Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1897-04-22
A DOCTORS STORY.

men are butchers, greater number are
tender hearted men. When all goes well,
people consider doctors an evil necessity,
but the moment sickness visits house
hold they are Immediately appealed to,
and all the hopes Of family are centered
in the doctor. No profession is judged
more harshly than that Of medicine, be-
cause to acquire its science many revolt
ing and seemingly cruel operations are
necessary, and people in general think
that the student takes special delight
in carving human flesh; that their sole
object in life is to make money by the
misfortune of others, and to live. as my
friend the sheriff put 1t, the lives of re-
fined butchers. While admit that in
many cases this is true, ! wish to show
you by the following story that a man
may be Christian and doctor at the
same time.
When I was at college. had chum
named Charley Baker. Charley was a
great student and the most cheerful soul
ever met. Into every life will come
times of depression, under which most
people sink and give themselves up to
despair. Such times visited US at the
college, where, far away from home and
friends, the barometer Of thought often
predicted storms, which always came in
the form Of extra hard examinations. In
such moments I envied the most humble
calling as something that was at least
happy, and often seriously thought Of
packing my trunk and starting for home.
Charley, however, always came to my
rescue with some optimistic view Of the
situation and persuaded me to remain.
At last we graduated and began to
practice. Charley went to large city,
hung out his single and patiently
waited, for he is indeed a poor doctor
who has not patients. Charley was as
poor as church mouse, but that did not
trouble him in the least. AS long as he
could pay his rent Charley was hopeful
and happy. He understood medicine
thoroughly but, like many other people
who understand their business, did not
have the patronage enjoyed by some less
competent.
One wild, stormy night, the "of1ce
hours" having passed without call,
Charley was preparing to go to bed
when there was loud ring at the bell.
The hour was late, and this strange
sound was somewhat startling, but
Charley Immediately opened the door,
and a handsome young girl hurriedly
entered the house.
"Is DR.. Baker at homer" she asked
timidly.
| eyes, madam; am DR.. Baker"
The girl looked little surprised and
blushed Then she said excitedly: MY
little sister is very sick, and fear that
she may die in my absence, as she is all
alone. So please hurry" She faltered a
moment, and then continued: II must
tell you, though, doctor, that at present
I have not money to pay for your serv-
ices. Other doctors, on whom have
called, turned me away politely when
they heard this, but, oh, sir, it is an
urgent case, and you will come, won
your
1.-THE matter Of money is a seconda-
y consideration, returned Charley.
"First let the service be performed.
The girls pretty face lighted up, and
gratitude was expressed in every fea-
ture
DR.. Baker was soon ready, and they
set out through the binding rain and
sweeping wind for the bedside of the
sick child.
| The girl led him to tenement house
| and up stairs to a room on the top floor.
The room was small and bare, but neat
and cozy after the wild street. On bed
in the center Of the room was beauti-
full little girl about years old. Her
silken hair was laced about the white
pillow cover, and her little feverish face
in it's center made the picture of an
angel sleeping on pillow Of gold.
| DR.. Baker made en- examination, and,
after asking many questions relative to
the little one, prescribed some medicine
All that be could DO at present being
done, he, resolved to find out something
about this fair young lady, whose hand
some face had made an impression on
him.
Doctor" she said, sis this medicine
expensive?"
"Well, yes, it is, - he answered, ''but
| I'll tell you how that can be overcome.
happen to have some at my Office, and
Twill bring it around tomorrow. This
was not the truth, but Charley Baker
would do anything for a person he liked.
| "You are very kind, doctor, and l
thank you from my heart. -
| "You have very neat apartment
here, Miss-er''-
| Robinson, she said.
"Miss Robinson. Are your parents
living, if may ask?''
''No. Both were killed in railroad
accident some time ago, and since then
Mabel, my sister, and have lived here
alone
''Well, well, it must have been very
hard On you to be SO suddenly thrown
on your own resources -
| 90 It was rather hard at first, but l
managed very well until lately, when
i'll luck seemed to single Us cut for Its
victims"
They chatted pleasantly for some
time, and then Dr.. Baker went home.
Many visits followed this one The
child was i'll for a long time, and many
night, when the great city was wrap
ped in the silence Of sleep, did Dr. Baker
| watch beside the bed Of that little child,
stealing his own rest and health that
| the little one might not suffer don It
! know why it is, but sickness seems to
bring human hearts closer together. 1t
may be that anguish born Of common
cause finds sympathy and balm in the
heart Of another who suffers. It may be
that God transmits to them q silent
speech which is only heard in the still
watches Of the night, when the tongue
is dumb and fancy has it's sway. Be the
| cause what it may, sickness lights in
the breast Of those who watch the flick
ering flame Of affection, and the oil Of
sympathy steadies the flame into love,
| and when all the outside world is dark
and drear this little fame disperses the
shadows Of depression and warns the
soul with its tender hcet, making on
L. i L. a q L u