Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1895-12-26
A Grateful Patient.
THE DOCTORS STORY.

hadn't been for a queer accident
when L first hung out my shingle.
L had rich neighbor, a man |
was bound to propitiate; and the
very first call l had, after days of
waiting for patients who didn't come,
was to his barn to see what was the
matter with his sick mare. l cured
the mare and took in my shingle ;
for, from that day to this I've never
prescribed for a human being. 1
had won reputation as veterinary
surgeon, and had to stick to it. But
that's neither here nor there. Only
IL you think animals can't show
gratitude and affection, perhaps you
will change your mind.
When / had been in business a
year or two / sent for my brother
DICK. He was wonderful chan
with all kinds Of animals; and |
thought perhaps / could work out
my part of it, and leave that for
him. | never did, for Dicks cot
ton broker in New York now, and [
should have to begin all over again
to make first-rate physician. But
that's what l meant to be then.
The very next day after Dick
came l got telegram from Il. II.
Barnum. I'D been down there once
or twice to his stables, and he had a
good deal of faith in me. The des-
patch was:
'Hebe has hurt her foot. Come
at once.'
Hebe was favorite elephant-a
splendid creature, and worth small
fortune.
Well, l confessed 1 hesitated. /
distrusted my own ability, and
dreaded the result. But Dick was
determined to go, and go we did
When we got out of the cars, Bar
mum himself was there with a splen-
did pair of matched grays. He eyed
me very obviously. 'I'd forgotten
you were such little fellow he
said, in discouraged tone. Pm
afraid you can't help her. His dis
trust put me on my mettle.
Mr.. Barnum,' said /, getting into
the carriage, If it comes to hand
to-hand fight between Hebe and me,
L don't believe an extra foot or two
of height would help me any,
He laughed outright, and began
telling me how the elephant was
hurt. She had stepped on nail or
a bit of iron and it had penetrated
the tender part of her foot. She
was in intense agony and almost
wild with pain.
Long before we reached the en-
closure in which she was we could
hear her piteous trumpeting; and
when we entered we found her on
three legs, swinging the hurt foot
slowly backward and forward, utter
ing long cries of anguish. Such
dumb misery in her looks-poor
thing!
Even Dick quailed now. You
can never get near her. he whis-
pered. She'll kill you sure.'
Her keeper OWNED what he said.
DON'T you be afraid, SIR he called
out to me. Hebe's got sense.'
took my box of instruments
from Mr.. Barnum.
Il like your pluck, my boy, he
said, heartily; but l own that l felt
rather queer and shaky as l went up
to the huge beast.
The men employed about the show
came around us curiously, but at
respectful and eminently safe dis
tance, as L bent to examine the foot.
While l was doing so, as gently
as l could, I felt, to my horror,
light touch on my hair. 1t was as
light as woman's; but as I turned
and saw the great trunk beside me,
1t had an awful suggestiveness.
'She's only curling your hair
sang out the keeper. Don't mind
her,
shall nave to cut, and cut Deep
said /, by way of reply.
He said few words in some lingo
which were evidently intended for
the elephants understanding only.
Then he shouted, with the utmost
coOlness,. Cut away
The mans faith inspired me-
There he stood, absolutely .unpro-
tected, directly in front of the great
creature, and quietly jabbered away
to her as if this were an everyday
occurrence.
Well, l made one cash with the
knife. felt the grasp on my hair
tighten perceptibly,yet not urgently.
Cold drops of perspiration stood out
all over me.
'Shall l cut again p l mananaged
to call out.
Cut away!' came again the ell
response. .. e..
This stroke did the work. A great
mass Of fetid matter followed the
passage of the knife; the absess
was lanced. We sprayed out the
foot, packed 1t with oakum, and
bound il up. The relief must have
been immediate, for the grasp on
my hair relaxed, the elephant drew
a long, almost human sigh, and
well, / don't know what happened
next, for tainted dead away. Dick
must have finished the business, and
picked up me and my tools 1 was
as limp as rag. ..H
1t must have been a year and a
half after that was called to West
ern Massachusetts to see some fancy
horses. Barnum's circus happened
to be there. You may be sure that
| called to inquire for my distin-
guished patient.
'Hebe's we'll and hearty, sir,' the
keeper answered me. Come in and
see her; she'll be glad to see you.'
Nonsense y said I, though con-
fess 1 had keen curiosity to see If
she would know me, as 1 stepped
into the tent.
There she stood, the beauty, as
we'll as ever. For moment she
looked at me indifferently, then
steadily and with interest. She
next reached out her trunk, and laid