Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-01-28
THE NEW DOCTOR.
BY TON P. MORGAN.

Il
cred in the single room of the combined
real estate, loan, insurance and collection
office and bachelor residence of the
speaker. ave are confronted by an
epoch. Heretofore il has been our policy
to welcome immigration with open arms
so to speak, but now the time has ar.
tived for the exercise of discretion.
What do you think, Fanshaw?"
/ reckon" returned Mr.. Hank Fan
shaw, sententiously.
"Thats So" assented Mr.. Ike Eos.
dick. "The new doctor will have Ia
CO."
Messrs. Banning and Benson wagged
their heads in affirmation.
EXACTLY !" resumed the colonel
While working for the advancement OF
our city as whole, we must also con-
slider the best interests of its citizens in
the abstract"
ShorelyW said Ike Fosdick, briskly.
AN We'll stand by Harry. The new
doctor will have to 60"
"Mebby he'll try to cut up rusty
began Banning.
"Let him cut!' broke in Fosdick.
"We're able for him"
As the ancient adage has il, two of a
trade rarely agree. But it is rare indeed
that one ofany trade or profession is pos
sessed of partisans so prejudiced that
they will voluntarily take it upon them
selves to purge his path of professional
rivalry. Equally unprecedented was the
determination of these five prominent
citizens of New Chicago settlement
as yet tiny almost to insignifcance, but
big with hope of future greatness to
deliberately deprive its census roll of an
addition who might perhaps prove us
prominent as themselves and factor in
the advancement of the hamlet toward
that desideratum of all Western settle
ments-a boom. Then, too. it was little
short of amazing that Colonel Pride-a
self-convicted legislator in embryo
should coolly turn back an INFESTED
conner in whom, for all he knew, might
be tho material Of which active par
tisans are made.
Conflicting representatives Of other
professions would probably have been
left to settle their differences after the
good old fashion of the Kilkenny cats, OF
otherwise as they might elect. But now
that the professional bailiwick of DIR.
Harry Wakefield was trespassed upon
the matter was not one that concerned
the young physician alone, but his
friends as well. Should they stand
tamely by while an alien interloper was
endeavoring TO possess himself of the
position and practice rightfully belong
ing to DIR. Harry? They emphaticalIy
'reckoned" not. DIR. Harry had "stood
by New Chicago in its direst need, and
New Chicago, represented by Messrs
Pride, Fosdick, Fanshaw. Banning ant
Benson, would "stand by" him.
Two years before had come the time OF
New Chicago's dire need. A poor wretch
in deadly terror of dying alone, haC
drifted thither and thrown himself on the
tender mercies of the settlement. Hs
had kept his CHASTITY secret well. The
hamlet boasted no physician then. and i
was not till his malady manifested It'll
deadly nature so plainly that the ty.C
could not doubt, that they knew it wa,
smallpox.
Then it was too late for precautionary
measures TO avail; the seeds of the pes
thence had been sown broadcast through
the settlement. Then ensued it'll,
season of chaos-when despair reigned
the eve of q grim battle before the pros.
pect of whioh, strong men covered for q
little while and trembling mothers claspet
close wondering children and sickeneG
with dread
But inaction reigncd but for little
while, and then the strong men turned
squarely toward the issue. They volun
tarily isolated the settlement from tn,
world around and begin the grim battl,
with the pestilence.
Then had come to them young Harry
Wakefield, new-hedged graduate from
an Eastern medical college, who, Will,
seeking q location in the West for the
displaying of his maiden "shingle," hat
heGrd of New Chicago's extremity ant
hurried thither. What he lacked in ex
perience he made up in will. The set
Element took heart, and presently the
pestIlence was conquered, but not unit
it had claimed for its prey more than on,
poor soul. And from thenceforth New
Chicago called Harry Wakefield blessed
and his famo soon extended all over tn,
adjacent county, and sometimes Who'll,
days ride WIS necessary to bring him t,
moro remote patient.
And now there had come IN alien in
tent upon trespassing upon DR.. Harry
professional preserves. They knew lit
tie about the newcomer, and cared ever
less. The rising sun of the morning
upon which { o conference was held il
Colonel Pride's Office had shown them
nailed to the door-framc of a modest cot
tage, this sign: -. l.. Ransom, MD.
And that told them oil they desired (,
know. So far as they had known, tn,
only corners to the settlement within tn,
last few days had been young woman
and an older one--mother and daughte
they believed-and it had been rumore,
that they we're to occupy alone the cot
tage which now displayed the offensiv
ign. No man had thus far been see
about the cottage. 1t was now suppose
that the new doctor had arrived during
the night and at once thrust out his sign
The women were probably his mothe
and sister. Further thdn this the promi
nent citizens neither knew nor cared. 4
new doctor was there.
can the new doctor must gov' sal
Fosdick.
And the Others agreed with him. TIL
women could stay or go, as they nigh
elect. Ike Fosdick was for turning tn
doctor out headlong and thrusting nil
from the settlement with scanty cerC
mony. But the others were triAe NOR
conservative. II would be well to lear
DIR. Harry's wishes in the matter. tn
interloper might possess paraphernali
that Harry would be glad to purchase
md hesidas Il would be hnf fnir 10 lilo