that out
Tom went into the barn to clean his gun. Dot saw
MIN. VI u ask him, ~ she said she put her work
hurredly In little silk handkerchief. and started
with 1t for the barn 90 He won't tease me when he
knows how badly feel.
ing"
Yes y admitted Dot, In a voice that could leave
no doubt of 1t In any ones mind.
whats np?'' continued Tom, as he rubbed away
at his gun " Want any help?''
"Well. you know, Tom, - began Dot. In her sweet.
tlmid voice, 80 there's secret In there.r pointing
toward the house, land never found 1t out TIL this
morning.
$50 you found 1t out. did you2 Wen, told EN-
you would
al wouldn't, but for the bill.
lyon wouldn't WHAT" asked Tom, who was rub
bling away again.
"I'litel you about that afterward When went
into the slltiug-room mamma and Margie sew
Ing
a That certainly didn't surprise you?n
son, Tom how can you make fun of 1t all
Mamma looked Just ready to cry, and-oh, oh, oh.
what can we ever do about It - she threw herself
face downward on the hay AMI sobbed as though her
little heart would break while Tom stood by In speech
dollars visit seemed mingled with her sobs.
'Come. Dot,n said he tenderly. "Don't cry.
You hayn't told me vet what the matter Is. Now
wei sit right up here, while you tell Tom all about
After while Dot managed to say:
- Doesn't Or. Cogswell charge people who are III
two dollars every time he goes TO see them?''
something like that, believe, - answered Tom.
wonderiDgy.
'Ob, Tom, we must owe him hundreds of dollars =
There was queer look In Tom s eyes.
81 suppose we do, ~ he said.
- hut have we got the money 10 pay him? ques-
toned Dot, the brown eyes swimming again.
mo, don't believe we have. ~
Then, what are we going to do?' said Dot will
"There, Dot, - said Tom, soothingIy. ''Don't
be so foolish as toery IT'S al coming out right.
TON, called Mrs, Ledyard "rIey're all
waiting for you.'
"rlie boys have come, Dot, said Tom, giving
her n hasty kiss. 40 Now, remember not 20 worry,
It's coming out all rght.'
Dot sat long time on the hay.
''TOm always thinks eyerytllng's going TO come
out all right she said, determined to he miserable
~ Just know lie thinks DR.. COgswell isn't going u
charge, but he u.s. for here's one bill and he's proba-
''He could lust as well not charge " she went on,
for Edith olcott told me he was over m ever 81
tier than this. But how could ono beY'' sh,
wondered. - How could any room he loyelIer thar
the one Mrs. Crane took Edith and me into the othe
day Tho little one with the window looking IN,
lake aud the little bed with curtains and everything
blue carpet and all Dr. COgswell calls II his litt
sisters loom, and she coming In the spring Ton
Just wanted 10 comfort me. lie doesn't know how
hard they're wOrkin' and cryn'.n
lhat night Dot added to her prayer the words,
- ON God, please don let II be more than we ear
pay - Let what g'' asked mamma.
1.-THE dociors bill, - whispered Dot
me young doctor must have heard of 1t In SOM
way Tor ne happened In the next morning afte
breakfast, and tho lrSt thing he said was:
~ IN gsing to have my bin settled to-day, Iitt
memoranda.
Now, how much should you think 1t would come
''Iundreds - said poor little Dot family
"Wewant to he business-like, - said Dr. Cogs
well; suppose you get your slate and figure IL. -
wv iah' iio l'h't solnE 10 lel US OH penny, "
she mOaned.
Now, let's do a little sum In arithmetic, - sal,
the Doctor. what does NJ stand forY''
Zone thousand, ~ said staggered little Dot pusl
Ing tho cr0chet-wofk way down Into her pocket,
VERY good, - said the Doctor. NOW, VIVA
does stand fOr2''
"ono hundred, - said Dot. trying 10 he brave
"H'm,n coughed Dr. Cogswell. NOW, ear
you think OF anything else they might stand for ~
80 No, sir, - said Dot.
why, yes you can, Dot. ~ cried Donald, who
had Just been wheeled into the room. I'M. q. -
clapplng MS hands. "Why, Merry Christmas, dom
yOn seefh
Dot smiled.
''1hen there ISM any blll?' she asked Tom
"Nary bill, - said Tom; ''but cam you thin
OF anything else the letters might stand forY''
"No, - said happy, stupid little Dot.
~ can, - cried Don, catching sight OF som,
Chances being exchanged, and Margles pretty check
aglow. "Margle C0gswe ~
Dot had TO submit 10 q good deal of teasing, but
she was very happy, notwithstanding, aud wrote In
her diary that night, In such big letters that she
went right over two or three of tile following DAYS:
"Iho Doctor wasn't coming to see Donnie after
all, and there wasn't any bill. 1 am going TO b,
bridesmaid and wear white There isn't any littl,
sister but me, and I'm golng 10 have tho little blu,
| room, whenever want 10 go there TO visit. -
| katherine n. NcDoWeN iu So Nicholas JOr Jan.
| uQTU,