The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1903-01-01

PLANNLNG SURPRISE FOR THE pOCTOE.
peculiar to remark. seeing as how we
had the most likely looking graveyard,
considering the population, as you
would find III all the Sierras. But the
gents as populated the graveyard was
mostly lively and healthy lot up to
and inclusive Of the moment Of their
demise
''Thats what the boys was speaking
of when the doctor came into camp.
Long Bill remarked to me that the
boys who was hurt ought to make an
effort TO last until the doctor could ar
rive, which would give him legal
claim on any dust they might leave
He was just the Kind of Il chap for the
camp if 50 it had been that there was
any trade for him, for he was quiet
nervy, had more book learning than
the editor and was cheerful and oblig-
ing, especially Obliging, for he preached
beautiful sermon over the late dealer
at the faro bank, though the said dealer
had died of his wounds before Doc az
rived.
''Some said as how we ought to send
dON ii III tuc Ndllty where tHty were dl
shaking eternally with malaria and i'm
port a bunch of the shakers for Doc to
practice on and pay him so much for
the cleanup. He laughed when we
proposed this and said it would be I'M
professional, because he knew the party
as had the practice in the valley.
Then we proposed that thereafter,
marty IVip.r pf his wounds, f.cf orn
the Doc could arrive the said party's
effects should be levied upon for fee
to be paid to Dec.
''-All the boys agreed to that. and we
got 50 worked up over the prospect that
Il disagreement resulted that very
night. in which Il Wells Fargo shotgun
messenger blew al the Latin parts out
OF Il friend with Il ten gauge duck gun,
which the same. for purposes of stage
robbers was of Il sawed off character.
The party as was shot was mostly
missing between his hips and his chest,
the rcmGins being only twothirds. but
we joyfulIy sent fer Doc just the same.
We'll, lie came. and when lie saw the
state of the case lie said as he wasn't
an undertaken he couldn't lie of any
service
Then we told him of the new rule
and offered him the pile of the de
ceased, which was in Il canvas sack
behind the bar He wouldn't take it,
not even Il sample for assay, and the
disappointment Of the boys was sad to
see. especially the shotgun messenger,
whose intentions had done honor to his
heart and aim.
1t was 4 few days before New
Years that the editor showed us a
piece i'll san Francisco paper. which
was Il kind OF lGcal notice, stating that
our Doe WAS going "a be married TO 4
lady il that city That sets us think
ing. and We thought harder than ever
when ia, Doe tells us that he was go
Ing TO leave IL on New Years day To
take Up his practice i'll san Francisco.
We held Il u.ee,tnG and discussed the
state OF affairs. having Il pretty good
idea 81 how the land lay financially
with Dec. because his money was on
deposit with the express agent and he
was chairman ~ our meeting.
We'll. 1T that meeting we laid out Il
plan that worked as slick rs dia-
mond drill. ON the day before New
Years Doe WAS sent for 10y Long Bill,
who told him his old rheumatic was
working again Ike i forty stamp
quartz mill. Dec prescribed. and
when Bill asked what was the ante
Doc said il would be 81. Bill said he'd
hand it to him when he bid him good
by at the stage office next day. Then
l sent for Doe and said that old bullet
wound in my leg was on strike again,
took my prescription and promised to
pay next day.
Il don't suppose any doctor in the
world ever had rs busy Il day as ours
did that day. 1t seemed like every
man III camp was sick. There was
trouble about noon because the boys
ran out of names of diseases. but
went up to Docs office and copied out
lot Of names from one of his books
and then We kept things booming
Some of the younger boys got stuck
on the names of sickaCS>,s l dealt out
to them to make 4 choice from and
played the whole deck, which seemed
to puzzle Doc somewhat.
We'll, the next day we met and
marched around to the stage abo,''