Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1892-03-16
THE DOCTORS TALE.

1t is thirty years since put my single
up had very little money; so had Ma
tilda. We were desperately in love with
each other-so much so that we really
could not afford to wait; so Matilda and
got married | lay in wait for patients be-
hind my Office door. Like hungry tiger
(fguratively speaking) | cried aloud,
"Ducky, duclly darling, come be killed"
But they did not come. The ducks-l
mean the enthusiastically said "Quack"
(fguratively speaking AGAIN. and passed
me by. They evidently looked on my shin
gle as a danger signal But l soon got
large practice among the poor, and those .
who could not or would not pay. They APP |
pointed me their body physician. | need |
hardly add that it was purely an honorary |
post.
Now, there was rich old maiden lady .
who lived opposite us. She was an eccen-
trio but charitable old woman, and her
name was Glumper-Clarissa Glumper.
There was no chance Of "A woman like that
coming to me for advice. DIR. Dulle was
her medical attendant. He seemed to be
everybody's medical attendant that was
worth attending. My blood used to boil
within me with Indignation whenever l
saw his mud despatched carriage and pair
tearing about the neighborhood.
One afternoon | saw DR.. Dulles coach
man pull up at Miss Glumper's door, and
Matilda watched him through the blind.
Jack" she said excitedly, hes only
stopped five minutes. timed him. And,
oh, Jack! when he came out he was as red
as a turkey cock Perhaps he's apoplec-
tic.n added Matilda, with a wistful sigh.
ooh, JackP cried my wife after an inter
val of a few moments, there's the foot
man going post haste for the medicine"
and then she suddenly clutched my wrist,
her face grew ashy pale, and she Missed in
a hoarse whisper; ooh, Jack, he's coming
herel Quick-quickp' cried Matilda
In an instant she had carefully regulated
my cravat There was a tremendous ring
at the door OF course, as ill luck would
have it, Mary our servant, was out. SO,
my heart beating wildly, opened the door
myself and tried to look as unconcerned as
possible.
YOU'RE to come across to the missus at
once" said the pampered mental in pat
ronizing tone.
is it very urgenty" said, looking at my
watch
ITS a matter Of life and death - said the
man, with a vulgar grin which could not
understand.
81 will attend to it Immediately" l said
had been smoking, so | took some tine
ture of cloves, Matilda sprinkled my hair
and whiskers with eau de cologne | thrust
nv instrument case into one pocket and
NV emergency case into the other, and then
tried to walk across the street in a digni-
fed manner, and of course failed miserably.
The footman, who was awaiting my ar
rival, was still grinning maliciously. He
ushered me at once into the drawing room
where by the fire sat an old lady in black
sobbing bitterly. 1t was Miss Glumper-
the great Miss Glumper herself.
"Are you the young man Of the name Of
Pestle?" she said.
lam DR.. Pestle, madam" replied il
my haughtiest manner.
"Ouite so, quite so; am sure l beg you
pardon, Dr. Pestle," said the old lady, still
sobbing copiously. Or. Pestle," she sale
very solemnly "are you man Of tn
worldg
A mvstery-evidently a mystery. Mad
am" | began, 81 have never divulged
professional secret"-
1--WE are wasting precious time, DR.. Pes
tie" said the old lady interrupting me. -
believe her to be sinking fast. She's all
have in the world, doctor. You won't min
seeing her, will you, as favor''
Madam began, aS q ihdONci VI Noih
mon humanity
"She isn't human" she said
The old lady was in deep grief, and sh
carefully lifted shawl which covere
something that lay upon the sofa. On tn
cushion was fat pug dog painting col
vulsively.
CDR. Pestle," cried the old lady, "onl
save my darling's life and there's nothin
won't do for you'll Is there hopper" ST
added in a voice Of agony.
"While there's Gfe there's hope, madam,
l said, oracularly.
l whipped out my emergency case ana
attempted to administer remedy TO n
unfortunate patient. The beast tried
bite me at once.
THAT'S a good sign, madam" said;
capital sign He'll require care, gre
care" | added, "the greatest possible car
hut we must do what we can for him"
'Dr. Pestle," said Miss Glumper repro
ingly, "Flora is a lady dog"
"Qute so, quite so, dear madam
piled. that's what renders the case
much more difficult, If, madam" we
on, IL can have her under my own eye
might be able to do great deal Tor her
said.
"We'u make bed for you, with plej
ure, replied Miss Glumper. 81 beg you
not leave her for a single instant, DIR. Pest
Expense is no object, need hardly add
MADAM" | said, in my best profession
manner. "she needs absolute change
scene; rest, seclusion and-er-the usu
remedies" | added vaguely. IF you W
hermit me to remove the little patient
my own residence, all that human SIX
can do shall be done for her; otherwise,
added and looked unutterable thin
success is well nigh impossible"
Miss Glumper clasped her hands in
ony. ut is so hard to part with her, d
tor, she said.
"The matter is for your considerable
madam" remarked.
But may come and see herr" eXelaiH
Miss Glumper.
mo. madam" said sternly. THE
...,,,,+ 81 auch interviews might pro