The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-02-12

Most Of the people were ranged along
the walls OF the room. sitting with theii
packs against the wallpaper, upon
, which their shoulders had made q
glossy brown stripe all round-youne
lads with dogs between their knees
girls holding cats in baskets. middle
aged women nursing birds in cages
They talked to each other In subdued
tones, or to their pets In reproving
Il whispers. Sometimes u doG' would be-
come excited by the voice OF cat COM
planning of bonds and imprisonmeuts
near him. but he would be promptly
cuffed into submission by his master;
or n canary would suddenly flutter
against the bars, warned by instinct OF
the proximity of so many enemies.
Mostly, however, there was n respect
ful silence. The doctor stood awhile
rooted In Amusement. und did not even
take any. notice when several of his
former patients nodded affably across
to him.
Presently, from an inner room, there
came forth O hard-featured man, carry
ing u large book under his arm, Billiam
/ followed behind him, his shock of hair
tossed and rumpled. He was STOPPING
forward, aud eagerly explaining some
thing TO the man. So intent was he up
on the matter in hand, that he passed
the doctor without 50 much as noticing
him.
And I'll look In and see how the
| pair Of you have got on tomorrow. '"
Billiam said, shaking the hard-featured
man warmly by the hand at the door.
| Billinm turned, and, for the first time.
looked the doctor fair In the face
mir. name Is DR. Macfarlane. I have
"a practice in this neighhorhood." said
the physician, land l should like the
favor of Il few words with you"
Certainly. BY all means-with plea
sure" replied Billiam. Come this
| Way"
And they went together into the sec
ond of the Montgomery street garrets.
1t was nearly as bare of furniture as
the first. There was no more than Il
table, some bottles. and instrument
case, willie round the room, arranged
SO as to make the most of themselves
| stood Billiam's three chairs.
Take one" said the student politely.
| But DR.. Maofarlane preferred to stand
| until he knew exactly where he was.
81 have the homer OF addressing"
he said. and nausea
William Regin,ld Set .un Ormlth-
waite" said i5iuiani quietly.
| You are doctor?" queried his visit
or.
| by no means, l am only q student"
said LILLIAN quickly. but l give these
| people hand with anything they bring
along"
| I'D you possess any QuallticatlonS!'
pers yted DR.. Macfarlane.
"Qualihcationsr said Biliam, n little
perpleXed. well. I've been patching
UP dogs legs and things all my life
But. sir" cried the doctor, indig
nantly, this is no better than an equiv
ocation. I heard you with my own
ears prescribing for the man who went
out just now-an old patient of my own,
if mistake not. And l saw you with
these eyes taking fee from him as he
passed through the door. Are you
aware. sir, that the latter is an in
dictable offence?"
Biiliam smiled with his usually quietly
Infinite tolerance.
DR. Macfarlene," he said, at may
sound strange to ycu, but the fact Is
that man came to consult me about Il
separation from his wife. And he
brought his family Bible out of tht
| pawnshop TO Snow ME the dates of hi.
marriage and birth OF his children i
ave him something when he went away
that he would not need to take the
.ble back into pawn at least MOI
lImeaiat ely. Do you think l need any
qualifications for that?"
And those people outsider" said the
doctor net yet entirely convinced.
viii you go round the wards with
me-" said Billiam, smiling brightly ana
irresiStibly.
1
10 the door OF the next room. 1t seem
ell TO the doctor fuller than ever
I Lame dogs this way said Bi!liam
|. in q matter-of-fact manner. and haIf-a-
$ dozen men slouched after him Vey.
:. deity Billiam laid out Il row of small
! shining instruments upon the table
) with salve line and bandages arranged
: behind him.
:. Then he took animal after anima
e into his hand, set 1t upon the table
II passed his fingers lightly 70 and In
over Its head and ears time or Two
G listened to the owners voluple explana
s. tons without appearing TO notice then,
: ana forthwith proceeded to deliver :,
V little clinical lecture. His def fingers
u shipped away the matted hair from q
d neglected and fostering SIRE lie clean.
e ed the wound tenderiy, the dog often
e instinctively turning to snap Yet ali
g the time Bill!am never once ninchcd
Is out talked steadily. impartial!y. ana
/ sympatneIcally 10 the animal ana his
master Til the sore was dressed and
r the patient redelivered with ali due III.
g rections TO his owner
n Before long, DR.. Macfnrlane hacomr
SO Interested that he waited while On -
e after case was disposed OF with the nm.
is erring accuracy of an hospital expart
sometimes he would instinctivciy have
lie the lint or the bandagc ready in his