Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1897-05-08
A DOCTORS STORY.
The doctor began:

The doctor began:
Our friend the sheriff has just told
us narrowing tale of the brutality Of
doctors In defense of my profession
wish to say that, although some medical
men are butchers, greater number are
tender hearted men. When all goes we'll,
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 conferred
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 u 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 it, the lives of re-
fined butchers. While I admit that in
many cases this il true, I wish to show
you by the following story that a man
may be Christian and q doctor at the
same time
When I was at college, Ihad chum
named Charley Baker. Charley was a
great student and the most cheerful soul
I 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
harry, 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 shingle and patiently
waited, for he is indeed 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 office
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 handsome young girl hurriedly
entered the house.
"Is DR.. Baker at home?" she asked
timidly.
eyes, madam I 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't
your
1.-THE matter Of money is seconda-
~ consideration, returned Charley.
"First let the service be performed"
The girls pretty face lighted up, and
gratitude was expressed i'll 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 room OIL 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 a beauti-
full little girl about years old Her
silken hair was laced about the white
pillow cover, and her little feverish face
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dona ~ ,,oso1,,ad - amd ~ so,,eth;no
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some face had made an impression Oh