Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1903-03-19
The Doctors
Ride
BY w. E. MAGELLAN.

which whirled the loose snow in blind
ing drifts and filed the country roads
TO oyerflowing. At dark the storm be-
gan to abate; but il was still clustering
at nine O'Clock, when DR.. John Graham
plunged out through the banks in his
stable-yard for goodnight look at has
horses.
Goodnight, Frank, old Lad, said he,
with parting pat TO the shining, out
stretched neck Of his pet saddle-horse.
"We're in for a good rest tonight. No
calls for us before morning"
DIR. Graham soon settled down in the
comfortable sitting-room of his home,
in fine humor to enjoy the rare treat
of an evening with his mother and sis
ter. II was after II o'clock before his
attention was again called TO the outer
world by the whistle Of a passing train.
"That must be the evening express
nearly three hours late" said the doc
tor. He went to a window and peeped
out between the closely-drawn cur
tains.
"What Is the night like now, John?'
asked his mother.
at has turned out quite fine, mother.
The sky is clear, the moon is shining.
and the drift seems to have nearly
stopped"
He returned to his chair and resumed
his reading aloud, but was interrupted
BY a sharp peal from the office bell.
80 John. you won't 60 out tonight"
cried his sister. "surely, you-" But
he was already out Of the room on his
way to the office door
When Il was opened, the snowy figure
Of a man, with face and beard so in
crusted with frost as to be unrecog-
nizable, stood before him.
Doctor, . said the man. in shaking
voice my boy isdying! Come quiekl'
"Whoare you? What ails your boy?'
asked the doctor, drawing the man into
the room.
I'm Sam Williams. Of Mountain Riy-
er, two miles out OF town. My boy
Bob's cut his wrist-he was maxim
shavin's for kindlin' He's losin' blood
awful His mothers all alone with
him. Won't you come at once, doc
tori"
"Just as soon as can get into my
coat and boots. TIN save time If you'll
saddle my horse for me while I'm get
ting ready-the one in the first STAN"
DR. Graham turned TO his mother
and sister. who had followed him into
the office.
what can You be thinking Of, John?"
cried his sister. "You told us the roads
were entirely blocked How can you
expect TO get to the Williams place, on
horseback, now?"
Williams dropped with moan into
the nearest chair. God help us, she's
right" he said. 81 forgot, too; you
can't begin 10 ride 10 my house to-
night The banks are ten feet deep in
places. If it hadn't been for that train
comm along with its snow-plow, I'd
never have got here"
"Then III go back with you by the
track" said the doctor.
"But you can't ride, that way; and
BobTl be gone before you get there
afootl" sobbed Sam.
DR. Graham considered a moment.
Eyes, I can ride the track. SAM" he
said at hasn't been drifting since the
train came in"
"But the culverts!" cried his sister.
There are only two open ones in
the road between here and Sans. I" said
the doctor. Neither Of them is more
than ten feet wide. Frank can jump
them"
"John," said his mother, laying
OBTAINING hand on his arm and looking
searchingly into his eyes. "are you sure
II is rightto try such a ride? May there
not be trains on the road?"
''No; not after the evening express
is in"
go, then, and God bless youl" said
HIS mother, as she stood aside to let
him pass.
Fetch out my horse as quickly as
you can, Sam, said the doctor.
Two minutes later Dr. Graham.
mounted on Frank and bending well
forward in his saddle. dashed down
side street toward the nearest level
crossing. and striking the track. rode
along it toward the Williams home
stead.
He found thoroughly good road be
fore him, and allowed his horse TO
break at once into a sharp gallop.
Snow, old and new. packed by snow
plows and trains, thawed. frozen hard
again, and frequently renewed and
softened and hardened, had covered the
sleepers completely, SO that a smooth,
glittering path stretched away be
tween the rails.
"Now, then, Frank. old chap" said
the doctor, settling himself firmly in
his saddle. get ahead as fast a YOU
Ike
Frank CHAD 70 he out after his long
days housing, struck an eager pace.
More than mile was covered before
I DR. Graham drew rein He was close
upon the first Of the two culverts Of
which he had spoken. A short distance
beyond & the road ran into "a deep cut
ting through which il curved out upon