The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1895-07-12
EoopYA1eHr. 1891

Dr.. Best, the old professor and king
Of the medical school, was talking
eagerly to pleasant-faced, slight
young student who stood before him.
The young man had taken his degree
and received his diploma only the day
before. He had graduated at the top of
his class, and as DR.. Best had said to one
Of bis fellow professors, as they sat to-
gether signing the diplomas, he was
the only man in the class who really
had genius for his profession.
DR.. Best was New York physician
of wide reputation who had kept his
pFofessorship in the medical school of
One OF the small inland colleges, both
because it was his own college and be-
cause the few weeks which his lectures
covered gave him almost the only vaea-
ton that he could manage to get
through the long hard-worked years.
PA aOt so sure that I won't take you
tato partnership, my boy, he said, after
ordinary means of persuasion had
seemed to fail. THAT is, if you will take a
few months first in the - hospital
where I'll get you grand chance. You
ought not to bury yourself in a country
practice with your gifts. I'll push you
along as fast as I can if you'll come to
New York"
The younger man threw back his
fine head with q sudden eager gesture
strange wistful look shone in his eyes.
He knew well enough all that the doc
tors generous offer and fatherly affee-
tionateness meant; fame and money
and all delightful social advantages
were put easily within his reach. He
was reverent of the world of art and of
letters, and Of mans best knowledge
and close acquaintance with affairs.
But he could not shut his eyes to that
other vision of familiar upland coun-
try, the dark hills, the narrow rocky
roads, the gray and red farmhouses of
Alton. He remembered, too, his father,
the old doctor of all that region, physi-
elan of souls and bodies, whom every
body had missed, he himself most of all.
You're very kind, DR.. Best" said
John Ashurst, with a bright color in
his checks. II know how much your
kindness would mean-but you see
they need doctor up at Alton"
"There are plenty of doctors" said
the old gentleman, grufly. "The peo-
pie mp there can get doctor-tlere's
Duncan or Grafton or Smith who prom
Use fairly well, and don't know where
in the world to settle. You ought to
have a larger place, Come, make a
push and take what belongs to you"
II feel rs if I were leededup at Alton,
SIR said the young doctor, with the
anxiety slowly leaving his face, and a
happy light coming into his eyes again,
though he reached his hand for the
back OF chair closp by and took hard
hold Of 1t. Duty was so shining clear
that the moment of temptation was
quickly over, but he suddenly remem-
bercd that he was turning his back
upon the most beloved companionship
that he had ever known, except his
fathers. The doctors about Alton,
whom he should sometimes meet. were
old-fashioned men, not Of the best sort;
some Of whom were likely to be Jealous
OF him, There would be no more talk
for him now with DR.. Best or with
other friends who saw their profession
from anything like a wide point of
view, to whom he could speak in his
own language. He was facing good
deal Of loneliness; he could not hope to
go to New York very often; he was in
debt already for his education. DR..
Best was TN old man, too they might
never meet again..
The old doctor rose 'grlfly-the mo-
mcnt had grown 700 painful for them
both. well, WELL" he said, lmpatient-
~ You must do as you think best:
mother living and depending upon YOU;
wouldn't feel at homo anywhere else;
sacred inheritance from your father to
take up his wol k; I know, know, but
II he were here he'd feel just as l do.
No, no, sha'n't forget you. I'm too
busy to write mt oh, l never promise;
but you write to me if you like, and
keep rp with the periodicals; poor as
they are, they're better than nothing.
and you must follow the new notions.
Some day, if can get of. may run
up among the hills in the summer.
God bless you, my boyr' said the old
gentleman, handing him a book, but
not even offering to shake hands, and
turning again, grum bling to himself,
to tumble among some papers, John
Ashurst escaped as quickly as he could
he felt little light-headed and
broken, as if it would be easy to shed
tears. When be reached his boarding
place he sat down 1renri.y, and thought
for long time, deeply and anxiously.
And at last he looked at the great
book. 1t was the very best French
surgical work of the day, one that DR..
Best had inst imported; he could not
have bought it himself with a months