Connecticut western news., 1897-12-02
MY PATIENT.


 It was about o'clock one Saturday afternoon, 8 time when the east end 1octor sometimes, but not always, gets few minutes rest
 The inner door was pushed slowly open. and the head of thorough little gutter urchin appeared He was cap- ltal specimen of the London ''gamin'- naked feet and legs up to the knee, rag ged trousers, thin cotton shirt, open at the chest. a ragged coat and no hat He was grewsomely dirty, but his thin, almost delicate fingers told me at once hat he was pickpocket.
 "I want Dr. Prebble," he said in 8 hoarse voice. Well, you we got him, answered. Bills fell down and hurt isself, |" he said slowly.
 Who is Bill?' asked A shade of disappointment passed ,ver his face had evidently fallen in his opinion My not knowing Bill proved conclusively that l had not mixed in the choicest society. Els our lodger, he said cautious ly. "an l ain't a-goin to tell you no more"
 Why didn't he go to hospital?" "l dunno" he said. E was at work. and fell of of somefing. So e come 'ome That's all. D Luckily 8 medical man is safe in al most any neighborhood. Moreover, 1 was well known. and as went along l 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, ''It 8 all right old gal" !"
 1 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 knelt on | the floor to examine Bills injuries. l found they were seriops-a dislocated shoulder. two ribs broken and internal injuries, which might prove more seri- | ous still.
 | On his fingers were the marks of oak um picking, which showed that Bill was an ex- -lailbird, and in the corner of the room stood a suspicious looking bag, out of which peered a jimmy It was then fairly safe to assume that Bill had met with an accident while engaged in his professional duties as housebreak- CT 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. looked up at the boy. who was watching me carefully, and, have nc doubt, reading my thoughts
 You ain't a-goin to tell no tales, gov 'norp''
 My business is to cure him if can. 1 said briefly. ''Now, I want your help
 With some difficulty I managed te get his shoulder back into position. Then set his ribs Beyond that could do nothing until ke recovered sufficient. ly to answer few questions
 It 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 ht had ever reached home in such man. gled condition
 Not far from my dispensary there was nursing institution, supported by some ladies, who devoted their tint and money to nursing the poor ill theil own houses The matron was a splen did woman, who never stopped to in quire whether a case was deserving The fact that man or woman was il was all that she cared about. Theil crimes and shortcomings she left tt other people,
 | Miss Shepherd listened to my story with her usual sympathy.
 "There is only one young lady cal send, she said thoughtfully, land sh, has not had much experience However we must do something I'll introduc, her to you and see what you think" !"
 It IS curious thing that on first see ing that girl she did not strike me as a all good looking. Since then l hav learned to know her well, and l thinl her one of the most beautiful women il the world
 In these years of work among tn poorest of the poor met no woman o such a radiant, glorious nature as tn pale faced girl whom 1 saw for the frs tune that Saturday evening.
 To my great disappointment on reach ing the sickroom her composure quit gave way 1 had hoped she would b strong enough to maintain her self con trol, instead of which she trembled an t turned deadly white, looking almost in cllned to burst into tears Come, come, Miss Clintonp' l said
 You must get accustomed to scenes c !. distress If you break down, you won be able to help me at all.
 "l beg your pardon, Dr. Prebble, she stammered hastily. "It was onl the first shock Everything is so horri ble You may depend on my doin what you require
 Then explained the case to her care fully and taught her the duties of F nurse as we'll as could in such a shor e time
 !, Miss Clinton must have nursed he r patient better than 1 expected sh :. would, for he passed fairly good night U U and when I saw him at II o'clock O Sunday morning the fever had abate somewhat, leaving him, of course, yer @ weak and in more or less precarior r. condition
 The nurse whom Miss Shepherd ha
 sent to take charge of the case durin
 the day was highly experienced won
 an, whom knew we'll