Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1885-05-29
A False Friend.


/ returned only three months ago from
Melbourne, where had been in prac-
tice as q surgeon for about ten years. I
stood so we'll in the front rank Of my
profession that when q gentleman who
held very high political rank in Victoria
met with a severe and ultimately fatal
accident, / was called in to attend him.
suppress his name for reasons which
viii be obvious later on bnt for con-
venience ! viii call him Sir James
Reilly.
Sir James was one Of the largest land
and stock holders in the colony. When
knew him, no man In Australia was
more respected or looked up TO. He
had been knighted as small reward for
bis services as q colonial minister he
had received all kinds of gratifying tes-
timonials from his fellow-citizens his
word in all the transactions of life was
as good as another mans bond and
yet Sir James, forty years before, had
come to Australia as q convict. on
account Of the disgraceful crime Of for
gerry.
Sir James lived in q beautiful house
distant q few miles from the center Of
the city. In spite Of his seventy years
he was good and active hors6fnan !:
and one morning, as was his freouenf
custom, he rode into Melbourne IN order
to transact some business with his
solicitor. He had quilted the lawyers
Office, and was already half way home
again, when his horse was frightened by
some blasting operations which we're be-
ing carried on In connection with the
making Of q new road. The animal be-
came FESTIVE, and finally threw Sir
James. He fell heavily upon q heap of
stones, and his groom coming up found
him lying insensible. The unfortunate
gentleman, who was we'll known to
everyone in the neighborhood, was ten
derby carried TO the nearest house and
no sooner did he regain consciousness
than he sent his servant for his carriage,
aud dispatched q messenger to request
me to 60 at once to his house. rode
thither Immediately, and reached the
place before Sir James's arrival
feared, of course, that he had met with
an accident; but had not the faintest
idea Of the nature Of il and therefore I
was greatly shocked when, few min
ukes later, I saw him lifted from his
carriage, helpless and well.nigh speech
less. He was conveyed to his bedroom,
which was upon the ground floor and
upon examining him discovered that
several Of his ribs we're broken, that the
internal organs had been injured and that
there was. practically speaking, no hope
Of his recovery. Sir James was bach
elor, and had no female relatives in the
colony. He might live, / knew, for
some days and &c his housekeeper.
though kind and thoughtful woman.
was far too advanced In years 30 be Capa-
bic Of properly attending upon her un-
fortunate master, sent the groom back
10 Melbourne for an experienced hospi-
I'll nurse. and IN the meantime re-
manned with my distinguished patient
and did all that lay "a my power for
him.
SIR James had tainted during his re-
moval from the carriage 10 the house,
and he did not regain the use Of his
senses for some hours afkerward. was
sitting by his bedside when he opened
his eyes.
80 I'm not gone yet. doctor. he
said, with weird kind og hunaor. ssCan
this last for long ?"
who can Say r. I replied. ssYou Gre
sadly hurt Are you ia mnch PAM
"No. thank God In pain. but not
IN severe PAIN.
II should warn you. 2 said. a. gently
as could, sskhat e ron have any world
IL affairs 80 settle. you should settle
tnem speedily There j. gEiepous dan.
at 49,. = = .s- -