Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-05-29
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY.
Ole PONDEROUS
- DOCTOR


been able TO take advantage of it in
treating patients except in change of
scene and such general recommends
lions. Tony Burns was a lusty young
farmer. perfectly healthy except for
an occasional stomach difficulty, which
would at times become so severe that
it was thought he might die. One
stormy afternoon Tony was attacked
by his trouble and his brother Ben sent
of for the doctor two miles away.
The roads We're knee deep with mud.
the doctor weighed nearly 300 pounds,
and the buggy was very light. Two
hours elapsed after Ben's departure.
and there was no sign of his return.
The room in which Tony was lying
overlooked the road for half 4 mile,
and he kept those in attendance upon
him running TO the window TO see If
the doctor was not in sight. Every
time he was disappointed his pain grew
worse and his groans louder. At last
he cried out that if something We're not
done for him Immediately he would die.
Suppose 1 try hot water" said his
mother.
go and get it," he groaned, but let
it not be too hot. because 1 couldn't
stand it. Be careful to get it just right
or you will kill me-
Run, Lucy" said the mother, ''to
the kitchen and get some hot water and
Il CLOTH
Lucy. a girl of fifteen, was scared ont
OF her senses and by the time she
reached the kitchen got it into her
head that it was cold water she was 10
bring, and, as il was not cold enough,
she put in piece OF ice. When she
reached the sick chamber with it, her
mother had gone out of the room, and
Tony, between groans. directed her TO
put the cloth fin the water and lay ii
on his stomach.
ooh. heavens" he moaned as he felt
the ice water. Now am done for"'
He closed his eyes to give up the
ghost, but somehow the ghost did not
care to be given up, and there came
upon Tony perfect relief. Doubtless
it came from his mind having been di-
verted.
The doctor-he is coming cried his
sister joyfully.
'He has been so long about it he
might better keep away" remarked
the patient.
what time they are having, and
how they sink into the mud, Good
gracious! The buggy is overturned
and the doctor down in the mud"
This was too much for Tony, who
got out of bed and went to the win
dow .-'t t.. -.-fr
''This won't do" said Tony. 81 must
go and help Ben"
But what will the doctor say? He'll
never come again when we want
him.
You get into bed, Lucy. III. tell
him that you are the invalid"
Tony hurried down to his brothers
assistance When Ben saw. him COM
ing, he dropped the doctor, whom he
had nearly got on to his feet, thinking
Ills brother had died and his ghost
was coming tosupbraid him for hav
ing been so long in bringing relief.
But Tony put his finger on his lips
and when he reached his brother wills
pered: I'm all right. Say it's Lucy
who is sick Tony then ran to the
fence and got two rails, which they
placed crosswise under the doctors
back. and, each putting Il shoulder TO
an end. they raised the ponderous man
to his feet.
81 thought YOU were sick" said the
doctor to Tony. Have 1 been brought
over this villainous road on n fools
errand?'
Its Lucy said the invalid.
The doctor looked surprised. but said
nothing. They got him into the buggy.
Ben took the horse by the head, but
the load was too heavy, so Tony went
behind and pushed. In this way they
got the doctor to the house. and, TAX
ing up his bag of medicines, he went
to the sick chamber. There lay Lucy,
covered up to the neck, very much
frightened at the part she was to play
and dreading lest the doctor would re-
sort to some desperate remedy.
s'H'm,'' he said, taking her wrist in
his fingers; every rapid pulse;" then,
taking the hand that had been dipped
in ice water: Circulation very low.
Where is the painF
.'In the stomach" said Lucy.
Lucky l brought my stomach pump
with me-" said the big man.
"Did / say stomach? Not that. It's
in my chest" said the patient, palinG.
The doctor put his ear down TO her
chest and listened.
you've probably got pneumonia.
This is just the weather for pneu-
monia. 1 expect I'll have it myself be-
fore get home"
He brought out so many Walls that
Lucy was again terrified.
II think it has gone into my ARM"
she said.
Your arm? Why. it's nothing but
rheumatism. To think of my having
been brought out in all this wind and
rain to treat n disease which l have
most of the time myself! You don't
need medicine. Wear fiannels.'
Indeed 1 will, DOCTOR" said the girl,
much relieved.
The doctor went down stairs, ready
to storm at the brothers for bringing
hin, ont fo fr.aat o cffnr,lfs fac Of rhptr-