The Press., 1888-09-06
THE COUNTRY DOCTOR.

like treatment-stood . dilapidated log cabin, partially inclosed by rickety fence, the pickets of which were of unequal lengths, and here and there leaned in or out, as if about to lay themselves down on the ground, ; tired of being swayed back and forth by every rough wind that blew. In the little space inclossd by this fence were few col- lard plants, their lean stalks-that had run up to a height of three and four feet, with . tuft of green leaves at the top-having some what the appearance of dwarf palm trees; and several rows of dead cornstalks, around which twined thfhj sickly COW pea vines, like hopeless poverty cfinging to the dead past.
 It was early morning-the dew was still glistening on the green collard leaves-when >Dr. Meredith rode up to this cabin, and dis. mounting fastened his horse to 0 little scrub oak that grew near the door. The doctor was fine looking man, about 30 years of age, tall, broad shouldered, with dark com plexion, black hair and beard, and full dark eyes, in which the light of intelligence shone as Q beacon of hope to the sick and wretched who had the good fortune to fall under his ministratiOns. He was only 6 country doc tor-One of those men who sacrifice their lives for the good of poor humanity, whose
  but he was we'll worthy to stand as the peer of any of his brethren, whose fees, bestowed by the grateful rich for services not % great as his has been in the aggregate, had swelled their bank accounts to Q comfortable figure
 He had come now to attend a poor girl only to see her die, he knew, and then to bury her at his own expense; but the thought that his errand was to be altogether 9ruitless in every way, never occurred to him, es he took his medicine eases, which hung over his saddle like saddle bags, on his arm and en- tered the cabin.
 It was Q poor place-ft fairly rocked with poverty. Two Or three articles of the com monest kind of furniture, pot and frying pan that stood on the hearth in front of . wide clay fireplace, and a tin pan. 6 few plates and two cups on the shelf of cup board, the door of which was gone, and where the flies, early as it was, were swarm ing around bit of uncooked bacon, and the halt of cake of corn bread, were the acces- Sories of the direst, most hopeless poverty.
 On q rude bedstead, that stood near the open sashless window, lay tho invalid. She lay perfectly still, with her eyes closed, her black hair scattered in tangled masses on the coarse sheet and pillow, and but for the little moan that came from her half open lips at regular intervals ono would have thought her already dead. .~~--
 A woman in her own rank in Mfe-A com- mon woman with sorrowful face-a faco marked with those lines which constant, never eeasing distress always leaves there- lfa pf rs fse nS sss thsas Js was cold-the weather was warm and pleas ant-but from the force of habit It seemed to her the right place to ait, winter or sum- m6r. %', .
 The doctor, as soon a he entered tho room, went to the bedside and examined his patient.
 Unlike the generality of her class, whose features are almost invariably coarse and irregular, seldom pretty, often ropulsive, this girl was beautiful, with features as delicate and clearly cut as those of Greek statue.
 From her the doctor turned to the woman with an inquiring glance. She said nothing, but pointed to pine table that stood in Q corner of the room, on which there was some thing covered with coarse piece of cloth. He went to the table, and, lifting the cloth, looked under 1t.
 ''How long did it Nveq" hO asked, turning once more to the woman.
 ''Not a minute, doctor" was the reply; sit jes' give c gulp, 50, an' was gone"
 "It is better SO" murmured the doctor.
 ''I reckin it be, ," said tho woman, who over- heard the remark, though 1t was not intended for her ears. "Ef she was to die-an' she's like to, ain't she1" looking earnestly fin Dr. Ieredith's face.
 "Yes."
 ''Then thar'd be nobody to kier fur 1t, yer 0ee."
 The doctor said nothing He was thinking of the father of that ifeless atom. He had been found dead-murdered, probably, by some jealous rival-thO day before in a deep gully not far from the cabin, the girl, almost dead herself, lying on his body, and clinging to it with such tenacity that 1t had been diff 6cult to remove hers. The man had been . reckless Scapegrace, belonging to Q good family, but preferring the companionship of the low and vicious. He had run through with s moderate fortune, and then gradually sunk to the level, socially, of those whom, in the hours of. debauchery, he had chosen for his associates.
 Such was the story of the man Of the antecedents of the girl little was known. She was not . native of that part of the country, but had come there about year bafore, accompanied by her brother, c little, dried up specimen Of humanity about IS years of age, hut who looked as though ho might be 50, 90 wrinkled was his sallow, weazen face. so dull his light blue eyes. Tho two had taken up their abode in the old cabin, that had been tenantless for some time, and three months later Tom Stanard, the murdered man, had likewise made 1t his domicile.
 The doctor, leaving directions with the woman to prepare the infant for burial, rode away, saying he would be back before night fall In the meantime she could continue to give the mother the medicine prepared dur Ing his former visit; 1t would ease her pain, and that was all that he could hope to do for her.
 When he returned just before sunset the woman met him at the door.
 "Wen, Mrs Turner" he said, "what of your patient"
 ''She pear to be mendin' leetle, doc tor" was the reply, and there was Q hopeful look In the poor womAn'S eyes.
 "What makes you think sof'
 ''She seem to have more sense like, ans lows she mus be some better"
 The doctor went to the bedside and took tho girls wrist in his hand It was very thin, and he held it gently while he gazed in the pale faco of the patient, who was talking as if in her sleep. Then he shook his head. Soon, very soon, mother and babe would bo together. The two, 90 near akin, had navee known each other in this hfe-what beyond9
 The girl opened her ayes-large, dark, melancholy syas they were-while Dr. Mere dith was bending over her, and looked in his face.
 'sBe 1t you, doctOrF' she sAid, with voice scarcely audible. s'an' did yer want to SO Torhf Well he ain't here now, but reckon he'll b. here ESrec'ly.s