The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1897-06-24
4 WAYSIDE PATIENT,
BY Charles ". Harwood. N. D.
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TOR half an hour past DR.. Sanborn
had been certain that he was on the
wrong road. The main highway ran
straight to Winchester, but he had
come upon unfamiliar dips and turns
soon after leaving his patients house.
Rather than risk another mistake he
drove straight on. There were out
lying villages all about the city, and
before long he must reach some thor
oughfare leading toward home.
1t was nearly midnight. The sky was
thick, and lantern hanging over the
dashcr barely showed the breadth of
this forest-bordered way.
The reins hung slack from the doc
tors hands, but suddenly he frightened
them, and, grasping his whip, leaned
forward to pierce the darkness ahead.
Between the jogging steps of his horse
he had caught the sound of quick, soft
footballs upon the dust of the road
1t was a time and place for caution.
DR.. Sanborn presently saw mans fig
ure in the road before him. He held the
whip ready to lash his horse onward,
but the stranger turned to one side and
halted at discreet distance.
"Say, are you a doctor?" he called
out, breathless with running.
l.. eyes. What do you want?" Without
relaxing his guard at all, DR.. Sanborn
pulled up the horse.
"For Gods sake, come with me!
There's a fellow taken sick little way
above here. I'm afraid he's got pneu-
monia.''
'Who are you?" the doctor asked,
distrustfully, for the man seemed too
ragged and unkempt to be an honest
farm hand.
"Oh, I'm tramp" he acknowledged,
hurriedly. "Never mind about me. He's
on the road, too, but he's fellow that's
worth saving. Won't you Gomez His
voice quavered, but quickly rang true
again. "You wouldn't let even tramp
die like dog; you know you wouldn't,
doctor!"
'That's so! Well, I'll see your
friend. Go ahead and lead the way"
THANK you, doctor. 1t isn't far"
With look of relief he faced about
and ran on just in front of the car
riage. Meanwhile strange stories were
flashing through DR.. Sanborn's mind
On such pretexts men had been enticed
away and robbed; yet he resolutely
quelled all suspicion and touched up his
horse. The tramp's face had been sharp
with unfeigned distress.
Soon after emerging from the woods
the man ran off to one side and stood
in driveway leading back to some
building.
I'm here, DOCTOR he called, as the car
riage drove up. 1--WE crept into an old
barn for the night. Let me hitch your
horse and cover him.
With medicine case and lantern in
hand, DIR. Sanborn followed his guide.
Swinging the light around, he saw
that the barn was used for storing
bulky farming tools and the poorest
hay.
The tramp shut the door carefully and
held up his hand. For moment the
two men stood still to listen. Out of
the gloom beyond them came a weak.
incessant cough, which fell ominously
upon the doctors ear.
"He's breathing worse" WHISPERED
the tramp, and, running ahead, he
jumped over into partly-filled bay.
A young man hardly yet of age sat
propped against the haymow. He was
painting rapidly, and his dusky face
turned from side to side in search of
air.
"I've brought DOCTOR" the tramp
announced, hopefully. "How are you.
Will?"
"Air, Dick! I can't breathe!" the
boy whispered; and Dick snatched off
his hat and knelt down to fan him.
The doctor bent over his patient.
Time was precious, and moment Of
listening revealed all that he needed to
j know. The disease worked swiftly. In
an hour or two the crisis would come.
He opened his case~and held out a lit
tie tablet doubtfully. "Can you swallow
lt?'' he asked. =. .,,@s-
Before long this would become i'm
possible, but the young man nodded.
With momentary acuteness he glanced
at the physician, and then closed his
eyes YEARLY. I'll ~ , RI = .-
For the present everything had been
done, and the watchers stepped back,
All around them lurked heavy shadows.
and their little circle Of brightness
framed strange scene.
Through chinks and crevices of the
barn the light wind of the night blew
freely. Dick had thrown his coat over
the sick man, and, shivering slightly,
he moved closer to the doctor. As
It was asilent plea for sympathy. All
that was best in life he had long since
81 flung away, but there were still human
ties to which he could appeal. From his
& friends unconscious face he glanced
In some hesitation, at Dr.. Sanborn. sS
'eWillhe be better soon q he venturedl
speaking softly.
NO, I fear not. 3, The doctor hest.
Il tated. It seemed cruel not to offer the
oomfort Ct simple friend illness. .It !,