The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-06-11

ptal had acquitted himself with i'm
punity Of additionally fatal enter
prise-be had drawn with his lips the
poison from n cloggcd tube in case of
diphthcria and had suffered no i'll eff
fccts as Il consequence. This was to
stand remarkable, not for the act
which had infinite noble precedent
but for its sequel; yet, three days after
the event. the young doctor would re-
call his deed with little else than a
warmth of professional pride as over
the successful conduct of Il case.
But then, it is true, he had some en-
crossing personal matters to occupy
that much Of the attention he could
spare from his patients, matters that
were TO reach their curious cuminat-
ing point, during the course of his third
day, in contrctcmps that would APP
pear to have been designed of Provi-
dcnce for the express acknowledgment
Of merit. Introductorily and essentially
to the context, it may be promised that
George George WAS young; that he was
without money or substantial interest;
that he had all the world to win.
His present post. his first, was just
sufficiently remuncratiye to enable him
to live embarrassed of creditors. He
had been fortunate in procuring it
through the recommendation of great
uncle who was also an inhabitant of
Brantham and Il trustee to the estates
of the hospital itself: and under the
acgis Of this worthy the house surgeon
had already passed the first half of his
year of office, when suddenly his pa
tron and relative died.
Now this. doubtless. was a matter for
AL decent regret; and it shall be said
that the deceaseds grand nephew was
affecting no more than he felt land
that was honest measure for he had
had a liking for the old gentleman
when he was Informed. to his utter as
constituent. that his uncle had left him
by will everything of which he had
died possessed.
The shock was as genially stunning
as is unexpected applause to an incip-
lent orator; the reaction as depressing
as might be the discovery on the part
of such orator that he had been cried
up ironically. For, so it appeared,
George George had been bequeathc;l,
in all inspiring phraseology, Il heritage
of-emptness.
How this was SO became at once APP
parent. The departed trustee had been
a government pensioner. His income
died with him. While he lived, this
had either sutficcd simply for his wants.
or else he had been-and such was his
reputation--a deplorable skinHint. Re-
suits. however, would not appear to
substantially the latter charge. No Sc
curities no dividend warrants. no per-
sonal estate or boarded capital were
d;sinterred from chest or bureau after
the most uncommon investigation. His
bod Tod IA
at either end the testator's financial po-
sition. and the disappointed legatee had
at last to face his disillusionmenr. ana
accept his inheritance for what it was
worth. This was little enough. i'll all
conscience trife of money at the
bank, the almost moribund leasehold
Of house in Bridge street and the
furniture and personal effects tall of in
different value) therein contained. The
unhappy Doctors momcntary dreams Of
being able to realize his best ambition
by purchasing practice ut the termi-
nation of his year of office, were dis
solved into thin air.
Now, it was no good starting a grey
ance against Fate because his holiday
mood had received Il drenching. SO to
sneak. 1t was not like him, moreover.
~.
disappointing job, and straiehtway put
up to auction the whole of the house
hold paraphernalia (which in view of
the near expiration of the lease, cou.d
be of no earthly use to h'ml, with the
object of converting it into ut least an
inconsiderablc nucleus of capital.
Even here. however, disenchantment
seemed to wait upon him. The day of
the sale--conducted on the premises by
Bull & Hackcr---was chill and swampy;
the attendance was poor; the bidding
spiritess and inefficient.
The doctor-as before introduced, with
the modest memory of his deed of hero
ism overloaded by present preo"cupa-
tion--ooked in during the course or The
afternoon to see how matters were pro-
crossing. As to that. he was seized at
once with a Uncomfortable conviction.
The lots were being knocked down with
as cheap popularity MS ii they were
skittles in an alley. Several. while he
waited were sold for an ''old song,
and it was the barb in the sting to him.
as always to the uninitiated, ~ observe
in each that incongruous ASSOCIATION OF
objects. presumably much better offered
apart. that it is the irreverent hu'nor
of auctioneers to exhibit N their tabu-
lating of the household gods.
Item: A coal scuttle, scent fouI'
t:sn, two clothes horses AMI sundric5
(the latter inclusive, apparently, OF a
charwoman's bonnet and a France pho
tograph Of somebody's aunt. III crino-
line. standing by an Ionic PEDESTAL. TX
shillings. Item: \ camp washstand,
three dish covers and pnrdonium
(which turned ont to he nothing but the
coal scuttle over again, two shillings
Item: Plaque. The Wandering jew Ia
fanciful description evolved out Of the
fine genius OF the auctionecrs clerk. n-l
asmuch as the figure was obviously and
even aggressiyely feminine probably al
8ecatel. painted in Il flower pot saucer
by an amateur. But it fetched good
price. three and sixpence. Item: An
ormolu and hronzed three-light gasalier.
Al this point something of a brisk
rally occurred in the bidding. 1t was at
the instance OF Il stranger. who, upon
the calling Of the lot il04 was its num-
berl. swiftly detached himself from the
gloom OF the outer ring of bystanders