Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1902-01-11
THE INDOMITABLE DOCTOR

Andre la Mourlette, the banker, is very
proud of his carefully cultivated reputa-
ton for originality, and never loses an
opportunity to run counter to general
opinion and usage. But he has not the
slightest desire 10 impose his own views
on others, and, furthermore, he would
not for the world have anything on his
conscience in regard to the care of his
family. So, when the smallpox scare
broke out, and his wife talked to him
about it. he urged her TO lose no time i'll
going, with the children, to the family
doctor for Il dose of the porphylactic
virus, but he carefully abstained from
accompanying them.
When his wife returned she said:
The doctor told me | must send you
10 him to be yaccinattu. toe"
Just let me alone" he answered with
n shrug. You and the children have
been jabbed, and If you like it, all right:
| don't intend to catch smallpox, so
see no reason why | should have sore
arm"
AS you please, my dear"
That same evening Andre went % his
club and played whist as usual. Abont
IL O'Clock the doctor made his appear
ancc.
DR.. Lepercicr was what people call "a
true Partisan" Though only 10. he en-
ioycd great professional reputation,
erary and artistic people. and never
failed to attend the first performance of
a new play. Besides, he was an ali
around sportsman, and, in particular, an
accomplished fencer.
Did Nine. la MourlCtte give you my
meSsage?' he asked the banker.
"Oh. yes, doctor; but | shall not trou-
BILE YOU
You have been vacciuated recently"
No
Have you had smallpox"
No"
Then. why don't you do as other peo-
rle dO?'
"Recause other people are fools.
You are mistaken"
The doctor said no more ON the sub
ject that evening, hut the next evening,
and the next. he returned to the charge
with the same result. Both the doctor
and the banker wert regular attendants
at the club, and they lad their little
wrangle about vaccination every night
for a week.
At last Andre lost patience. flung down
his cards, and exclaimed:
See here, doctor, You make me tired
with your COMPOUNDED vaccination. If
YOU mean it as Il joke, let me tell you
that it is a mighty poor one. Once for
all. | won't be vaccinated. Now shut
up
Every one expected that the docto.
would meet this outhurSt with a good
humored sarcasm. but. instead of doing
so, he rose To his feet ana said, gravely
and eoldly:
Il cannot permit anyone to address
me in such 4 manner. ] beg NJ. Bcaudoin
and Capt. Chibremol," he added. turning
10 those gentlemen. TO demand Of yo1
in my name the satisfaction which Your
language makes necessary"
Very WELL" cried Andre Il would
rather be wounded H. a sword than by
4 lancet" And he at once selected two
members of the club 10 arrange prciimi-
narieS with the doctors seconds
Everythn" was settled that evening.
As both principals wished 10 have the
affair over as soon as possible. it was ar
ranged that they should fight next morn
ing with raperS. the first blood drawn
to decide the matter. The captain I'M
deEiook to provide the rapicrS There
was no necessity for Andres seconds 10
bother about a choice Of a surgeon. for
llr, Lepercier would, OF course attend
10 his adversary if the latter should h.
wounded. Besides. he would bring opr
81 his colleague with him.
The meeting took place as arranged.
The doctor brought with him DR.. Roudo.
In. good fellow, but crank on the
two subjects Of music and antiSepticS.
apt th!hrcmol produced the swords.