The Russellville Democrat., 1889-10-03


 "Oh, come, nowl Don't let us have any of that sort of socialistic stuff l thought you had some sense. said l.
 "ICs so, though. all the same, con tinued he, Just by way of illustra- tion-as Q study in social science, say look at the patients who flock to the Dives of our beloved profession, and then at those who come to sec poor Lazaruses, or Lazari, or Lazaroni-- hang it. what is the plural of Lazarus anyhowP We'll, whatever 1t is, you and I belong 10 it, professionally, you know.
 laughed in spite of myself, while replied:
 Monsieur Jenkins, you love to talk, but you know as well as l that Dives, as you call him collectively. has. nine times out of ten. made his way up to his present eminence through the same channels you and l are steering the craft slowly along.
 Where would be the justice in ex- pecting a man who had patiently worked his way, and slowly built the reputation on which he now stands, having to compete on equal terms with unknown tyros like those of which, with all respect to my audience, the present gathering in my office is com posed?"
 Well, possibly there iS a moiety Of truth in your philosophy, my friend, though it is not always easy to reason it out in cold blood while the carriage | Of Dives throws it's dust over me"
 ''I, for one, wish the patients and the reputation, and incidentally, of course, the shexels for which l labor and wait, wouldn't tarry so long in the coming
 What sort of material do you and l get on which to build that reputation for which we pine?"
 "Why, there's the washer lady's boy with his broken leg-a good piece of surgery, too. by the way, but who'll ever know of it?"
 And then there's Mistress Maho- ney's little girl with the plaster jack et-professional services gratuitous, as n matter of course. Fine show | ing for two'and a half years of patient and conscientious labor of waiting,' isn't it? What can you show to offset it, my professional friend!' and Jen- kins laughed lazily.
 ''An equally distinguished and prom ising list: The colored woman's rachitic child, and her paralytic hus- banda bedizened house-maid with wrist-drop from using lead cosmetics, although she vigorously protests her complexion was her own'-and few l others of the same strata--"
 " es, I confess, Jenkins. I do begin to long for call. at least to a patient living in a good street. in a good house, wearing good clothes, and with 1 a comfortable bank account I'm get ting little weary of hunting up and ministering to distress in the alleys, admit
 Jenkins half-closed his eyes and blew a long puff of smoke from his pursed- up lips. He watched it moment dreamily, and said:
 "Ah, beatifc vision! I see the re- nowned Dr. Brown tripping up the steps of a Broad-street mansion. A liveried servant admits him. He is shown into a darkened chamber, where, on couch of pain, etc., a white haired man losses uneasily, White haired man sinks rapidly-but that is owing to no lack of skill on the part oi 1 the renowned Dr. Brown-it is but lowing to the inevitable. White haired man dies, but so great has be- come his love for the good Dr. Brown that he makes him his heir. Dr. Brown | places a becoming taken of mourning l on his hat, sets up handsome carriage and rides on to fame and fortune"
 Cheering enough, surely, but, Jenkins, you've forgotten that a prophet was not without honor save in his own country returned Lidly.
 Jenkins started up suddenly, upset ting the chair on which his feet had | reposed.
 The door had opened noiselessly, and a slight womanly figure, stylishly clad in dark gray costume, stood hesitat- ingly on the threshold.
 II beg pardon-but the servant said l should find Dr. Brown in his office. Finding the door aiar l entered. Do l intruder" looking inquiringly from one to the other
 By no means. madam. Be seated, pray."a
 I had sprung hastily to my feet, and was proffering her a chair.
 Her voice was soft and low. and gently modulated. Her voice, the neatly -gloved hand, the quiet, tasteful costume, the very manner with whicl she dropped into the proffered chair bespoke the lady.
 Turning to my friend, who wa' hastily preparing for departure. l sait -I know l shall be forgiven for it:
 Tn meet you there, then, in con sultation, at--let me sec, tomorrow ii a pretty full day-how will ten o'clocl do?"
 "Finely y-suits me exactly"
 accompanied him to the stree door.
 1t has come, old fellow. Th' prophet claims his honor. A littl' blunder regarding the sex of you patient and few Of the minor details perhaps; but you can't expect novie' in prophecy to get all the minutia straight
 . ..Adieu! Come and report to mo q