The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1899-04-15
THE DOCTORS STORY.
Bv Charles S. Hathaway.

Nv diploma dated ISio) 1ouf years
old, and from one of the best medical
colleges in the Land, had maintained
it's prominent position on the wall OF
my little country Office for nearly
three Years, :and as ] sat musing be-
fore tie great box stoye and its roaring
- wood fire ole wintry day, mentally
covering a fair countryside drive, l
concluded that those three years had
been reasonably prosperous.
AsI dreamed along in this fashion
my offse door was opened with rush,
and DARIUS: Robson plunged before
me, ,verS scaut of breath, with the
news. that his little boy was critically
i'll of. Group and that Dr.. Squiers, who
had been attending him, had recon-
,nended thaHI be called to 'tput tube
OF something in the child's throat"
that it was a new but sure cure with
which Squiets was unacquainted,. SO
far az lis own practice was concerned,
but that he had heard'of several sue
cessfuES operations I had performed.
ssWill You come; DOCTOR" asked Rob-
ison il tones and manner indicating
doubt and the gravest anxiety.
ssCeftalulN, Nj, Robson" I replied;
ttI will be there within half en- hour, I"
at which. with a .,fThank you, DOCTOR
Darius bounced out of the Office, and
the nszt instant he was running across
the street to the general stoce-a com
bination Of :.postofice, drug store and
all kinas:of. merchandise.
Within FIVE minutes I was ready
with my. instruments and medicine
case, and minute CIR two later the
stable boy Drought my horse and cut
ter orer@ ffom the country tavern,
where boarded, and I was of. The
two-mile: drive :over- good sleighing
with fresh horse was short one, so
that within 20 minutes was at the
side Of the suffering child with the
grief stricken parents and good cid
!. Dr.. Sduiers, very dignifed but inter
ested, watching my movements with
the closest scrutiny.
found the boy, about four years old,
suffering from acute membraneous
Lar yngitis. He was creeping about
over the bed, pursing his lips, opening
his mouth, .gasping and reaching out
with lis; hands; as if to pull the air
doyn 70 bis little lungs:.ezhis face was
WUe, the chest was fattened adu ue-
i pressed between the ribs and above
the clavicles, and the pitch and char
acter of his very difficult breathing in
dieated the presence Of membraneoas
obstruction il the farynx and glottis.
Dr.. Squiers administered the chloro-
fo,m, and I performed the operation
of tracheotomy, inserting tube. The
breathing of the child improved go
suddenly and so we'll that the shock
Z caused the father, who had watched
the opesatien, to fall in fainting con-
6ition, thus adding to the terror of the
mother and wife, who was waiting in
Ian adjoining room. Dr.. Squiersprompt-
" attended.to this side incident, how
eyer, and IN q short time the respira-
sions of the child were easy and regu-
aar, the natural color had returned to
Its face, and he had taken small
bortion of food. Meanwhile the father
nd mother had acquired condition
5 self-control and happiness, so that
hen I started home it was in the
sidst OF one of those dense and wholly
eahtiful halos of gratitude and adula-
lon which come 80 frequently to all
: Sfactitioners OF medicine and which go
l ng way toward wiping out the IA
guS nd.disappoirtments so common
the profession.
These details told today, in the
Eht:bf new instruments, newmethods
5 Id new operations, sound common
bee, but 20 years ago they were un-
uat' and: dramatic, and besides, at
time of which I speak, Darius Rob
n was county supervisor and was
supervisor. whose vote defeated my
eire to serve the county. Moreover,
had shown an unaccountable an
|athy toward myself ever since I had
ated ID the county.
Robisonfwas raised farmer aud had
district school education, but he was
An observing, investigating turn OF
aa, and, being industrious, frugal
correct as to his habits, be was
6gnized as valuable citizen who
well informed. interested in cur
& affairs and sincere IN his devotion
the prosperity Of his township.
Eong other things he had made
sc:ial study OF the tramp problem
by extensive reading upon phil.
&hical subjects, and the causes
sh are supposed to lead to mendi-
and itineracy, had views quite in
nee of those held by his neigh
bwever, he was appreciative and
full, as were his wife and boy, over
service I had performed, so that
- I enjoyed hearing the words OF
~ ,e, sometimes quite fulsome, I did
ionally grow weary over the same
of:the same story and the same
endaticns which was certain to
-: each time T met him or any mem
: his family.
lrefore when I learned, about
j; &ater;' that the Robisons were
* to move to the northern part OF
nsin to engage in the lumber
! ss, felt some regret and some
c,ion in that while might be
local friend, my reputation
be carried into the cutter world
by to my own advantage. They
len gone year or more when I
: Id a letter telling me IS to the
alsh Of the family, that Robson