The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-01-21
FOR SERVICES RENDERED.
THE BILL WHICH 4 YOUNG DOCTOR
TEND1REO.
The Remarkable Charge for Saving a
Young Lady's Lifc-A Romantic
Story from Chicago.

hOunR LdOy'S Lllc-A OuldLtA
Story from Chicago.
A romantic little story reached the ears
of a reporter for the Chicago Inter- Ocean
the other day. 1t touches on sickness,
pills and love. A certain charming
young lady living in one of the southern
suburbs was taken seriously i'll. Her
parents, WHO are quite wealthy, employed
the best medical talent ~obtainablc, but
the worthy disciples of medicine who ex-
amined her pronounced her case to be
incurable, and said that she was beyond
human aid.
The parents were in despair: BY some
accident the father heard of a young
doctor who but very recently located in
the village, and whose list of patients
was not at all large, but who had ever
given satisfaction when called upon.
He was asked to see the sick girl. He
called, looked at the patient steadily,
then turned to the anxious parents and
said, firmly and decisively:
can save your daughter"
''Do you think so?" was the excited
query.
II know so ~ wa the positive an
swer.
"Savc my daughter and name your
price for your services" exclaimed the
loving father.
"Then l must have entire charge ofthe
casc," said the young doctor.
AS the other doctors had given no en-
couragement whatever for her recovery
the case was readily placed in the young
physicians hands. He went to work pa
tiently, earnestly; took entire charge of
his fair patient; watched over her day
and night. In O week she began to i'm
prove; two weeks found her out of dan
ger; in three weeks she could sit up, and
at the end of four weeks she was we'll
and could take long drives with her de-
voted doctor. He had indeed redeemed
his pledge-had saved his charge.
One day, after the C omplete recovery
of the young lady was positively as
sured, the father called the young doc
tor into his library. Taking him by the
hand, he said:
"Young man, you have saved my
daughter. I told you that if you did sc
you would be compensated at whatever
price you chose to fix your services. I
am now ready to carry out my part of
the agreement, as YOU have so nobly done
your work"
"Do you really wish To pay me my
own price?' asked the young doctor,
anxiously.
'tIndeed 7 do. SIR
"Then 1 ask you to give your daughter
to me in marriage" was the unexpected
request.
The old gentleman was naturally a
little astonished at the nature of the
answer. He hesitated q moment, then
touched a bell. A servant answered.
Tell Hattie to step here" was the
command.
In q minute the daughter entered the
room. The father and the young doctor
stood facing n another.
Hattie" said the old gentleman "do
you feel that you have fully recovered2"
81 am as we'll as ever, father"
"Do you imagine what your doctor
wishes in compensation for his services
in saving your life?" was the sternly put
question.
NO." said the girl. ~anxiously; ''but
l am sure he deserves anything reason
able"
"But l consider his charge extortion-
ate" was the emphatic rejoinder.
"What is it, father2 I feel sure that
Doctor - would not be unreasonable"
mot unreasonable? Why, Hattie,
he asks that I consent to his making you
his wife. What have you to say to
that?"
Hattie blushed violently for a moment;
her little foot played with the rug
on the floor, then looking up archly, first
at her father and then to the young doc
tor who had meantime uttered no word,
she said:
"You say, father, when l was sick all
the other doctors gave me up and as
sured me Of nothing but death?"
Eyes, my daughter"
"And Doctor - took my case under
those circumstances, told you he would
save me, and nursed me back to health
and life2"
eyes"
"Then, father, it strikes me that if |
was an auditing committee, and had to
pass upon this bill, I'd argue that the
one who brought mt back to my health
from apparent death would be pretty
safe for me to be intrusted to when
health was fully regained. I would
check his bill o. X, and say nothing
about extortionate charges"
The wedding will be duly celebrated
in a very short time.