Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1897-10-18
MY PATIENT.

1t was about O'Clock one Saturday
afternoon, a time when the east end
doctor sometimes, but not always, gets
q few minutes rest.
The inner door was pushed slowly
open, and the head of thorough little
gutter urchin appeared. He was a cap
ital specimen OF the London "gamin y
naked feet and legs up to the knee, rag
ged trousers, thin cotton shirt, open
at the chest, ragged coat and no hat
He was grewsomely dirty, but his thin,
almost delicate fingers told me at once
that he was a pickpocket
"I want DR. Prebble," he said in a
hoarse voice.
"Well, you've got him, I answered
"Bill's fell down and hurt ITSELF, F"
he said slowly
"Who is Bill:'' I asked.
A shade Of disappointment passed
over his face. had evidently fallen in
his opinion. My not knowing Bill proved
conclusively that l had not mixed in
the choicest society.
"'E's our lodger," he said cautious
ly, "an amt a-goin to tell you no
more"
"Why didn't he go to hospital?"
81 Dunno" he said. 'E was at
work, and fell of of something. So e
come 'ome. That's all. "
Luckily medical man is safe in al
most any neighborhood Moreover,
was well known, and as went along
heard the gossips saying:
There goes the doctor. He's come
to see after Bill. "
Clearly Bill was a celebrity.
At last my guide stopped at house,
and, nodding to woman who stepped
on one side to let us enter, said, cts
all right, old gal. "
| found out subsequently that the
''old gal" addressed was the young gen
tleman' s mother. Respect for parents is
not leading feature in that neighbor.
hood.
Without wasting minute I knelt Oh
the floor to examine Bills injuries
found they were serious-a dislocated
shoulder, two ribs broken and internal
injuries, which might prove more seri.
GUS still
On his fingers were the marks of oak
UNI picking, which showed that Bill
was an ex-jailbird and III the corner Of
the room stood a suspicious looking bag,
out of which peered jimmy. 1t was
then fairly safe to assume that Bill had
met with an accident while engaged i'll
his professional duties as housebreak-
or. He was educated. One could see
that at once by the development Of his
brow. In his face, too, there were some
lingering traces of refinement.
l looked up at the boy, who was
watching me carefully, and I have nc
doubt, reading my thoughts.
"You amt a-goin to tell no tales,
gov 'nor?"
my business is to cure him if !
cam" / said briefly "Now, l want
your help"
With some difficulty l managed to
get his shoulder back into position.
Then l set his ribs. Beyond that could
do nothing until lie recovered sufficient
ly to answer few questions.
1t was necessary to find a nurse. The
man ought to have been in hospital,
but it was impossible to move him. In
deed, it was almost miracle that he
49,
gled condition.
Not far from my dispensary there
was nursing institution, supported by
some ladies, who devoted their time
and money to nursing the poor in their
own houses. The matron was splen-
did woman, who never stopped to in
quire whether case was deserving.
The fact that man or woman was i'll
was all that she cared about Their
crimes and shortcomings she left tc
other people
Miss Shepherd listened to my story
with her usual sympathy.
"There is only one young lady can
send," she said thoughtfully, land she
has not had much experience. However,
we must do something I'll introduce
her to you and see what you think. "
1t is curious thing that on first see
ing that girl she did not strike me as at
! good looking Since then / have
1 ued to know her we'll, and think
IL ne Of the most beautiful women in
the world.
In these years Of work among the
poorest Of the poor met no woman OF
such radiant, glorious nature as the
pale faced girl whom I saw for the first
time that Saturday evening.
To my great disappointment on reach
ing the sickroom her composure quite
gave way. had hoped she would be
strong enough to maintain her self con-
Srol, instead Of which she trembled and
turned deadly white, looking almost in
clined to burst into tears.
"Come, come, Miss Clintonp' said.
"You must get accustomed to scenes Of
distress. If you break down, You won't
be able to help me at all. /"
II beg your pardon, DR.. Prebble, "
she stammered hastily. 1t was only
the first shock. Everything is 80 horri-
BILE. You may depend ON my doing
what you require. I"
Then explained the case to her care
fully and taught her the duties Of q