The Portland daily press., 1892-01-20

elements l grew desperate and lighted
his gift. After the first puff l really
hoped that I should be stricken by light
ming.
The shower had cleared away as we
drew up before low rooted, red painted
cottage surrounded by trees. A very
pretty girl opened the door to the doc
tor, while I continued my occupation OF
holding mare that would not have run
away under the impulsion of dynamite
bomb. My friend returned after the ex-
piration of an exceedingly short time.
s'Nobody sick in there" he remarked;
san old woman nervous, that's ALL
GLOW old?" asked anxiously.
"One hundred and six. She's be-
ginning to grow somewhat supersensl-
tive"
On our return to the Office we found
several rotients waiting for the dis
penser of potions, pills and powders.
My doctor spent an hour or more rellev-
ing the aches and pains that had sought
him out. Then we had supper. Before
the meal was over the telephone rang
agcin. 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."
"Hello! No, don't wake her up during
the night. If she's restless at sunrise
rub her with oil. That's all. Goodby."
Before he could resume his supper
patient rang the Office bell. My doctor
was engaged for hour. When he re-
Joined me on the piazza the mare was at
the door.
ssNIore calls?" asked.
eyes, of course; I always spend the
evening on the road.
We are gone until ii o'clock. The
roads we traversed, 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 astonishment to see
him place upon his desk number of
account books.
sis not your days work done?" l
asked.
He smiled hopelessly. "Just begun,
my boy. If I 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. l watched him
with an emotion that was almost rev.
erential. Here, if anywhere, was 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 he
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.
.sAnd now for bedr' exclaimed, as he
laid aside his books.
"Not yet. I must have my case re-
filed"
Out into the night again. Near at
hand light CLEANS in the window of a
drug store. A sleepy clerk answered
our knock, and in 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. I yawned and
fretted, but the doctor seemed to feel no
fatigue. 'sHe is made of iron," I said to
myself as he strobe homeward with
firm and even tread.
I had almost fallen to sleep later on
when I heard some one descending the
stairs 1t was 12 o'clock.
"Where are you going? asked, as I
recognized the doctors portly form.
'Into the Office for an hour" he re-
marked. ssThis is the only time in which
have chance to do my scientific read
ing"
I went back to bed, but could not
sleep. I 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 you?"
He smiled quizzically as he answered.:
'sI earn $4,000 a year. Icollect about
5000" ."-Hartford Times.