Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1903-01-08


rough road-and planned it with my
hands. | was born in log cabin; was
reared in the backwoods. literally ed
ucated myself At the age of eighteen |
began to teach school. Previous to
that, had worked at hard manual la
bor-anything | could get to do. Tie
privations | endured while preparing
myself for my life's work, no one
knows-or ever will know.
Immediately after | graduated, |
married and began the practice Of my
profession in this village. Armed with
good health pluck and perseverance,
| have fought my way step by step.
have made many enemies-and but few
friends. My early struggles tempered
the metal that was in me, and prepared
me for the battle | have had to fight.
| was naturally pugnacious; my train
ing made me aggressive 1t has been a
hard and bitter contest-a contest that
has coarsened my finer sensibilities,
perhaps. | do not know. At any rate,
there was no avoiding it; it was thrust
upon me.
Those who were my enemies when
came here are my enemies today. have
succeeded in spite of their opposition
not by their help. ask of them no
favor; | show them no quarter Chief
among those who have assaulted me on
every hand-and who have not scorned
to take unfair advantage Of me when
opportunity offered-are the Nc
Deritts, the Gridleys, and the Bentleys.
They are called-'the best families:
and no doubt they are good people in
many ways. But they are my enemies.
| do not patronize them; they do not
patronize me. buy my dry goods in
Malconta; they send there for a physi-
clan. The condition of affairs is to my
liking
Besides, could not trust one of
them. George Bentley is grasping. Had
he lived in the days of Christ, he would
not have cast lots for the Saviour's
raiment; he would have taken the
whole by force. Hugh McDevitt is de-
celtful-dishonest. He would steal the
tear from an orphans cheek, if he
thought it had cash value"
Marlowe was startled by his employ
er's strange but apt metaphor; and his
countenance showed it. DR.. Barwood
had uttered the last few sentences in
a tone of bitter and intense earnest
ness. But noting the expression upon
his companions face, he smiled and
said:
Does my Language shock you? 1t
need not; for they say meaner things
Of me, assure you"
Il cannot help but doubt that"
Ralph replied, smiling in turn.
You think they could not?"
That's what mean-yes."
DR.. BarwOod made no reply; but sat
silently staring at the floor, for some
seconds-the while stroking his thin
beard and scowlng fiercely.
Marlowe smiled inwardly. He was be-
ginning to understand the irascble
physician. to appreciate his strength
and weakness. The older man had re-
Vealed himself more than he knew:
and the younger had caught glimpse
of his true character-and was ire
sistlbly drawn toward him.
He is a chestnut bur" was Ralphs
shrewd estimate; "the exterior all
spines and pckles-the interior. all oil
and satin. But the frost of age Is be-
ginning to crack tho pod: and he who
will may gain peep inside"
or a sudden DR.. Barwood threw up
his head and said brskly:
But to come to the point. I don't
want you to become the intimate of
any members Of the families | have
named"
He paused expectantly; and Mar
lowe%eplied;
If they speak me fair, doctor.
shall not reject their friendship"
you persist in misunderstanding
me" the doctor snarled. II do not wish
you to take up my quarrel; nor do |
wish you to ally yourself with my enc
mics. | shall not object to a passing
outward show of ci-
Witty and friendlncss. But you must
not become intimate with them"
"Why?"-CC'dly.
Because-because thew will mako
trouble between us-will do all in their
power to make you dissatisfied with
your place and your employer"
Il understand your meaning, doctor.
But you will find | am not easily in
Huenced by the opinion of others.
depend largely upon my own observa-
ton and experience, in forming my es-
innate OF men and things. II ever
come to dislike you, become dissatis-
fed with your employ it will be be-
cause Of your usage Of me; and not be-
cause of what others may think or
say of you"
A gratilied expression for a moment
the hard lines of DR.. Bar
woods countenance. But shaking his
head he replied:
"Perhaps-but remember have eau
toned you"
would it not be better, doctor"
Ralph suggested, that | should be in
innate with both you and your antag-
it be possible-and use my
good offices to bring about a lasting
.ruce?"
Mo-" Numbered the doctor spring
ing from his seat. his features comfort
ID with anger. ut Is not to be thought
IF. As you have intimated, you can
not sustain such a position You must
md shall make your choice between
n. a truce. A truce indeed, Never! !
will fight them as long as | live: and !
l3tc them at the hour Of my death. !
When ! break off a friendship I burn
he bridges behind me, to prevent a re- |
URN. They have wronged me. maligned !
md abused me. | will never forgive I
itom-neYpri