Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1900-03-28


The great surgeon had come down to
Marion for rest and forgetfulness. He
had meant to 90 where there WAS nei-
ther pain nor sorrow. II such an Eden
existed. and he had come To Marion.
For one thing. IL was not on n railroad:
for another. Its diminutive size pre-
cluded the idea that the clanking
chains Of business life were about il.
IL was just a lazy little hnmlet-a
church. general store. n score OF
struggling white houses with green
blinds. and that was all.
Here the surgeon meant 10 bury him
self for his precious four weeks out
ing. He could have gone To Europe as
the guest OF a millionaire had he said
the word. He knew he needed Marion
Instead
The great surgeon had been sadly
overworked. All through the summer
months he had promised himself that
he would stop and rest. Ii was late in
September before he finally started
He felt that his iron nerves were Civ
ing way. and one September morning
he noticed that the marvellous steadi-
ness OF his good right hand was im-
paired. He knew then that he had
enough.
He went away with all the precau-
tions OF n dcfaulter He left no ad-
dress He desired no mail. no tele-
grams. 20 follow him. For n month he
meant 10 drop his professional exist
ence. He picked out his destination at
haphazard from the big map on his Of
nce wall. He was Influenced. as has
been said. hy the fact that the little
village was of the line of travel He
bought his ticket for n point beyond
the railway town that was MariOn's
nearest connection and then doubled
back
And now" he said. as he alightcd
valise In hand. from the mall stage
that brought him over heres an end
to the surgeon shop For n month I'm
somebody else somebody who knows
no more OF struggling with human all
ments than he does OF throttling Thra-
clan gladIators."
He hadn't even brought q profession
al card with him.
A half hour later he was comfortably
lodged In the upper front room OF the
Widow GileJte's cOZy cottage with a
wonderful view OF smiling hillsides
and tinted woods and blue and white
sky from its extremely clean windows
He had told the widow that bis name
was Thomas Grown and that he was Il
worn ont travelling man who bad come
10 Marion for rest and quiet. Where
was he from? From Braceville. and
he named the railway town TO which
he had purchased his ticket when he
ran away from the big city.
Much sickness In Braceville?" in
Quired the widow.
The surgeon shuddered.
81 don't know" he said shortly and
taking his hat. went out for n stroll
AS he passed down the maple powered
highway beyond the row of houses
kicking the red and gold drifts OF
leaves as lie family remembered doing
when be was boy in that faraway
Iowa village. he noticed lame man ap
preaching. The man walked with
crutch. one OF his legs being bent stitiiy
at the knee He was a CHEEKY faced
old man In n faded blue blouse with
brass buttons
"Mornin. squire" he said. with true
rural affa bilIty.
"A fine morning" said the great SUP
geOn. resolutely looking away from the
stiffened knee.
"Not from my rheumatism's pint or
yiew." chuckled the old man.
"Rheumatism. eh p said the surgeon.
IL thoughf it might have been gun
shot wound" The lame man had halt
ed. and the surgeon felt that he was
called upon 10 say something.
mo. sir" said the lame man. with
much emphasis. Il went thro' tn
war without scratch. Got into II
pitched BATTLES an came out ag'in sound
as dollar. Uncle Sam don't owe me
nOthin. No. sir. Morniu." aud he
sturdily plodded along.
The suGcou smiled M the old mans
vehemcncC Then. as he looked back
at his pain cranped figure. he sighed
Somehow the sGnshinc didn't seem
quite so bright.
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