The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1884-10-04


opinion Of the new doctor, he would
stroke his own gray beard affection.
ately, and reply. ooh, a clever boy
enoughl A clever boy, needs expert
ence." This style of eulogy was not
exactly calculated to throw patients in
the way of the new candidate, who
penniless and half discouraged, was
awaiting visits.
1t is true, that owing to the fact that
DIR. Jaeger was sometimes away, and
was too tired to ride when wanted,
our friend found some few opportu-
mites for airing his medical knowledge;
but the generality of his patients were
either poor pay, or no pay at all, as his
opponent showed remarkable energy
in being on hand for people of import
ance. Humanity, however, cannot al
ways be ubiquitous; and the time came
when DR.. Jaeger was wanted for one
of his wealthlest patients, and he was
away from home. The occasion was
urgent and DR., Minter was called in.
1t was case Of fever, which the older
physician had been attending, and he
had pronounced his patient fully con-
valescent. A relapse, however, accom-
panied with unexpected symptoms,
had alarmed her friends, and they had
speedily gathered around her from far
and near.
When DR.. Minter first entered the
sick room he started, supposing for
moment that the lady must have died
since the messenger left home, and that
they were now holding her funeral.
Arranged in a neat row around the
walls seemed to be all the women in
the neighborhood, with their hands
folded and their faces drawn up into
solemn knots, ready to do duty as
mourners at minutes warning.
Occasionally, one old woman at time
would tip-toe softly to the bedside of the
invalid, clasp her hands, roll up her
eyes, and return nolselessly to her
seat, perhaps remarking, in an audible
whisper, "Poor thingl She seems to be
sinkingl" or some other equally cheer
ing bit of news. In one corner of the
room were seated two little boys, try
lug to look demure and sad, with their
feet dangling in the air. Finally, one
of them slipped down, and proceeded
TO pet a cat, which seemed to be i'm.
bued with the feeling of silence per-
vading the apartment. But he was
Immediately called to order by rigid
female, who had mounted guard over
him.
George" she shrieked in a harsh
whisper, ''cOme back to your seatl
Amt you ashamed to be playing when
your Aunt Sally is almost dyIngl See
how much better Thomas behaves"
Thus admonished, the young culprit
returned to his seat beside his twin
brother, feeling that in some way,
which he did not exactly understand,
he had been instrumental in killing his
aunt.
"Do you think she will be likely to
last longp" was whispered in the doc
tors ears.
'Not at this rate" he replied aloud,
advancing to the bedside Of the patients
He felt the pulse and remarked: sit is
high, but it is owing more to unneces-
sary excitement than to fever. This
room is too warm aud close; she must
be moved"
"Oh, doctorl it will kill herp' was
whispered by one who seemed to be
cOmmander.in-chief.
"Did you send for me to prescribe
for this patient?" asked the doctor.
"Yes."
''Then 1 expect to have my orders
obeyed. What have you here?" and
he opened door leading into an ad-
joining room.
1t proved to be parl0r, one of those
dreary unused parlors one so frequently
finds IN the country which are seldom
opened except for funerals; it is prob
able that this one would very soon have
been required for this purpose had it
not been for our friends decision.
"This will do" remarked the doc
tor, authoritatively. "Open the win
dows to air the room, and put up
bedstead as quickly as possible; we will
move her at once. This close room,
with so many to breathe the air, and
all this whispering is enough to kill a
well person."
There was an air of command IL DIR.
Minter's manner which enforced
obedience, and mechanically, the wom-
en-, who had seemed almost mummies,
proceeded to execute his orders. The
sick lady was soon moved, and quickly
began to revive under the influence of
the cool, fresh air. Her numerous
friends having nothing further to do
proceeded to arrange themselves against
the walls of the room.
81 cannat allow this," said the doc
tOr,-"You will undo all that l haye
done. But one person at time must
stay In the room with her. l wish her
to have pure air to breathe; and there
is to be no whispering here; II you have
anything to say, say it IN all ordinary
tone"
And he held the door open in such
decided way that all but the COM
mander-ln-chief passed through.
"Boys, you had better go out to
play" he remarked as George and
Thomas were bunglingly trying to
walk ON tiptOe.
They need no second admOnition,
but were soon rolling on the grass and
our friend was thenceforth enshrined
in their hearts as a doctor"
The recovery of this patient was