The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1896-04-29
THE DOCTORS PERIL

THE DOCTORS PERIL.
she was man who did not know
what fear was" We read of this mex
perienced individual every day-with-
out thought of cavil. Did anybody
ever really know such a man? / am
for one firm in the belief that he never
lived. The bravest man / ever knew
was doctor. His heroism had been
proven in four years of war, and, all
about the country side, his courage was
proverbial. He had been known to
risk his life with such hardihood that
it was question as to whether hero
ism or folly was uppermost is his char
acter. Yet this hero not only had a
knowledge of fear, but had felt it him.
self. He had been literally scared out
of his senses, and, worse than that, the
danger was only the shadow of dang
er and had no real existence.
This is the tale of it as he told il to
me: at was a good many years ago.
| had quite practice among my coun-
try people outside town, and used TO
drive nearly every day over the rock
road that runs south into the river val
ley. -Four miles out is the Hanson
place, neat cottage, close to the road,
in large yard, where there was much
shrubbery and many trees. The house
had been vacant for some time, and
one day | noticed people moving in.
They We're Northern people, a gentle
man and his wife. His health was
delicate, and he had come TO try our
milder climate. She was slight, frail
sunny-haired little woman, very young
and girl-like.
II saw them often after they had set
tied down. They evidently loved the
open air, and seemingly spent the
whole day outside the house. / have
often seen her working with garden
tools among the shrubbery while he
looked on, leaning upon his cane.
Again i would see them at lunch or
tea upon the gallery or under the trees.
They were a pleasant sight, for l love
to see husband and wife so unconscious
ly fond of each other.
Several months were along and the
winter drew near at hand. With its
approach there came spell of misera-
bly, cold, wet weather. Good weather
for doctors practice, but very disturb
ing TO his convenience. The genuine
~ sick are more numerous and then
there is vast increase in those who
think they are sick, which amounts to
the same thing in the wear and tear of
a medical man.
"One raw night had just returned,
tired and sleepy, from far visit to an
exasperating old woman, hoping L
might be at peace for the rest of the
night, when my hopes were shattered
by ring at the door. / opened and
negro stood shivering IN the driz-
zle.
"'Well,' ! said, as he stood dumb
and unmoved. What's the matter ?
Who is sick? p
"'Boss,' he answered, finding his
voice, you is wanted out to Mistah
Wimanses right away. He's been
tuck'n down bad, and de Missus sont
me to git you to come quick as you kim
"'Wimans? / don't know him.
Where does he liver
"'Why, dey is de new folks what's
took de ole Hanson place on de rock
road. Me an my ole woman been a.
working fur 'em since dey fust come.
az knew then where and by whom |
was wanted. / reused my own servant,
had my gig brought around, and in a
very few moments the negro and
were on our way. The trip did not
take more than half hour, rs the good
| firm, macadamized road was unaffect-
ed by the weather. 1t was well after
midnight when we reached the Ham
son cottage. The negro took charge oi
my horse and vehicle, leading ii around
TO the stable in the rear and telling me
to 90 right up to the front door and
ring the bell, which / did. There was
an immediate noise of some one inside
hurrying in response. The door open,
ed. There stood the little sunny-hair-
ed woman, her face all drawn with the
cruel marks of anxiety and distress
She spoke rapidly to me in nervous
half whisper as l took offmy hat and
great coat in the hall.
"'Doctor, began to fear you were
never coming. / am so uneasy about
my husband. Come, follow me al
once
"She led the way along hall and
into large bed room. In the center
was solid heavy oaken table, and
over opposite the door bed i'm which
lay some one, my patient, evidently.
His face was turned to the wall, and
one hand lay motionless outside the
bed clothes upon the counterpane. He
seemed to he asleep. His peculiar
qiiet did not impress me at the mo-
ment. Bringing chair close to the
bedside, l laid my medicine case on
the floor and proceeded to make an ex-
animation. The little woman stood
close by holding lamp so as to assist