Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1903-01-08
upon the counter and said gruffly:

upon the counter and said gruffly;
i would have been back sooner;
but | have been dragged all over the
southern end of the county by pack
OF scalawags who are always sick
and always penniless. What calls are
in, Mr.. Narrower"
Here is the list l kept, DOCTOR"
Ralph replied simply, handing him a
slip of paper.
The physician took the list and hur-
riedly looked it over. AS he did so,
his shoulders sagged YEARLY and a
spasm of pain crossed his face.
You are tired" Marlowe remarked
In matter of fact tone.
Without looking up, DR.. Barwood an
swered surily: Yes, l am tired-and
hungry. So would you be, had you been
over every crossroad and into every
cabin, almost, between here and Bear
Run; and had nothing to eat since
daylight"
Then meditatively to himself:
"Curston's on the FoXtown road.
can't go there today; must leave that
until bOLiOilON' AL lliC OJllcl CdllS
are in town, except the one to Smiley's
on Norton Ridge. Jep, start
ling suddenness-"take the gray mare
to the blacksmith and have her shoes
reset; and put the sorrel to the cart
| must be off to the country again as
soon as | have had bite to eat and
have made few calls"
Tucker arose lumberingly and start
ed for the door. With the words am
going to dinner, Mr.. Marlowe; shall be
back soon'-the physician also turned
to leave the room.
Doctor, | will hang your things in
the entrance to the basement" Ralph
said carelessly. 81 have put up hooks
there"
mo" DR.. Barwood answered short
ly. Leave them where they are"
But they are in my way"
81 can't help that. Leave them alone.
want them handy"
"I'll get them for you when you want
them DOCTOR"
With the words, Marlowe quietly
picked up the bones of contention and
carried them from the room. Like a
beast at bay the doctor stood and glar-
ed after the young mans retreating
form. Tucker gasped for breath. Such
temerity was unheard of. He felt the air
was surcharged with electricity, that
the storm he had been expecting was
about to break. But he was mistaken.
Ralph returned to his place and coollv
busted the counter where the offending
articles had lain; and turning on his
heel the physician took his departure
"a curious smile Pickering about his
firm mouth.
Jep followed his employer through
the door, muttering under his breath:
well, I'll be everlastin'ly bamboo
zled! l never seen Doc Barwood melt
an leak away like that before. was
countin' on a storm-areg cyclone
an jimmycane rolled into one; an
Their wasn't even a puff o. wind mr.
clap O thunder. Nobody else on earth
could ave done what that young Teller
done. The OIL doc Id stormed Their cas-
ties in a minute. Hun Blamed if the
OF man didn't ruther seem to enjoy it,
Went out a smilin', by jeeminy"
IL was WV " NlOCh WItil III. I)uINOOu
returned to the drugstore.
Il have made my calls" he remark
ed pleasantly, to Marlowe; land now
must be off to the country again. But
before ] start | want to talk with you
Sit down here"
Ralph dropped into a chair near tho
end of the bench where the doctor had
seated himself; and the latter went on
Il wish to get or pleasantly with
you; therefore ! would warn you
against doing certain things that are
Objectionable to me, and associating
with certain people whom | dislike. To
begin with, will not tolerate drinking
nor gambling"
81 indulge in neither" Ralph inter
rupted stiffly.
Unheeding the interruption, the doc
tor continued placidly:
"Of the three clerks | had in the last
eighteen months, the first was a sot-
and neglected my business; the second.
a cumberland Systematically robbed
me; the third, consummate scoundrel
who was both and did both. The pub
lie does not know this; / am not in the
habit OF publishing my private affairs.
| am blamed in the matter.
People say these young men could not
stand my eccentriclties, my arrogance
my brutal TENDER; and that they left
Of their own accord. II is not true. dis
charged them-just as | will discharge
you, II your services 10 not come up to
my expectations"
you will not have to discharge me.
DR.. BarwOod." Marlowe said calmly !
IF at any time | get an inkling that
my services do not please you. shall !
resign Immediately. More than that. If !
find the situation does not suit me
'or any reason, | shall promptly quit
your service"
That inscruiable smile again lighted |
he physicians countenance. as he re-
llied:
Il like your spirit, at any rate: and |
hope we may not come into conflict.
But to proceed with the matter I'm
land; ! know nothing Of your past.
'our antece1ants. your record: nor do |
wish to know. The recommendations
'ou sent are sufficient. But I would
aution you that there are people in
his village with vbo,, 49,, - -