The Lebanon express. (Lebanon, Linn County, Or.) 1887-1898, 1893-09-29

10 patient living eight miles away
Our road led through dense forest, and
the air was sitting. Before we had
emerged from the woods storm came
on, and the lightning flashed around us
in a realistic way worthy Of q we'll
staged rendition of "Uncle Toms Cabin"
We were wet to the skin, and my com
panion seemed to realize that the expe-
rience was not pleasant to me, for he Of
fered me cigar. Amid the war Of the
elements grew desperate and lighted
his gift. After the first puff | really
hoped that 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 ! continued my occupation Of
holding u mare that would not have run
away under the impulsion Of a dynamite
bomb. Ny friend returned after the ex-
piration Of m exceedingly short time.
Nobody sick in there, he remarked
"an old woman nervous, that's all "
''IIow oldI" asked anxionsly.
some 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."
"Hellol 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, My doctor
was engaged for hour When he re-
joined me on the piazza the mare was at
the door.
"More callsy" asked
Eyes, of course; 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 a number Of
account books
"ls not your days work done?" |
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, y
Then he spent half an hour in making
notes for his days labor. | watched him
with an emotion that was almost rev.
erential, Here, ii anywhere, was u 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 fnd2 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 bedN exclaimed, as he
laid aside his bopks.
Mot yet, must have my case re.
filed"
Out into the night again. Near al
hand light CLEANS in the window of q
drug store. A sleepy clerk answered
our knock, and in few minutes my
uuotpl Wuo puey Nluil lilc bubJltS Ou put
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 nc
fatigue, He is made of iron," | said tC
myself as he strobe homeward with a
firm and even tread.
! had almost fallen to sleep later or
when | heard some one descending the
stairs. 1t was 12 o'clock
"Where are you going" ! asked, as
recognized the doctors portly form,
"Into the Office for an hour" he re
marked. "This is the only time in which
have chance to do my scientific read
ing"
| went back to bed, but could moi
sleep. was wondering how much my
friend made year. At breakfast the
next morning said.
doctor, don't want to be imperti
nent, but will you kindly tell me how