Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-02-14
III 4 ClUITRY PRACTICE.
BY SARAH BEsE JEwETT.
| Copyright lssi, by Bachelor, johnson &
Bachelor

Copyright 1885,, by Bachelor, johnson &
Bachelor.
DIR. 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 his fellow professors. as they sat to-
gether signing the diplomas, he was
the only man in the class who really
had a genius for his profession.
DR.. Best was New York physician
of wide reputation who had kept his
professorship 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 vaca-
ton that he could manage to get
through the long hard-worled years.
I'm not so sure that won't take you
into partnership, my boy" he said, after
ordinary means of persuasion had
seemed to fail. THAT is, if you will take
few months first in the - hospital
where III get you grand chance. You
ought not to bury yourself in country
practice with your gifts III push you
along as fast as l can if you'll come tc
New York"
The younger man threw back his
fine head with a sudden eager gesture
d strange wistful look shone in his eyes.
He knew well enough all that the doc
tors generous offer and fatherly affec-
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 q 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 farnhouses OF
Alton. He remembered, too, his father.
the old doctor of all that region, physi-
clan 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, grufhy. "The peo-
pie up there can get doctor-there's
Duncan or Grafton or Smith who prom
Use fairly we'll, and don't know where
in the world to settle. You ought to
have larger place. Come, make
push and take what belongs TO YOU"
II feel as if were needed up 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 close by and took hard
hold of it. Duty was so shining clear
that the moment Of temptation was
quickly over, but he suddenly remem-
bered that he was turning his back
upon the most beloved companionship
that he had ever known, except his
fathars 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 DIR. Best or with
other friends who saw their profession
from anything like wide point of
view, to whom he could speak in his
own language. He was facing Il good
deal of loneliness; he could not hope to
30 to New York very often; he was in
debt already for his education. Dr.
Best was an old man, too; they might
never meet agaiu.
The old doctor rose gruflly-the mo-
lnent had grown too painful for them
both. "NNell wcll.' he said. inpatient
". "You must do as you think best;
mother living and depending upon YOU
wouldn't feel at home anywhere else;
sacred Inheritance from your father to
take up his work; ] know, know, but
If he were here he'd feel just as l do.
No, no, sha'n't forget you. I'm too
busy to write much, / never promise;
but you write to me if you like, and
keep up with the periodicals.; poor as
they are, they're better than nothing,
and you must follow the new notions.
Some day, if can get off, l may run
up among the hills in the summer.
God bless you, my boy!' said the old
gentleman, handing him book, but
not even Offering to shake hands, and
turning again, grumbling to himself,
to tumble among some papers. John
Ashurst escaped as quickly as he could
he felt q little light-headed and
broken, as il it would be easy to shed
tears. When he reached his boarding
place he sat down drearily, 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 just imported; he could not
have bonght it himself with months
hard work.