Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-09-28
Gales and Sketfhfs.
QUEER STORY.
An ASCENDING BANKRUPT.

DIR, Clarence Jones was an enterprlSlng
young gentleman who meant to succeed
in his profession. He was not clever in
the sense of being we'll read, and. in fact,
he had only just managed to scrape
through the qualifying examinations.
But he did not aspire to scientific distinc-
ton. and took no higher view of his call
ing than to regard it as means by which
he might possibly make fortune. He
considered that he would only be wasting
valuable time by seeking a hospital APP
pointment TOR the sake OF gaining expert.
ence. Instead. therefore. of going through
the routine of young doctors early ca
reer, he took the bold step of renting the
ground floor of large house in fashion
able quarter. and setting up Immediately
as consulting physician. He was shrewd
enough to perceive that he was best quail
fed to succeed in that branch of practice.
being at heart mere charlatan. He had
acquired the art of making great show
of smattering of knowledge; he had
carefully cultivated bland and impress
sve manner, and he thoroughly realized
that the great secret of amassing wealth
is to be utterly INSCRIPTIONS in the matter
of fees. and never to release patient
while he can be imposed upon by humbug.
AS though to aid his ambitious designs,
nature had endowed him with a good pres
ence, high and shining forehead, which
was enhanced by premature badness. and
a soft, melodious voice.
He found it uphill work at first, of
course; but he had no real cause for dis
satisfaction, He went as much as posi-
BILE 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 sagacity by assidu-
ously counting the suffrages of lady ac-
quaintances. The consequence was that
patients soon made their appearance,
while neighboring doctors, owing to do
nestle influence, found many opportuni
ties of putting stray guineas into his peck
ct. In very short time he contrived to
gain the reputation of having established
practice and soon came to be regarded
as rising man.
DR.. Clarence Jones did not hide his light
under bushel. but was rather addicted to
boasting of his success. Some of his pro-
tessonal bretheren smiled at this, know
ing from experience how slow and labor
ious is the work of making remunerative
practice. But the wisdom of his tactics
was proved by the fact that even these
sceptics had no suspicion of the real con-
dition of affairs The truth was, that at
the end of three years DR.. Jones found
himself hopelessly in debt, his profession
al earnings having fallen far short every
year of his modest requirements. His
practice was increasing, to be sure, and in
all human probability the time was not
far distant when it would yield him a de-
cent income /; but meanwhile, just as it was
more than ever necessary to keep up APP
pearances. bankruptcy and ruin stared him
in the face. He had spent his small cap
ital, creditors were pressing. and he was
literally reduced to providing for his daily
wants by surreptiously pawning his per-
sonal effects.
In such circumstances an elastic con-
science is often a useful ally. Young DR..
Jones having no scruples whatever on the
subject of his liabilities, was enabled to
devote all his energies to the difficult task
of evading them. He was quite unmoved
by his tailor's pathetic appeals, white he
succeeded by sound argument in convinc-
ing that long-suffering individual that his
only chance of getting paid was to wait.
But his powers of reasonings and persua-
sion, though efficacious in some cases,
often proved unavailing, so that the air
became darkened with writs and legal
processes. The poor young man was thus
fairly driven to his wits end, and saw no
alternative but to make known his embar-
easements. and thereby ieopardize the sue
cess which had almost seemed to be with
in his grasp.
One morning DR.. Jones was gioomly
seated in his consulting-room, waiting for
patients, when there came a knock at the
door, and a little. shabbily dressed,
dright-eyed, elderly man was presently
ushered in. DR.. Jones greeted his visitor
with mingled feelings, being disappointed
not a sherif's officer.
GLOW are you, Mr.. Graves" he said,
instinctively adopting the condcscending
tone of a physician towards a general
practitioner. What can do for you?"
Nothing, thanks" said the little man,
briskly; but you can do yourself turn.
if you are so disposed"
What do you meanp" inquired DR..
Jones trifle taken back
"Bamyre has asked me to 90 up to
Highbury to give a certificate of insanity,
and as he suggested that you might also
be willing to take the job, | called to carry
YOU along with me. returned DR.. Graves,
putting his hands under his coat-tails, and
warming himself before the fire.
''Well, | am always glad to oblige DR..
Balmyre, but pom my word it is rather
inconvenient,' said DR.. Jones with i'm
portance. but avoiding his companions
twinkling eyes. Il expect half dozen
people here. Just the busiest time in the
day. too" he added glancing at his watch.
They haven't come yet, and as the
weather is bad. daresay they'll put it off
till tomorrow" said little Mr.. Graves,
with quiet smile.
Where did you say the place was?
Highbury! That is long way off, said
DR.. Jones, endeavoring to look quite un-
moved.
1--WE shall he back in less than an hour.
My carriage is at the door," returned Mr..
Graves, little impatiently.
"Well. as have said. | should be sor-
nv to dsoblige Balmyre; and as for nv
patients, if they don't keep their time.
they must wait" said Dr. Jones. opening
the door to his visitor. and signifving that
he would accompany him.
He felt relieved to escape the quiet and
penetrating gaze of little Mr.. Graves. for
he was painfully conscious that his at