The Elbert County tribune., 1904-12-29
How Midas Taught
Doctor a Lesson

"hoiS PopuidliOu, as IL were, on
guard. They seemed not to know
whether he came to kill them of or
really to cure them.
Among tle household belongings
which the new doctor took over was a
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 ito see
you on the horse of the good NJ
Denis, who loved everybody. And he
is not at all dear at $50" 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.
M. Jouail, mounted on his horse of
ten years and twenty dollars, took his
way through 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 sicliness?"
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. ut is the good old horse
of M. Denis. He knows me-"
"Oh! If he knows you," said NJ
Jcuail, Il would like to do something
for the memory of my predecessor.
What did you say was the matter
with you?"
The man told his ailment
"A little quinine," said the uoctor.
You will 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 a written pre-
scription?"
"lf l might ask it
NJ. Jouail 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.
II am learning something today"
said M. Jouail to himself.
Midas trotted on, now quite briskly.
when all at once. half a 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 a for
tune for your kindness to poor old
woman" she said. See, l have bad
cold in my head"
Go on, Midas" said the doctor.
Midas was iumovable.
Go on, you beast
For my cold, doctor, a little pre-
scription!" pleaded the woman.
Not note. | am in hurry. Take
some aconite," said the doctor
Il shall never remember it."
well. this horse will stand here
until 1 give you prescription There.
But l will have an explanation of
this
M. 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.
81 am learning little too fast" said
NJ. Jouail
The doctor began to lose confidence.
He found little further on a young
girl whose head dress arrested Midas
suddenly.
WE'LL" groaned NJ Jouail with
despair, you want a prescription, too,
l suppose? You want to ruin me.
Well, well, this will do for to-day, but
tomorrow. What is it you demand.
mademoiselle?"
mo very great thing. monsieur. A
little piece of writing to get me we'll
have fever and cough
"a poultice of turpentine. Go on.
| say, Midas"
How What" cried the girl.
"Oh, this horse. this horse. oh,
you don't see anythingl Well, then,
where's the prescription book?"
NJ. Jouail wrote again, grinding his
teeth, and tossed the paper to the
girl.
Midas saw the paper, made move
ment. then stopped again.
Its all right" said the doctor pat
ting the neck of his horse, and very
glad to find him in error. so you did
not see the paper. Keep a sharper eye
next time. Now. go on"
at is because you do not know,
monsieur" explained the girl "He
thinks you ere the good NJ. Denis. He
heard me cough Perhaps you might
have in your medicine bag some cough
drops NJ. Denis always had SOMA
Never 100 " Jonail KNOW -'