The Somerset reporter., 1885-10-07
SELECTED.
A QUEER STORY.
IN ASCENDING BANKRUPT.

DR. Clarence Jones was an cntcrprising
young gentleman who meant to succeed
in his profession, He was not clayer in
the sense Of being well read, and, in f act,
he had only just managed to scrape
through the qualifying examination, But
he did not aspire to scientific distinction.
and took no higher view of his calling
than to regard il as a means by which he
might possibly make ortunc. He con-
considered that he would only be wasting
valuable time by seeking hospital APP
pointmcnt for the sake of gaining expc-
rence Instead, therefore, of going
through the routine of Il young doctors
carly career, he took the bold step of rent
ing the ground-hoor of a large house in Il
fashionable quarter, and setting up i'm
mediately rs Il consulting physician. He
was shrcwd enough to perceive that he
vas best qualified 10 succeed in that
branch of practice, being at heart a mere
charlatan. He had acquired the art of
making Il great show Of Il smattering of
knowledge; he had carefully cultivated II
bland and impressive manner, and he
thoroughly realized that the great secret
of amassing wealth is to be utterly UNI
ScrllpulouS in the matter of fees, and
never to release Il patient While he can be
imposed upon by lIumbug. As though to
aid his ambitious designs, nature had en-
doWed him with good presence II high
and shining forehead, which was en-
HANGED by premature badness, and Il soft,
melodiOus voice.
lie found it uphill work nt first, Of
course; but had no real cause for dissaiis-
faction. He went as much as possible
into society, and made useful friends. He
was always particularly careful to be
polite and attentive to the wives and
daughters of physicians in good practice.
In fact he showed his >agaeity by aSsidu
ollsly counting the suiliagc> of lady ac
quaintanccs. The consequence WAS that
patients soon made their appearance,
while neighborimg doctors, owing to do
nestle influence, found many opportuni-
ties of putting stray guineas into his
pocket. In very short time he contrived
to gain reputation of having established
Il practice and soon came to be regarded
as Il rising man.
DR.. Clarence Jones did not hide his
light under Il bushcl, but was rather adj
dictcd to Boosting of his success Some
of his professional brethren smiled at this
knowing from experience how Slow and
lab0rious is the work of making a remun-
eratiye practice. But the wisdom of his
tactics was proved by the fact that even
these skcptcs had no suspicion of the
real condition of affairs, The truth was,
that ut the end of three years DR. Jones
found himself hopclessly in debt, his pro
fcssional earning having fallen far short
every year of his modern requirements
His practice was increasing, to be sure,
and in all probability the time was not far
distant when il would yield him a decent
income; but meanwhile, just as it was
more than ever necessary to keep up ap-
pcaranccs, bankruptcy and ruin stared
him in the face. He had spent his small
capital, creditors were pressing, and he
was literally reduced to providing for his
daily wants by surrcptitiously pawning
his personal effects.
In such circumstances an elastic con-
science is often useful ally. Young DR..
Jones having no scruplcs whatever on the
subject of his liabilities, was enabled TO
devote all his energies to the difficult ta>l,
of evatling them. He was quite unmoved
by his tailors pathetic appeals. while he
succeeded by sound argument in convinc
in@ that ong-,ucrn@ individual that his
only chance of getting paid was to wait.
But his powers of reasoning and perSlla-
sion. though ellicaciouS in some cases, Of
ten proved unavailng, so that the air be
came darkcncd with writs and legal pro-
ccSses. The poor young man Vas thus
fairly driven to his wits end, and saw no
alternative but TO make known his en-
barrassmcnts, and thereby jeopardi2c the
success which had almost seemed to be
within his grasp,
One morning DR.. Jones was gloomily
seated in his consulting room, waiting for
patients, when there came II knock at the
door. and little Shabbly dressed, bright
eyes, elderly man was presently ushered
in. Dir. Jones greeted his visitor with
mingled feelings, being disappointed of Il
patient, yet relieved to find that he wa.
not sheril"s officer.
GLOW are YOU, Mr.. Graves" he said,
iustinctivcly adopting the condcscending
tone of Il physician towards a general
practitioner, "What can do for YOU"
Nothing. thanks said the little man,
briskly; but you can do yourself Il turn.
if YOU are so disposed"
'What do you mean?" inquired Dr
Jones, a triile taken aback.
"Ballnyre has asked me to 90 up to
llighbury to give certificate of insanity.
and. rs he suggested that you might ais
he willing to take the job, called 10 curry
YOU along with me, returned DR. Graves,
batting his hand, under his coat-tails and
warming himself at the fire.
well, am always glad 40 ohligc Dr.
Balinyrc, but pom my word it is rather in
conyicnt," said Dr. Jones with Importance.
but avoiding his companions twinkling
eyes. Il expect half a dozen people here.
just The busiest time in the day too" hc
conf inuod, gl1ncing at his watch.
THEY haven't come yet. and rs til,
weather IS bad | dare say theyN put il
off till TO morrow said little Mr.. Grave
with quiet smile.
~ here did You say the place was
ilichbury That is a long way OH" salt
DR.. Jones, cndcavoring to appear quit,
mmoVed.
.Wr shan be back in less than an hour
NV carriage is at the door" returned Mr.
Graves, little impaticntly.
.Wcll rs have said, should be sorr!
to disobli.e Balnyre and as for my pa
ticnts, If they don't keep their time, they
must vail said DIR, Jones, opening The
door 10 his visitor, and signifymg that h
would accompany him.
He felt relieved to escape the quiet ant
penetrating gaze of little Mr.. Graves, fo
he Was painfully conscious that his nj
tempted air Of superiority had been fail
urc. OF course, he was only too glad o
the opportunity OF earning couple o
uuinc,s on dull morning, but 1t was con
trary to his cred to allow anyone to sd,
pcct It. Above all, he considered il c,
scntisl to his dignity rs Q physician TO NJ
pear a lri.e condescendingMto a gcner.
practitioner; aud he honestly felt atwing
of contempt for p, or little Mr. Graves
He might be clever enouyh-snd. indcct