Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1905-05-04
The Doctors Story.

and never should have thought of
adopting my present profession if it
hadn't been for queer accident when
l first hung out my shingle.
81 had a rich neighbor, man l
was bound to propitiate; and the very
first call l had, after days of waiting
for patients who didn't come, was to
his barn to see what was the matter
with his sick mare Icured the mare
aud took in my shingle; for from that
day to this I've never prescribed for
human being. l had won reputa-
ton as veterinary surgeon and had
to stick to it. But that's neither
here nor there. Only if you think
animals can't show gratitude and
affection, perhaps you'll change your
mind.
when I'd been in business a year
or two, l sent for my Brother Dick.
He was a wonderful chap with all
kinds of animals; and I thought per-
haps l could work out Of my part of
it and leave that for him. never
did, for Dick a cotton broker in New
York now, and | should have to begin
all over again to make frst-rate
physician. But that's what meant to
be then.
1.-THE very next day after Dick
came got a telegram from P. T.
Barnum. I'd been down there once
or twice to his own stables, and he
had a good deal OF faith in me. The
despatch was:
"'Hebe has hurt her foot. Come at
oncel'
"Hebe was favorite elephant-a
splendid creature, and worth a small
fortune.
well, l confess hesitated. l
distrusted my own ability and dreaded
the result. But Dick was determined
to go, and go we did. When we got
out of the cars, Barnum himself was
there with a splendid pair of matched
grays. He eyed me very obviously.
I'd forgotten you were such little
fellow, he said in discouraged tone.
I'm afraid you can't help her. His
distrust put me on my nettle.
"'Mr. Baruum, said l, getting into
the carriage, If it comes to hand-to-
hand fight between Hebe and me, l
don't believe an extra foot or two Of
height would help me any.
He laughed outright, and began
telling me how the elephant was hurt.
She stepped on nail or bit of iron,
and it had penetrated the tender part
of her foot. She was in intense agony
and almost wild with the pain.
Long before We reach the enclosure
in which she was we could hear her
piteous trumpeting; and when we en-
tered we found her on three legs,
swinging the hurt foot slowly back
ward and forward, and utteriDg long
cries of anguish. Such dumb misery
in her looks-poor thing
Even Dick quailed now. You
can never get near her, he whispered.
She'll kill you sure.
Her keeper OWNED what he said
Don't you be afraid, sir, he called
out to me. 'Hebe's got sense.
Il took the box of instruments from
Mr.. Barnum.
al like your pluck, my boy, he
said, heartily; but I own that I felt
rather queer and shaky as l went up
to the huge beast.
"The men employed about the
show came around us curiously, but
at respectfully and eminently safe
distance, as bent down to examine
the foot.
awhile 1 was doing so, as gently
as could, I felt to my horror a light
touch on my hair 1t was as light
as a woman's; but as l turned and
saw the great trunk behind me it
had an awful suggestiveness.
"'She's only curling your hair,
sang out the keeper. Don't mind her.
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