Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-12-31
CHAPTER II.

Its all prejudice"
Mrs. Whitelaw smiled as she spoke
and handed the minister a cup of tea
From the window of the Abbey
drawing-room all was wintry and
cherries, but within there was warmth
and comfort
The Rev. William Irwyn had not
been long in Glasgow.
The Whitelaws of the Abbey were
among his chief friends.
He did not at once reply to Mrs.
Whitelaw's remark.
Isn't it now?" she continued and
her smile proved that she was quite
Indifferent after all to the opinion of
the Rev. William.
NO" he said, II am quite sure a
woman has not the stamina to be a
doctor. 1t requires great moral, as
we'll as physical force, and no woman
could possibly combine these. The
education and prejudices of centuries
have made that quite impossible.
wait till you see DR.. Mary Arnold,
then tell me whether woman can
expect she will be here today"
Il protest against them
He spoke with emphasis, as if there
were no gainsaying his word THE
present movement among women is
utterly prejudicial-a woman doctor is
an unsexed creature against whom l
protest.
How are you, dear?" Mrs White
law had turned away, and was actually
laughing into the face of a lady who
was approaching her.
MIR Irwyn," she went on, may l
introduce you to Dr. Mary Arnold?''
The minister took his departure soon
afterwards.
Many years had gone by since Will
Irwyn had parted from Nettie on the
shore of the Clyde.
These years had taught him many
things.
Among these things was the lesson
that old gentlemen of a religious turn
of mind are not always to be trusted
absolutely.
For a year Sir John Smith kept his
word, then he grew neglectful, and
very soon something new absorbed his
interest, and Irwyn was forgotten. He
fought for himself.
That fight made a stronger man of
him, but it also shook his faith in
humanity, and left him with a ten
dency to narrowness of judgment. This
church in GLASGOW was his first charge,
and he threw himself into the work
heart and soul.
AS the winter dragged slowly by he
met want and misery ON every hand.
He heard, too, the praises of the wo-
man doctor, who was locum tenens for
an older doctor of broad and generous
views.
On all hands the minister heard the
praises of the woman doctor, and of
the work she was doing among the
poor and needy of the city district,
where her charge seemed to lie among
many of his people.
The dark days of February were at
their blacklist, when one night the
minister was sent for at a pretty late
hour
Down in one of the poorest parts of
the Saltmarket a girl was dying. Her
mother it was who longed for the COM
fort the minister could give.
ooh, sir, pray for her; pray for my
lassr'
Irwyn stood with his head bowed,
his eyes on the still face with it's look
Of patient anguish.
Mrs Dempster," he asked, impelled
to the question he knew not why, 'is
it true what I hear that Kate is dying
of broken hearth"
ooh yes, sir" she cried, Eyes. Her
lad, he got a better place nor the
foundry, and goodbye, Kate, says he,
you're over good for me, We ken. I'll
no ask you to gang to Americy wi
me. [ couldna ask a lassie like you
to leave yer hame an yer ain fouk.
Yell easy get a better nor me. The
lads doom here are mo- very often hon
est wi the lassies; they're mo- like
gentry, ye KEN" and her tone was
apologize. Kate just pinned, an she
was a I had Oh, Kate, my lassie, my
bit ba1rn!
The dying girl stirred; she opened
her eyes. Not YOU she cried, catch
ing sight of the minister. what can
you do? I want the doctor. If she
had been here afore, an had telt me
the things she can tell o, l would
never haze been here. It's fearsome
my lane. I want her; she can make
me no feel feared" She held out her
arms with a cry of yearning, and her
! eyes seemed to look beyond those by
her side
Its along way" Mrs. Dempster
said, "but she'll come at ony time, an
in ony weather. Til gang an ask
! her"
Let me gor'
Irwyn's offer was at once accepted,
and speedily he found himself tramp
| ing through the rain to the doctors