The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-09-29
DR.. NM'S TEST.

, Rather Tom and Doctor Jim" they
ere called by the villagers. They were
rbrothers. Thomas and James Radcliffe,
respectively. old bachelors both. one the
village parson. who looked after the
souls of the brethren. while the other.
Brother Jim. doctored their bodies
Father Tom lived in the little parson-
age next the church. with the Oldest
woman inhabitant of the place-a dame
past 10. but who knew how to darn
stockings as his housekeeper. DR.. Jim
lived at the other end of the village
street and looked after his own house
work Even brothers who are so fond
Of each other as Tom and / ought to
live apart" said DIT. Jim. 1T strength
ems the affections"
The brothers passed every evening Of
their lives together, one night at the
parsonage and the next at the doc
tory" and they passed every one over
their pipes, for the parson wasn't a prig
and the doctor was wont to say that to-
bacco was the only known specific for
all human Ills.
Tom" said his brother one evening.
Il see that old Bill LsmsOn has died
over at Leeds"
Yes. jim" said Father Tom. land 1
was at his deathbed"
Il always suspected, Tom. that you
knew all about Bill Lamsons part in the
johnson killing years ago. if he had
part in it. which am inclined to believe
by the way. and that you kept the Whole
thing TO yourself"
Well suppose 1 did know about it.
Jim. II Lamson told me anything
which i won't grant even now-he told
ii to me because / was clergyman, and
4 is not in the clerical province to tell on
man who is repentant, no matter
FVnat his crime"
Right you are, Tom. and I tell you
that a physician ought to hold secrets
tient. / wouldn't give up a wounded
murderer if he had come to me for
treatment and had thrown himself on
my mercy and on my professional care.
I'd consider myself a sort of a father
confessor to his bodily ills. as you
might to the sins of his soul"
You re all wrong. Jim. You can't
class the physician with the priest. The
soul and the body are things apart and
the touch Of the sacred doesn't enter
into your profession as it does into
mine. You have no right TO claim the
clergyman exemption from giving
evidence against an evil-doer who has
trusted in you. In concealment you
do the state an injury"
Likely l would if such a condition
ever confronted me, Tom. but 1 would
mt give the fellow up if he had once
trusted me and 1 had cared for him. 1
might be an enemy of the state in so
doing, but I'd sleep better after it,
The brothers separated for the night
Dr. jim went into the little laboratory
back of the sitting room. musng over
the talk with his brother. 1T would
be curious situation to be placed in"
he thought. Ito have a wounded Grim
inal on your hands and to feel that the
state might look on you as an accom-
plice because you had failed to turn
him over to justice after you had
patched him up"
DR.. Jim sat up late studying He
heard a noise outside the door at an
hour after midnight. and, throwing it
open, man fell into the room and on
TO the floor. 4 seen your sign. doctor.
with the light Behind it. 1 guess I'm
done for. but mebby you can fix me
up."
The man gasped and tainted. Sturdy
DR. Jim picked him up and carried him
1, 10 the laboratory. where he laid his
= burden on the lounge and made a
n lasty examination. The man had a
ullet hole through the thigh, and was
eak from the loss of blood Beyond
What his injury wasn't serious. Dr.. Jim
stanched the flow and gave the man
restOratives."
Where did you get this wound2" he
asked his midnight visitor when he had
regained consciousness.
Don't you tell on me. Doc. I trusted
you 1 cracked a place with a pal. He
got away all right and has the swag,
but I got shot when the old Teller in
the house walked up. Maybe 1 done for
him. 1 don't know. though, but he
didn't shoot gain after he hit me, and
] LEI drive back"
You can't stay here" said Dr. Jim.
Patients and other people will be here
tomorrow. and you can't travel for a
week. I'll put you on a cot in a room
over the summer kitchen at the back of
the yard and I'll look after you, though
# goes against the grain" And the
doctor smiled bit grimly as he thought
of his conversation with Father Tom
few hours before.
An hour later the wounded burglar
was bandaged, fed and secreted in the