The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1905-01-13

man with gray hair and beard opened
the door and bowed low.
"Dr. Fleming, l believe" he said.
Wont you step in?'
The door closed behind them, and
Fleming found himself in a large bare
hall, dimly lighted from the transom
above his head. He stood glazing about
him in the gloom, while the other man
fumbled for the knob of the front room
door.
"Well" said the doctor, and his in
Election made it a word of various
meanings.
The gray-haired man had found the
knob and opened the door.
"Will you kindly step this way? said
he, and he ushered Fleming into cost
ly furnished room. A fire glowed in
the CRATE, and tiers of books lined the
walls.
"Well?" said Fleming again, with the
same infection, when he was seated.
His host stood before the fire, his
hands behind his back, and his cynical
gray eyes scrutinizing the doctors face.
'Dr. Fleming" he said at length,
"you have been somewhat annoyed of
late by the receipt of anonymous let
tiers. owe you every apology for send
ing them"
you" caid the doctor incredulolsly.
Eyes, it was l. Grant me a moment
and I'll explain. 1 am not the sort Of
man who accepts people on trust To
me man is coward or a cad until he
has proved himself man of nerve or
gentleman. 1t is the most logical ba-
sis to start 'front.' avoids complica-
tons. So much by way of preface.
Now, to real business. But first. DR..
Fleming, let me offer you a cigar"
Fleming thanked him and lighted
the weed.
"You have heard, perhaps, that few
years since party of prospectors ran
across a wonderful zinc lode down in
Patagonia. No? Well, such was the
case. A company was formed. engi-
neers and men were sent down, and to-
day Columbian-Patago shares are
above par. 1t is my good fortune to
serve the company as managing direc-
tor.
There's quite a little settlement at
the mines eighty odd souls, besides
the breeds-and, despite the fact that it
is a fearfully out-of the-way hole the
boys seem to get their share of fun out
of it. This is the best side of it. There's
another side-the Indians and breeds.
Every little while they wax playful,
and if we don't lose a man or so, we
consider ourselves in luck. Now, what
with the Indians and the constant liza
bility of accidents in the mines, Il
mans life isn't exactly safe, but to
make it as far so as possible, we have
decided to send a resident surgeon
down there. Our employees, Dr. Flem-
ing, are all tried men. We know what
to expect of them. Consequently,
when the question of the choice OF a
surgeon arose it behooved us to know
our man. 1t is one of those places
where a poor surgeon with nerve is
more desirable than a good one lacking
that quality.
81 went to a friend Of mine who is a
professor in the very medical school
from which you hold a diploma, laid
the case before him. and requested the
names of some young physicians who
pardon frankness) were not succeed
ing tremendously. Three names were
given me, and to each L wrote anony-
nous letters from this address, which
is our temporary discussing Office. 1t
was my intention today to send car
riage to the office of each, summouing
him to this address. l estimated the
chances one to a thousand that any one
of them would take the initiative and
sift the matter for himself, as you have
done. l confess l am pleased with
your action. l have stated the whole \
matter frankly. l will be as franl; in
adding that the sum our surgeon will
receive for his services will not be mig
gardly. If you care to think of it. I
shall be glad to consider you an appli-
cant for the position"
Fleming thought Of his struggling
practice, Of bills long overdue. and,
finally, of certain wedding of the pre-
vious June.
Il shall be very glad If You WILL he
said, simply.-New York News.