The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-02-23
Rc could oftca, be seen aCalking along the
PlcUSG1lcf.

that man came to consult me about
separation from bis wife, and he brought
his family Bible cut Of the pawnshop to
show me the dates of his marriage and
birth of his children. gave him some
thing when he went away so that he
would not need to take the Bible back
into pawn, at least not Immediately. Lo
you think I need any qualification for
that?''
4.And those people outside?" said the
doctor, not yet entirely convinced.
"Will you go round the wards with
me??'' said Billiam, smiling brightly
and irresistibly.
Without another word he led the
way to the door Of the next room. It
seemed to the doctor fuller than ever.
s.Lame dogs this way, said Billiam
in matter of fact manner, and half q
dozen men slouched after him. Very
deftly Billiam laid out row Of small
shining instruments upon the table,
with salve, lint ard bandages arranged
behind him.
Then he took animal after animal in
to his hand, set it upon the table, passed
his fingers lightly to and fro over its
head and ears time Or two, listened to
the owners voluble explanations with
out appearing to notice them, and forth
with proceeded to deliver little clin-
ical lecture. His deft fingers shipped
away the matted hair from a neglected
and fostering sore. He cleaned the
wound tenderly, the dog often instirc-
lively turning to snap. Yet all the time
Billialn never once finched, but talked
steadily, impartially and sy,nrathetical-
ly to the animal and his master till the
sore was dressed and the patient rece-
livered with all duo directions to his
owner.
Before long Dr. Macfarlane ! came so
interested that he waited while case
after case was disposed Of with the un-
erring accuracy of a hospital expert.
Sometimes he would instinctively have
the lint or the bardage ready in his
hand, just as if be had still been dresser
at the old infrmary and waiting for
Lister to work off his batch.
At the end of half an hour he had 40
more remembrance Of Billiam' want Of
qualifications. He asked him to come
round for supper and smoke a pipe. But
Billiam only smiled and said, "Thank
you hundred times, doctor, but have
some private cases in the back room to
attend to yet, and then I must read Up
my stuff for tomorrow. y
After awhile there came to visit Bill
liam a minister or two familiar with
the district, the young resident mission
ary from the students hall, a stray law
yer's clerk or two--and the superintend-
ent Of police. They all came to cayil,
but one and all they remained to hold
bandages and be handy with the vase
line.
On one occasion the minister OF St.
Margaret's offered Billiam tie use Of a
pew i'll his church, but Billiam said,
Sunday is my day for out patients, or
should be glad For Billiam was
gentleman and always answered even a
dissenting clergyman politely.
''You should think of your immortal
SOUL said the minister.
Who knoweth, !" said Billianl, "the
spirit Of the beast that goeth downward
into the EARTH
And Billiam could never find out why
the minister weng away so suddenly OF
why he shook his head ever afterward
when they met in the street. 1t never
crossed his mind that Mr.. Gregson OF ST
Marsarst's had taken him for an infidel
and dangerous subverter of the system
Of religion as By law established. Yet
SO it was.
In due time Billianl $ nest CT sarrets
became known as the lame dogs home
and grew famous throughout the entire
city-that is, the southern city Of high
lands, steep streets. winding stairs and
odorous closes, with their Arab popula-
tion Of boys and dogs.
TO BE CONTINUED.