The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-02-10

especially with the assistance of the nurse. What do you thinkr
 T can do 1t. sir" replied the boy. in 8 voice whose quiet tones could not wholly subdue his eagerness.
 In very few seconds all was ar. ranged. The patient was, limp and un- conscious on the table. Ben stand ing at her head watched every fnhala- tion, the doctor, knife in hand. and the nurse Hitting to and fro, bring ing such articles as were, desired. One last careful look and the knife cut deep and true. In a few seconds the great incision had been made and the interior parts fully exposed. awaiting the attack on the diseased organ, Sud- denly the surgeon paused. felt spas medically into his instrument case and all his pockets, and dashed into the nall
 Ben was shocked He had never before seen Dr. Hatchfield forget any thing. He knew his duty, however, and stuck to his post. In an instant there was a crash and deep groan from down stairs. The nurse rushed from the room and Ben started, but remembered his responsibility and stood firm.
 'My Godg' shrieked the nurse. ''The doctor has fallen down stairs ana killed himself"
 Ben glanced at the form on the op- erating table and turned deathly sicA as he realized his terrible situation. With a superhuman effort he rallied and summoned all his coolness-all his resources-and tried to remember the things pr. Hatchfieid did in a great emergency. He recoilected first of all that the surgeon never became nerv. ous. but always remained cool and in- spfred others with confidence. even in to the hall and one glance over the rail told him that the surgeon was in a most serious condition
 Attend to him." he said cooily to the nurse, "and come back as soon as you can.'
 He returned to the operating table and his heart grew faint. Precious seconds were flying. The operation must be completed instanter or the woman would die on his hands. There was no other physician within call
 Then 1t was that a great resolution came into his mind and heart--a reso- Iution which sent the blood back into his heart. He would go ahead with the operation himself. He had read the case very carefully and had tried to follow it all carefully in detail. He knew every motion, every danger, ev. cry hgament. With a whispered prayer he grasped the scalpel the phy- sician had dropped, and with blanched face began to cut. The horror of the next few minutes has remained with him ever since. But he never waveref and soon had the incision closed and Tsewed. At that instant the door burst open and Dr. Hatchfield burst in, pale and haggard, his right arm doubled and limp. Great beads of precipitation stood on his face. The nurse followed him in a most excited manner.
 He cast a piercing look at the pa- tient on the table. the mother at Ben.
 "WhoS" he shouted. Not you, Ben, surely"
 Ben hung his head. 'T had to do it" he explained, apologeticalIy. "she would have died"
 The surgeon examined the parts re- moved with critical eye, and asked score of pointed questions of Ben.
 Everything looks all right" said he. Please heaven it is." Then he wrung Bens hand.
 ''If she recovers will make you a surgeon, indeed.
 She did recover and Ben spent the next three years in the best medical college fin the country. Now he is Dr. Hatchffeld's partner, and all because he dared.