The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1901-07-12
By COUNT LEO TOLSTOI.

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The great doctor" had been called to
the country seat of the sick millionaire,
and, arriving just as the crisis had set in,
was able to tell the family few hours
later that he had saved his patients life.
Scarcely could wife and children do
enough to express their gratitude. They
praised the great doctor as if he had
been deity. Would not he accept their
hospitality for short time? 1t would
make them UNNECESSARILY happy and
proud No, the great doctor was in a
hurry, for on the morrow there began in
Moscow IA medical congress which he
must not miss, as the health and happi-
ness of great many people in all parts
of the world depended on the exploitation
of certain discoveries which he was going
to announce.
So the best sleigh was taken out of
the she'd The blooded horses which the
proprietor reserved for his own personal
use were none too good for him, and, COW
cred with precious furs, a hamper with
delicacieS under the seat, his excellency
started out into the night AS he drove
from the castle yard the steward ran
after him. "A brace of pistols, worship
full sir! One never knows what may hap
pen The coachman also is well armed"
The sleigh had proceeded only few
versts when suddenly the horses stopped,
reared and plunged. Whip and words
failed to make the brutes go Il step far
ther. Then a man stepped from the shad-
ow of a tree and, uncovering lantern,
approached.
Brother" he said raising his hat,
"can you spare me a seat? | am bound
for the village, where a poor patient of
mine is in the throes of death"
The doctor recognized the young physi-
clan whom he had met in the castle, but
who had seemed to vanish into thin air
after the authority from the capital had
made his much heralded appearance.
''Step in" he said, with all the conde-
scension at his command, but he could
have kicked the fellow for asking him.
L he young tsoctor seated himself by the
professors left and the horses resumed
their furious pace. II would deem it
great favor, brother, if you would stop a
moment when we arrive in the village
and take look at the old woman. Maybe
you could proong her life he said after
awhile.
The great doctor did not care to hide
his annoyance. II haven't minute to
spare" he grumbled. mot a minute.
Don't ask me-" And he drew his hood
closer around his ears.
but you will pass her hut. Please
consider
In tone more angry than before the
great doctor inquired, What's the mat
ter with your old wench, anyhow?
''The old lady is suffering from con-
sumption"
"Consumptionv' roared the great doc
tor with IA sheer "And for such a com
mon disease you bespeak the presence of
specialist like me?"
You think, then, that there is no hope?
Is this your expert opinion, brotherT' the
country physician asked.
The great doctor drew himself away
from his colleague. Looking him full in
the face, he said in a voice trembling
with suppressed rage, young man,
think that the time and abilities devote
to the highest scientific tasks and prob
lens should not be wasted by running in
competition with a cupper sawbones
such as you"
But your excellency just comes from
an errand of that kind You succeeded
the cupper at the millionaire's bed, but
of course expect to be well paid for low
ering yourself. Every man has his price"
Hold your tongue, sir" cried the
great doctor, you are forgetting who
am"
"A brother colleague" insisted the
stranger. You can't forget that. We
are in the same business. though our
methods differ. | am employed by poor
people because | never prescribe costly
medicines. The rich employ me, too
when they must. You witnessed that at
the castle. Still your last success, like all
previous achievements of yours, depended
upon my good WILL Fool that you are to
think that you saved Michael Nicolaie-
witch from death 1t was Death that re-
jected him for this one time"
With these words. carelessly spoken,
the stranger fixed his impressive eyes on
his companion, who began TO tremble.
Its cold night-a mighty cold night F"
continued the stranger; "or is it perhaps
fear that makes you shake sc?
Nonsense said the great doctor, but
he would have given a thousand rubles
for the privilege of throwing the stranger
out. And as he looked him over to weigh
his chances in a possible conflict his COM
panion seemed to grow and expand. He
was becoming more formidable every sec
ond; more awe inspiring aud more famil-
lar too
Stop cried the professor. Driver,
stopr But the horses doubled their pace.
The sleigh collided with trees. overhang,
ing branches brushed against its cover.