River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-03-27

hospital. Suppose he wanted me 70 do
some legal work for him, or TO write TO
his friends? Then i coaxed myself into
thinking it was perhaps not visiting-day
az St Luke's l knew there was some
red tape about people getting in to see
the patients, but that was absurd rich
Tom Maxwell was in a private room
with a half dozen nurses at his call, and
if he was well enough 10 see friends a
regiment could march in and no one
would oppose.
well, 10 make long story short. my
work was all broken up, and made up
my mind to call on Tom. l sent for a
cab, and in a short time was in the re-
ception-rocm at the hospital. / had
never been in such an establishment be-
fore, and felt quite like a sick man as
I sat waiting; I really was nervous.
After short delay a pleasantfaced
young fellow came in. He was the
house-surgeOn, though I pledge you
my word l thought he was some young
medical student. He bowed. introduced
himself. and then said: You came to
see Tom Maxwell, belieye.'
"His tone struck me as fiippant. and
il certainly was disrespectful to speak
of a man like Thomas Maxwell in that
way; so l answered. stifiy: Yes, Mr..
Maxwell and I. though not intimate
friends, have been more or less togeth-
er. have just heard of his injury, and
wished TO inquire for him.
There was an air of amusement
about the young doctor as he asked:
IL. -
well?'-he laid unnecessary emphasis on
the Mr..
II bridled Immediately and replied:
1 do not know to a fraction OF time
when l last saw him; but may beg,
sir. to ask if it is always necessary to
be crOss-examined when visiting pa
tients?'
Mot at all, sir. he answered, very
quickly. i beg pardon, but really there
must be some mistake; would you mind
telling me what position Maxwell filled
when you last saw him?'
Il was thunderingly angry by that
time, but controlled myself sufficiently
10 say: 4 decline TO answer your ques-
tion. You evidently do not know a
gentleman when you see one. AIR.
Maxwell is a gentleman in every sense
OF the word
Then, Dan. if you could have heard
that fellow laughter a moment he
could not speak; and was Just leaving
the room when he managed 70 gasp
out; Mr.. Keith, you have been the vic
tim Of a practical Joke 1t is decided
case Of mistaken identity, am sure;
for this Tom Maxwell is a drunken.
well-known bruiSer of the West side.
This is the second time he has come
here suffering from injuries received in
some street brawl.'
1T was my turn now TO beg the young
doctors pardon. and we shook hands
heartily in honor of the explanation. Il
was one Of Streeter's Jokes. and was
an April Fool and a mad one, can
tell you. Streeter's story was true. how
ever. as far as names went; for when
the fellow was picked up. not far from
the hospital. he was yelling Justify for
Phil, Phil, tough who had knocked
him down and had since been sent up
Tor six months found the young doc /
tor very clever and entertaining, and /,
when he proposed should take my first /
tour OF hospital inspection consented. I
1T YOU have never been TO St Luke's, /
,r any other hospital. just go. and you /
will agree with me that they are models /
II neatness ana efficiency, as far as one 4
'ould judge, in every department I ]
aw the whole business; went into the 1
examined the surgical
and every thing OF Interest
n the mems ward had the pleasure OF
eeing my rissd Tom Maxwell.
Ough. read-headed. coarse-ieatured fell
Ow as ever you saw. The doctor stopped
y his cot wished him good afternoon,
nd asked how be felt