Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1905-07-27

nOWs aS general tulnR, young
doctors and lawyers get their first
patients and clients is one Of the un-
solved mysteries.
know how II was in Bob Whit
lows case.
Bob. after graduating with honor
at first-class medical college. went
out West and picking out populous
and sickly neighborhood. pitched his
professional tent, hung out his shin
gle. and boldly offered himself as a
healer Of the people.
His moderate patrimony barely
sufficied 10 meet the expenses oI
bis collegiate and medical course.
leaving his cole dspendenoo Iof he
future on success in the walk oflife
which he had chosen.
A few months convinced him that
the immediate prospect was not very
promising. Doctor Chincough had
reigned there for somany years with
undisputed sway. that the offer of a
young and inexperienced practition-
er to compete with him was gener-
ally looked upon as q piece of imper-
tinence.
True, the neighboring graveyard
disclosed Q mortality out of all pro-
portion to the population; but no
body attributed it to ''Old Chin, +" as
some of the less respectful called
him. l have already said il was a
sickly region, and Old Chin had q
happy knack, moreover, when his pa
tients died of laying the blame on
Providence, and when they did not
of ascribing to himself the glory.
AS for my friend, Bob Whitlow,
Old Chin simply ignored his exis-
tence.
Things began to look blue for Bob.
His board bill fell behind, his office
rent got into arrears, and unless af-
fairs took o speedy turn, an unpleas-
ant crisis must be reached soon.
One day well-dressed young
traveller fell sick at the village inn.
The landlord-with whom Bob board
ed-would have fain have gotten the
latter into the case; for the stranger
had the appearance of q man able to
pay, and, if Bob got good fee, the
prospect Of his-beard bill beisg.set-
tied would be decidedly improved.
Accordingly. when the sick gen.
tleman spoke Of calling a physician,
the landlord would have recommend
ed Bob on the spot; but the strang-
er, going on to say that he wished
to consult a physician of age and ex-
perience, his landlord had no alter
native but to name DR.. Chincough.
Call him in immediately" said
the sick man.
Old Chin found the stranger dan
gerously ill. He invariably found
his patients so. Catch him under
rating the difficulty of a case. He
gave assurance of his ability, how
ever, to bring the gentleman round
in time, though the process might be
slower than could be wished.
Strong medicines and plenty of
them was old Chin s rule of faith and
practice, and on it he set to work in
the present case.
The result was singularly unsuc-
cessful. Every symptom combated
seemed TO be aggravated by the rem
edy wherewith it was thought to al
lay it, whilst the patient was con-
stantly complaining of fresh pains
in parts Of his body not assailed be-
fore.
Old Chin was at his wits end.
He had never, in his whole profes.
sional life, met with o case so obsti.
nate.
Meanwhile the patient grew rap.
idly worse, and ut last, to all ap
pearance. lay at death 8 door.
Old Chin gave 10 up. His skill
was fairly bafFled.
II feel il my duty TO warn you,
he said, addressing the sinking pa
tient, that your case is beyond the
reach of medical aid. II you have
any worldly matters to attend Il
there is no time to be lost"
"Is-there- no other-physiciar
in the placer" feebly gasped the
stranger.
Old Chin shook his head.
beg pardon" the landlord ven
tured to hint: There's DIR. Whit
low"
"Oh, l didn't think of HIM, )" said
Old Chin with a sniff.
Send for him, said the stranger
Yes, send for him." said Ole
Chin with evident disgust.
A message was dispatched, an6
Bob lost no time in obeying the sum
mons.
Old Chin, with q supercilious air
gave Bob q brief summary of tn,
case, and an outline of the treatmen
hitherto pursued.