The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1886-01-15
Q e e r ST RY.
AN ABscoNpINo BANKRUPT.
Concluded merit tceek.)

sion. He was not clever in the sense Of bsiue
well.read, and, in fact, ho had only just man
aged to scrare through tho qualifying examin-
ations. But he did not aspire TO scientific
distinction, and took no higher view Of his
calling than to regard II as means by which
he might possibly make fortune. He consid-
cred that no would only no wasting valuable
time by seeking hospital .appointment for the
sake Of gaining experience. Instead, therefore,
Of going through the routine Of younE doc.
tors early career, he took the bold step Of rent
ing the ground aoor Of largo house in . flask
ionable quarter, and setting up Immediately ~
consulting physician. He was shrewd enough
to perceive that he was best qualified TO succeed
in that branch of practice, being at heart
mere charlatan. He had acquired the art of
making great show of . smattering Of knowl-
edge; he had carefully cultivated bland and
impressive manner, and he thoroughly realised
that the great secret Of amassiug wealth is to
be INSCRIPTIONS in the matter of fees, and
never to release a patient while he can be Inn
posed upon by humbug. As though to sill his
ambitious designs, nature had endowed him
with good presence, high and shining fore
head, which was enhanced by premature bald
ness, and a soft, melodious voice.
He found it uphill work at first, Of course
but he had no real cause for dissstisfaotion.
He went as much as possible into society, and
made useful friends. He was always particu.
larly careful to be polite aud attentive to the
wives and daughters of physicians In good
practice In fact, he showed his saxscity by
sssiduously courting the suffrages Of lady
acquaintances. Tho consequences vas that
patients soon made their appearance, while
neighboring doctors, owing to domestic infu-
encs, found many opportunities Of puttg stray
guineas into his pocket. In a very short time
II contrived to gain the reputation Of having
established practice, and soon eame to be
regarded as rising man.
DR.. Caence Jones did not hide his light
under bus,el, but was rather addicted to
boasting OF his success. Some of his profss.
sional brethren sailed at this, knowing from
experience now slo" and laboriops is the work
OF making remunef>iive practice. But the
wisdom OF his tactics wa proved by tho fact
that even these sceptics had 10 suspicion Of tho
real condition of affairs. Tho truth WAS. that
at the end of three years DR.. Jo,as found him
self hspeicssly in-dsbt, his profsssou,t earn.
ings having fallen far short evory y>r Of hi.
modest requirements. His practice was tscrsss.
Ing, to be sure, and in all human probaal;,v
the time was not far distant when II would yie.,
him q decent income but meanwhile. just II
it was more than ever necessary to keep up
appearances, bankruptcy and ruin stared him
in the face. He had spent his small ospital
creditors were pressing, and he was literally
reduced to providing for his daily wants BY
surreptitiously pawning his personal effects.
In such circumstances an elastic conscience
is often useful ally. Young DIR: Jones having
no scruples whatever on his liabilities, wa,
enabled to devote oil his energies TO the diai
cult task Of evading them. He was quite un
moved by his tailor's pathetic appeals, while b.
succeeded by sound argument in eonvinciul
that long-suffering individual that his onl,
chance Of getting paid was to wait. But hi
powers of reasoning and persuasion, thougl
effcacious in some cases, often proved unavail
ing, so that the air became dsrkened with writ
and legal processes. The poor young man wa
thus fairly driven to his wits end, snd saw NJ
alternative but to make known his embarrsss
ments, and thereby jeopardi.ei tho sucees
which had almost seemed to be within his grasp
One morning DR.. Jones was gloomily seats,
in his consulting-room, waiting for patients
when there came knock at the door, and
little, shabby dressed, bright-eysd, elderly maj
was presently ushered in. Dr. Jones grsste
his visitor with mingled fee.ings, being disap
pointed of q patient, yet relieved to 6nd h
was not sherf's officer.
How are you, Mr.: Grsves2 2 he said, in
stinctively adopting the condescending tone Q
physician towards 8 general practitioner
what can do for you9'
Nothing, thanks said the little man, brisk
ly; but you can do yourself turn, IL you ar
90 disposed 10
'whs. do you mean q isauirsd Dr. Jones. ,,
triAs taken hack. S
Balmyre has asked me 10 30 up To Highbury
TO give certificate Of insanity. and, a. he sua
gested that you might also be willing to tax
the job, called to carry you along with me,
returned Or. Graves, putting his hands unde
his coat-tails, and warming himself before th
FIRE.
We'll, I am always glad to oblige DR.. Ba
myre, but pom my word 1t 10 rather ineony,
nient,' said Dr.. Jones with importance, bu
avoiding his companions twinkling syss. :.
expect half dozen people here. Just Ii
busiest time in the day, too hs added, gianein
at his watch.
They haven't come yet, and as the wsathe
is bad, I daresay they'll put Il of till tome,
row., said little Mr.. Graves, with . quiet smil,
where did you say the place wasi' Higl
bury That is long way off, said DIR. Jene,
endeavoring to look quite nnmoved.
W. al he bact In, La. 49,. h.rS - 4 -..-