Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1894-1895, 1895-10-04

- phcrSon:
Macpherson shook his head
81 do not remember doing SO. But I
once gave maa an overdose Of drug
for a sleeping drauSht. which nearly
killed him. II was his own fault
though. as you will see when | tel vou
the story. II was when | was quite a
young man. and soon after | started
practice Of my own TT Chelsea. i had
taken pretty large house there. as a
doctor is bound to do if he wants TO get
on. and kept couple Of servants. On
the night. however. when my adven-
ture happened, both the girls were
away. SO THAI when q violent ring
came IL the front door bell about mid
night. when 1 was just thinking of
turning in, had to 60 and answer it
myself. When | opened the door
found that il was as ! expected. A
small boy. brcathless with running,
Informed me that | was required at
once at ali address he gave me in a
street about half an hours walk from
my house.
What am I wanted for| | asked,
but the boy could nor tell me. He had
been passing the house. he said. when
an old gentleman opened the door, gave
him a half crown. and told him to run
AS hard as he could for the nearest
doctor
Il put on my overcoat and started,
carrying with nc a few things on the
chance that they might be necessary.
Including q strong soporifc which l
might have to use if found my patient
III great pain which / could not i'm
mediately relieve.
Il had concluded that my services
were made necessGr. by some accident,
and used as mitch haste as possible.
therefore. III getting 20 the address
which the hey had given ne. AS l
approached the house ! was surprised
to find it in complete darkness. and /
could not help wondering whether |
had been made he victim Of n practical
joke. | was prepare with an apology
for my Intrusion when heard steps
descending the stairs and coming along
the hall in answer 10 my second ring
The door was opened by geGal-look-
Ing old gentleman in a lowered dress
ing gown. who carried lamp in his
hand. and whose first words set my
mind at rest as far IS my fears OF q
hoax were concerned.
oh, YOU are the doctor. sup
pose:' he said 'Niil you walk up
stairs. please
He was chatting all the while that
he preceded me up the broad staircase
IN voice tina. certainly did not show
any anxiety. - lie led the WAY into
a room on tie first floor at The back
and placed the lamp on the table.
glanced around the place quickly, ex-
pecting to soc some sign Of the person
/ had come to attend
THE room was comfortably. almost
handsomely. furnished. rs Il sitting
room and contained q cheerful-locking
fire. before which two armcha;rs were
drawn UP, with small table between
them. containing two glasses, q bottle
OF whisky and siDhon of soda water.
besides "a box Of cigars. But there WAS
no sign Of Il patient
down. said the cid gentleman; you
can put your things Oh the table.
suppose you viii not object to a glass
of Scotch and cheroot? | can rec
ommeEd the cheroots.'
'He had seated himself in one of the
armchairs as he spoke and was filling
the glasses
chi IN.
astonisiIment. but had no: better see
the patient before do anything else?'
Tile looked up, as II surprised at my
suggestion
"'Oh, | am the patient he said,
placidly
Il started in greater surprise than
ever. for he looked quite a picture OF
health. and he smiled good-iiaturedly.
If you will sit down | VIII tell YOU
what is the matter with me- he said
as placidly as before. Il do not like to
see q man standing while am sitting,
and II you do not take your coat off you
VIII catch cold when you 80 out again.
You doctors never Use your knowledge
10 take care Of yourselves. That is
better'-as obeyed wonderingly.
% Il am victim Of insomnia he went
on, after | had taken the other arm
chair; Il suffer terribly You cannot
ell what it is 10 stay awake all night
Jng while the rest Of the world Is
asleep. Not n soul to speak to, the one
living person in a city of dead. / think
that 1t will send me mad some day
Yes, 1t is great affiiction.' 1 said,
shortly. not little chagrined that |
had been summoned at that time of night
to q consultation which could have
been held at any time. but II can be
cured In time with healthy living
"'But that does not belD me tonight.