The Advocate and news., 1898-11-23
BY MABLE DIccs.

Gray attended little Johnny all through
his dangerous illness and never said a
word about pay Never mind that" he
said, winking at Johnny That's all
right II you're ever able to give me a
cent do so, but don't you worry; / won't
have it" and giving hearty laugh and
Johnny another wink he hustled out Of
the room.
Johnny sang Dr. Gray's praises all over
the village and many were the calls he
made on the poor No one ever thought
Of going to either of the other doctors
If they were in sore trouble or severe
pain. 1t was DR.. Gray who was routed
out Of his warm bed on cold winter
nights to go and see a sick child or
dying baby. He always went and seemed
glad to be of any service. People began
to see how much good he did for every
body and said they liked young doctor
better than an old one anyway.
Down in a hollow there lived worth
less family by the name Of BOwens (the
boys called them "Bones').
One day yellow flag floated out from
an upstair window. Tommy Masters was
the first to see it, and standing rooted
to the ground, gazed at it with wide
staring eyes.
whats that for?" he asked Of Bill
Bones" who was sitting on the fence.
idiot! Smallpox, of course. You'll
get them sure" Bill replied, laughing
foolishly. Tommy few down the street
and right down to DR.. Gray's Office.
why Thomas, he always called the
boy Thomas-"Why Thomas, what's the
matter?" he asked as the boy tore into
the room.
Got small pox down at Bones"
saw the yellow flag" he sputtered out.
Smallpox" exclaimed Dr. Gray.
Smallpox And you've been down
there? Come here" he said severely.
Tommy went overs ito him and went
through long examination. He was
given prescription, the doctor vaCci-
mated him and sent him home.
Dr. Gray walked down the road and
past all the houses until he came to the
hollow and the shanty wherein the
Bowens' lived.
Yes, there waved the yellow flag and
there sat Bill Bowen just where Tommy
had left him.
Now, Bill had little respect for DON
old Gray If for no one else, and he
climbed down from his perch and came
towards the young doctor, pulling of his
hat, showing a mass of red hair.
"Bill, what's this? Got the smallpox
here?" DR.. Gray said.
Eyes, sur. Ais got EN- but me and
nav. Dad and the four kids ave got
EN-" he said, pulling his red locks and
scraping his big clumsy feet around.
DR.. Gray hurried into the house. He
knew what hard time Mrs. Bowens
had to support her family, for her hus-
band was a drunkard and would only
work long enough to get few cents to
buy liquor in Greensburg, a town ten
miles from the village. Mrs Bowens
met the doctor at the door and welcomed
him gladly. She was a thin little wo-
man, with dark auburn, curly hair, and
gentle blue eyes.
How she ever came to marry that no
count Bill Bowens is a wonder to every
body. have heard tell, though, that
Bill used to be q clerk in a store when
she first met him and then married him,
but he took to drinking and lost his
place. But to DR.. Gray and the smallpox.
DR.. Gray went to see those Bowens and
brought three of the children through.
Old Bill Bowens died and so did the
youngest child. Other cases OF the dread
disease appeared In the village and DR..
Gray and the two other doctors were
kept. busy DR.. Gray had the most pa
tients, though, and seemed to save more
than the Others He would go where the