The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1903-01-16
The Doctors
Ride
BY w. E. rrAcLELLAN.


ing drifts and filed the country roads
to overfowing At dark the storm be-
gan TO abate; but was still clustering
at nine o'clock, when DR.. John Graham
plunged out through the banks in his
stable-yard for good-nigh look at his
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 good rest tonight. No
calls FOR us before morning"
DIR. Graham soon settled down IN the
comfortable sitting-room. OF his home,
sn fine humor TO enjoy the rare treat
Of an evening with his mother and sis
ter. It was after II o'clock before his
attention was again called to the outer
world 10y 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.
1T 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 sharp peal from the Office bell
80 John. you won't go outto-night!"
cried his sister. "Surely. you" But
he was already ont Of the room on his
way TO the Office door.
When it 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 a shaking
voice. "my boy isdyingl Come quickl"
"Whoare you? What ails your boy?"
asked the doctor drawing the man into
the room.
'I'm Sam Williams. Of Mountain Riv-
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
tor?"
"Just as soon as I can get into my
coat and boots. TIN save time ifyou'll
saddle my horse for me while I'm get
ting ready-the one in the first stall"
DR.. Graham turned TO his mother
and sister, who had followed him into
the Office
"What canyon 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. "I forgot, too; you
can't begin to ride to 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
Boh'n be gone before you get there
afooti" sobbed Sam.
DR.. Graham considered a moment.
"Yes. I can ride the track, SAM" he
said. at hasn't been drifting since the
train came in"
"But the culyertsl" "cried his sister.
"There are only two open ones in |
the road between here and Sans" ." said /
the doctor. Neither Of them is more
than ten feet wide. Frank can jump |
them"
"John." said his mother, laying a
OBTAINING hand on his arm and looking /
searchingly into his eyes. "are You sure
It is rightto try such a ride? May there
not be trains on the road?"
"No; not after the evening express
isin."
$50, then, and God bless you!" 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 we'll
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 a 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 as you
like"
Frank. glad to be out after his long
days housing, struck an eager pace.
More than a mile was covered before
DR.. Graham drew rein. He was close
upon the first Of the two culyerts Of
which he had spoken. Ashort distance
beyond it the road ran into deep cut
ting through which It curved out upon
he steep side Of Mountain River re-
vine. He knew that for the rest OF
The way It would be advisable to ride
! good deal more cautiously.
The culvert became plainly distin-
ruishable at a distance Of 80 yards or
more. and the doctor approached It
IT a slow canter. Only for the last
lew PAGES he urged Frank with low
word. and a quick, MISUNDERSTOOD
movement in the saddle. The culvert
vas cleaned almost as II in stride.
md he cantered on unconcernedly.
They were at the very mouth Of the
cutting which led into the ravine
when there was a long, shrill whistle
lehind. The doctor reined his horse