The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-09-28
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did you ever give a man the wrong
medicine. Or. Macpherson" l asked
him, as we sat chatting in my snug
gerry. and the famous doctor treated
me to many curious "reminiscences of
his early career. II should think that
most medical men must make slips OF
that kind at least once in a lifetime"
Macpherson shook his head.
II do not remember doing so. But
once gave n man an overdose of
drug for "A sleeping draught which
nearly killed him. 1t was his own
fault, though, as you will see when
tell you the story"
l was glad to hear that there was
another story coming, and settled my
self to listen, for Macpherson's remn-
iscences are always interesting.
1t was when l was quite a young
man." he began, "and soon after l
started a practice of my own at Chel-
sea. l had taken pretty large house
there, as n doctor is bound to do If he
wants to get on, and kept n couple of
servants. On the night, however, when
my adventure happened both the girls
were away. One of them had become
so i'll that l thought it best for her to
go home to be nursed, and the other
girl had Travelled with her to take care
of her. and was to return the first thing
next morning. So that when violent
ring came at the front door bell about
midnight, when l was just thinking of
turning in, / had to go and answer it
myself. l did so with a bad grace, for
I had had a hard days work, and was
looking forward to bed. The violence
of the summons suggested that some
body was in urgent need of my SER
vices, and ] sighed to think Of the
probability that l was TO be called out
again.
when opened the door, I found
that it was as / expected. A small
boy, breathless with running, informed
me that l was required at once at an
address he gave me in a street about
half an hours walk from my house.
"'What am l wanted for?' ] asked,
but the boy could not tell me. He had
been passing the house, he said, when
an old gentleman opened the door, gave
him half-crown, and told him to run as
hard as he could for the nearest doc
tor.
"'But am not the nearest DOCTOR
I said, feeling for once that 1 could
have spared a patient to one of my
rivals. The boy looked surprised.
"'You are the only one / could think
of SIR he said, which was flattering,
for it tended to show that was becom-
ing known in the place.
"Of course It was no use questioning
the lad any further. and I could only
regret that he knew my house better
than my rivals put on my overcoat
and start, carrying with me a few
things on chance that they might be
necessary, including a strong soporific
which / might have to use If found
my patient in great pain which could
not Immediately relieve.
''I had concluded that my services
were made necessary by some accident,
as used as much haste as possible,
therefore, in getting TO the address
which the boy had given me, and
which / had copied down in my pocket
book before he went away.
las I approached the house I was
surprised to find it in complete dark
ness, and l could not help wondering
whether I had been made the victim
of a practical joke, especially when my
ring at the bell remained unanswered.
! had expected to find the house lighted
up, and everybody on the alert, await
ing my appearance, and l was pre-
pared with an apology for my intru-
sion. when l heard steps descending
the stairs and coming along the hall
in answer to my second ring.
THE door wos opened by a genial
looking old gentleman, in a flowered-
dressing gown, who carried a lamp in
his hand, and his first words set my
mind at rest as far as my fears of
hoax were concerned.
oh, you are the doctor, / suppose ?"
he said. Will you walk upstairs,
please?'
He was chatting all the while that
he preceded me up the broad stair
case in a voice that certainly did not
show any anxiety.
1 was beginning to think that the
young urchin / sent had played me
false, and made off with my half crown
without doing anything for it, he said !;
and explained that he had fetched me
from two miles away.
j am sorry that you have had to
come so far he said politely. L thought
that he would be able to find medical
man much nearer Surely there are
some?'
Yes, but your messenger did not
appear To know of them / answered
ind the old gentleman murmured some
Thing about a doctorV always being
ready for a new patient. as he led the
way into a room on Il first floor at
the back, and placed the lamp on the
table. l glanced around the place
quickly, expecting to see some sign OF
the person 1 had come 10 attend.
THE room was comfortably, almost
handsomely furnished, as sittinl
room, and contained a cheerful-lookine
flre, before which two arm chairs were
drawn up, with a small table between
them, containing two glasses, bottle
~ whiskey,and a syphon OF soda water
besides box of cigars. But there wa.
no sign OF a patient.
Take your great coat off and sit
down said the old gentleman; 'yol
can put your things on the table
n suppose you will not object to a glas,
Of Scotch and cheroot? i can recon.
klend the cheroots.
He had seated himself in one of tn.
m-chars as he spoke, and was filling
he glasses.
Pardon me- said, in considerab blc
Yastonishment, but had not better Sc,
2 the patient before | do anything else ?
He looked up, as If surprised at my
suggestion,
"'oh, l am the patient, he said, pla
cidly.
Il stared in greater surprise thar
ever, for he looked quite a picture O
health. and he smiled good-naturedly.
If you will sit down, / will tell yol
what is the matter with me- he said
as placidly as before. i do not like L
see man standing when l am sitting
and II you do not take your coat OF