Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-05-09
William BeGlG, N. D., and
a Fashionable Illness
Rcw He Himself Became Fashion.
able 1hereirom, in Spite Of
Several Obstacles.


vi sat in his Office modify
M checking off on his fingers
NM the bones of the head. At
tM M times he stopped and Won
dered whether he would
ever have Il patient. lie sides stepped
his familiar question. however. ard
returned manfully 10 the bones of The
head.
William Eeebe VI. D.. had put up his
sign three months before. He had
chosen his neighborhood because he
had been given to understand that the
mortality there was high. During the
first month lie frequently stuck his
Nsaad out OF the window to assure HIM
hat no jealous competitor had
n his sign. During the second
h he had almost hoped for some
little epidemic which would Ell
-ell-paying run after the good
II. During the third month
; had expanded to an ambi-
ant. He yearned for Il pestilen-
ne or something. He did not
IS through any selfishness OF
uC, He merely wished that the
public should he educated regarding
the esrthly mission OF the medical fra
ternity.
1t might be mentioned at this point
that something emphatic may conii-
IDENTIFY be expected TO happen when q
doctors score against humanity reache
such high figure that he shuns the
haunts of man through fear OF fractur-
ing some innocent skull just TO expert
ence the plcasurab,e pride OF patching
1t UP again.
Jimmy Bocl;erty sat in the Imperial
Third Avenue Beer Palace. blandly
philosophical His legs were graceful
ly crossed. One arm was thrown over
the back of his chair. With his other
hand he lovingly and refectiveiy car
essed his flowing beard.
Occasionally Jimmy referred 10
paper in his hand. He read With close
interest n fully detailed account OF n
newly discovered malady with which
royal parsonage had been afflicted. Al
these times Jimmy's face became SUI
fused with smile OF ellish roguis:i-
ness. At length he gave well-sus-
tained chuckle of finality and picked
up his hat.
There's easy money and bed AMI
board in this thing" said he. land
think that young DIR. Beebe is the
man for the trick
Now Jimmy had always been proud
of his ingenuity. but he really srr
nrised himself Mt the fiuency OF his
.,dfton.iEe as he described his synp-
toms to Beebc few minutes later
Beebe sat there. full flushed with the
dignity OF his first patient all eager
expression ON his face. making copious
notes.
And I feel n dreadful tightness
here" said Jimmy graphically "aEd n
funny drawn feeling here" lie con-
tinued
'Glorious." murmurcd Beebc. lie
could restrain his rapidly increasing
enthusiasm 70 longer. My good man.
said he. do YOU know what ails you:"
''Surc." said Jimmy. comfortably.
Beebe fell back with Il puzzled scs-
70. Jimmy took the paper from his
cket and pointed out the article thar
d interested him in the Bee- Palace
That's what I've GOT he an
unced. proudly tapping the paper.
My I've got it in an aggravated
cm." He hitched up lis chair and
eparcd himself for confidential
czech. NOW that disease is rare he
Intinued. with careful meditation
of his voice: lit is likewise mysterious.
Royalty has just had il. and its bound
to he fashionable" He fixed Bcebe
With benevolent eye. Young man"
said he. do You know that il you
could cure me of this mysterious NAL
ndy il would make your reputation:"
"0h. ] can cure YOU said Bcebc,
with all the confidence of Il single man.
''that is. IL You really have it, he con
.inucd. doubtfully.
''Yes. sir. it would make your repu:a-
ion.- detained Jimmy with robust
Emphasis. His voice suddenly sank 10
whisper, land it will cost you $780,
le added.
Beebe showed Jimmy the door with
abored politeness. You get out of
BOXED nj him more in sorrow than in
ger
by the way. you might leave your
ldrcss." said Becbe. carefully avoid
ig Jimmy's eye.
Beebe. II may he remarked. had emu
ted the foghorn perhaps because lie
IL himself drifting. II is possible
tat 1t was for the same good reason
mt he deemed it wise 10 throw out Il
lie anchor to windward
I the sickroom 4 portencous quiet
railed. The blinds were drawn. An
lsional clink of medicine bottle
the only sound that broke the or.
siye silence. \ trained nurse in y
blue dress crossed the room. IicI
fell silently on the carpeted floor
the next room a consultation wci