The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1904-12-28
How Midas Taught
Doctor a Lesson

When DR.. JouaiI came to the little
village to practice, in place Of the old
doctor, who had died, he found the
whole population, as it we're, on
guard. They seemed not to know
whether he came to kill them off or
really to cure them.
Among the household belongings
which the new doctor took over was
horse, ten years old firm on his feet"
said the servant, "a chestnut bay, who
will carry you easily eighteen or twen-
ty miles a day. And it would please
the whole town. she added, TO see
you on the horse Of the good M.
Denis, who loved everybody. And he
is not at all dear at SEQ So he bought
him.
They came one morning to get the
doctor to visit a sick woman. Her
house was far away on a by-road.
NJ. Jouail, mounted on his horse of
ten years and twenty dollars, took his
way through a little street behind his
house and went forth to visit his first
patient.
About 100 feet away Midas stopped
in front of a peasant
Good day, doctor, would you have
the kindness in passing to give me
little information about my sickness?'
said the man.
"At my house, my friend at my
Office. Come here tomorrow afternoon
between and 5. have not time now.
Go on, Midas" replied Dr. Jouail.
But Midas would not stir.
"A good horse" said the man. pat
ting him. 1T is the good old horse
Of NJ. Denis. He knows me-"
"Ohi If he knows you" said NJ.
Jouail, Il would like to do something
for the memory Of my predecessor.
What did you say was the matter
with your"
The man told his ailnent.
"A little quinine." said the doctor
you viii find that at the apothe-
cary's. Now, Midas"
Midas did not seem to hear.
your horse has not yet seen your
paper" said the peasant.
What, Do you wish written pre-
scription?"
If | might ask It.
NJ. Jouai wrote the prescription,
tore it out of his book, and gave it
to the sick man. At once, when he
caught sight OF the offered paper,
Midas started to go,
Il am learning something today"
said NJ Jouail to himself
Midas trotted on, now quite briskly
when all at once, half mile or more
away, he stopped again. The doctor
saw at the roadside a peasant woman
evidently anxious to speak to him.
May the Holy Virgin be good to
you, doctor. may she give you for
tune for your Kindness to a poor old
woman" she said. "See, have a bad
cold in my head"
Go on, Midas" said the doctor.
Midas was immovable.
Go on, you beast"
For my cold, doctor, a little pre-
scription!" pleaded the woman.
Not a note, am in a hurry. Take
some aconite, said the doctor.
Il shall never remember it,"
well. this horse will stand here
until l give you prescription. There.
But | will have an explanation Of
this"
NJ. Jouail wrote. with rage, another
prescription and threw it at the speak
er. From the corner of his eye Midas
saw the paper. TRANQUILITY, he start
ed on again.
q am learning little too fast" said
NJ Jouail
The doctor began to lose confidence.
He found a little further on a young
girl whose head dress arrested Midas
suddenly.
Well" groaned NJ. Jouail. with
despair, you want a prescription, too,
suppose? You want to ruin me,
Well, well, this will 90 for to-day, but
tomorrow. What is it you demand,
mademoisalle?'
"No very great thing. monsieur. A
little piece of writing to get me well.
have a fever and a cough"
"A poultice Of turpentine. Go on.
say, Midas"
How What" cried the girl.
"Oh, this horsei this horse. Oh,
you don't see anything! Well, then,
where's the prescription boolz?"
NJ Jcaail wrote again. grinding his
teeth. and tossed the paper to the
girl.
Midas saw tho paper, made a move
nent, then stopped again.
Its all rightln said the doctor, pat
ting the neck of his horse, and very
glad to End him in error. so you did
net see the paper. Keep a sharper eye
next time Now, go on"
ut is because you do not know.
monsieur" explained the girl "He
thinks you are the good Nj Denis. He
heard me cough. Perhaps You might
have in your medicine bag some cough
drops. NJ. Denis always had some"
Never had NJ. Jouail known such IN