The aegis & intelligencer., 1898-01-14

body back ward and forward bCfur
the big Fireplace, where pine kuot
gave forth Il glarimg light AMI .
warmth that was pleasantly &ppITen
after the crisp night air.
Ii needed but a glance at tine fixed
strained muscles OF the sa!low face {.
convince the doctor that lock jaw wa!
he cause of the silent tongue, HhicI
had impressed the husband us some
thing dreadful and altogether un
canny. to the exclusion of any specip
concern about a badly hurt and very
painful ankle, which had been entire
ly neglected.
But Il few days before, the doctor
had chauced to read III torn scraI
of newspaper that chlOroform was an
invaluable remedy for lock jaw, Sir
James Simpsons experiments with
chi0rof0rm having recently called the
attention of the whole world TO lis
capabilities aud development as ali
anesthetic. Fortunately, he had e
small vial in the leather saddle-poclet
| which were the inseparable compan-
| ions of a doctor in the days when
| druggists were found in large towns
only, and patent medicine were not
among the stock in trade OF every
cross roads store.
\ moment sufliced for him to un-
stop the vial and saturate his own
| handkerchief, the appearance of the
cabin hardly warranting the forth
coming of such "A luxury. The look of
| relief on the wcman' s face was second
only to that which oyerspread her
husband 5 counteuance, as soon after
ward she found her tongue sufficient
ly to Eerate him soundly Tor having
brought her that ''spalpeen of a doc
tor" instead of their Old friend and
fellow-toper.
After settling his patient in the one
bed of which the cabin boasted, the
doctor slept off his fatigue, as best he
could. by doZirg and dreaming in Il
straight backed hard hottomed clair.
Under the circumstances, breakfast
So emed so doubtful Ii quantity that,
with the early dawn, he wended his
way back down the mountain, ac-
ccmpanied to the edge of civilization
by the presumably grateful husband
who, in parting, gingeriy counted out
two quarters and gru11ly said Good
by with nc word of thanks or praise.
The young man pocketed his first
fee and erimly vowing to keep it for
luck, returned to the tavern some
what disgusted with the whole Irish
race and thoroughly disheartened at
the prospect of similar night journeys
and their i'll proportioned recompense.
1t was a bad beginning, but hearty.
breakfast and a sympathic wife caused
him to decide that one must not
quarrel with ones bread, even though
il be unbuttered During the day, u
call from another lrishman further
confirmed him in the resolve to waive
his preiudices for the time being, and
after that he really had no time to
think mere about them.
Some ebody, either the taciturn huS-
band or The shrewish wife, told won
drous tales of the 'Spaipeen" doctor,
who without q drop Of medicine and
with but Il Whit st queer-smeillns
handkerchief had brought back the
old woman's speech. To them the
bad foot was much more ordinary af-
fair, altho it was Il lingering case
which called for many visits from the
doctor, who made them conscientious
", despite the small prospect of fees.
He gave the settlers fresh cause Tor
marvel by invariably declining their
Mountain Dew" by which romantic
title is known that Illicit whisky
which has evaded the prosaic touch of
Il revenue stamp, popularity claimed to
be injurious to the pure flavor OF the
''juice."
In isolated or iiiiterate communities
fame feeds on imagination, and grows
apace, sa that ere long the new doc
tors skill was the talk of the whole
inuuntaiuside A few mUurncd over
.I. / l., r l,n vial old
fellow. always ready for q "drap" with
his patients, sick or dying. tho they
might be; but among the miners,
dents, the cool head and fever firm
hand of the temperance man. could
not fail to inspire confidence.
Slowly, but surely, the tide turned
in his favor. During the very severe
winter which followed, the doctor
brayed many hard ride through
rain and sleet, snow-drifts and swollen
streams. while the anxious wife spent
many a lonely night wishing for the
dawn and his safe return. Spring
found the doctor with slight balance
in hand. and steadily growing prac-
tice. as other besides ''nooushiners'
and Irish miners gradually became
note OF it for future reference.
Ina new country like ours, towns
often spring into cities and men into
riches; but our doctor and our town
climbed upward step by step to lame
and fortune. For Il man ready to
seize every honest opportunity to rise,
there are always more ups than downs
and such IL one is certain to have,
sooner or later, what may be styled
luck" bat the doctor and his vile
called it, Taken at the flood"
Ere middle age succeeded in catch
ing our Young couple, the doctor
could and did afford ii belated wedding
Journey, during which the little wife
bought and and wore her Paris bon
nets, with sublime indifference to
what people might think of the still
youthfu! face. Her husband ranSach-
ed Europe IN the interests of his pro
fessi0n, making special res arches
which brought him fresh ituEelS in
the medical world. IL Edinburgh he
was entertained one evening by the
famous Sir James Simpson, who found
in him a congenial spirit.
Somehow the American was moved
to an account of his early struggle and
of his iudeb' edness to chloroform tor
a start in life. Looking keenly ut his
new friend, the Scotchnan said
'Af r hearing me lecture on the
benefits of chloroform, a student who
was evidently confident of my reply,
inquired, What is the important dis
covery of your life?n l said to him
then, as | say to you now, My most
honest discovery was that | am great
sinner and Jesus is great Savior.
During my long, lonely rides
among the wild hills, also discovered
that wonderful secret of happiness for
myself, and of helpfulness for Others, j"
responded DIR. Nelson, where upon,
feeling fresh tie of brotherhood, the
Old World and the New World physi-
clans warmly clasped hands.