The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-02-27


elements grew Desperate and hghte
his rift Aftsr the first pun ! really
hoped that should Be STRICKEN b. hght-
Il ming.
The shower had cleared away - w
drew up before low rooted, red painted
cottage surrounded by trees. A vary
pretty girl opened the door to the doc
-. while continued my occupation Of
l-,iding mare that would mot have run
sway under the impulEon Of dynamite
bomb. My friend returned after the ex-
piration Of an exceedingly short time.
Nobody sick in there" he remarked;
can old woman nervous, that's all.
"How oldT" asked anxiously.
"One hundred and six. She's be-
ginning to grow somewhat supersensi-
tive"
On our return to the Office we found
several patients waiting for the dis
penser Of potions, pills and powders
My doctor SPENT an hour or more reliev-
ing the aches and pains that had sought
him out. Then we had supper. Before
the meal was over the telephone rang
| again. The man Of science serenely
abandoned his cold ham and iced tea,
and could hear him say:
eyes; give the baby two drops at H.
"He1loi No, don't wake her up during
the night. II she's restless at sunrise
rub her with oil That's all. Goodby."
/ Before he could resume his supper a
/ patient rang the Office bell. Ny doctor
was engaged for hour. When he re-
| Joined me on the piazza the mare was at
the door.
more calls?" / asked.
/ "Yes, of course; always spend the
| evening ON the road"
We are gone until II o'clock. The
roads we trayersed, the darkness Of the
woods, the dreary barking Of watch dogs
are to me like an unpleasant dream.
| We returned to the Office tired and worn.
The doctor looked pale, and supposed
/ Of course that he would go at once to
bed. What was my establishment to see
him place upon his desk number Of
account books.
is not your days work doner !
asked.
He smiled hopelessly. "Just begun,
my boy. If didn't work now the re-
suit Of the last twenty-four hours would
amount to nothing in dollars and cents.
Then he spent half an hour in making
notes for his days labor. watched him
with an emotion that was almost rev.
erential Here, If anywhere, was a man.
Subduing all inclinations toward friv-
olity or even healthy recreation, he goes
on his way day after day, applying as
skillfully as he can the scientific knowl-
edge in his grasp.
For him there is no night, no Sunday,
| no vacation; always fighting death be
gives up his life to the conflict. And
what does he find? Testy patients,/ ig-
norant people who neglect his commands
ungrateful fools who seem to think that
he is slave to their demands, men and
women who look for miracles and do not
know that even doctor cannot always
stay the hand of Terror's King.
"And now for bedl" exclaimed, as he
4 laid aside his books.
mot yet. I must have my case re-
filed"
i Out into the night again. Near at
hand light gleams1n the window of a
drug store. A sleepy clerk answered
our knock, and i'll few minutes my
doctor was busy with the bottles on the
shelf. He waS at work fully half an
hour. In his case he carried fifty phials
Many Of the/ drugs had been exhausted
in the days routine, and the act of re-
plenishing took time. yawned and
fretted, but the doctor seemed to feel no
fatigue, He is made of iron" said to
myself as he strobe homeward with q
firm and even tread.
/ mad almost fallen to sleep later on
when heard some one descending the
stairs. 1t was IL o'clock.
" sWhere are you going" asked, as
4 recognized the doctors portly form.
/ "Into the Office for an hour" he re-
marked. "This is the only time in which
i ! have a chance to do my scientific read
ing"
went back to bed, but / could not
sleep. was wondering how much my
friend made a year. At breakfast the
next morning / said:
doctor, don't want to be imperti-
nent, but will you kindly tell me how
much your practice pays your
He smiled quizzically as he answered:
Il earn $1,000 year. l collect about
5000. Hartford Times.
4