The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-05-14


over the ghostly silence of the
great river.
Frank" said Gray, softly. that
scene reminds me OF an old book in my
fathers library; it's very chamber
OF horrors in type-.Fox's Book OF
Martyrs 1t is called
AS they stood there the trappings
and fixtures OF the nineteenth century
seemed to fade into the agony and
chill horror Of the darkest days Of
Tcruuemada-nurse and doctor-the sup
posed champion OF mercy and tender
ministration-to resolve into the grim
outlines OF the Judge OF the Question
Why, their Indifference seemed even in
tensified.
1T does look bad answered Howe,
but 1t is part OF our work, a
crushed. griny. greasy, and nud-in-
crusted railroad victim possesses but
Little to appeal to the semi dramatic
point of view held by doctor and nurse.
but the direct cause Of what you have
seen tonight rests upon the railways.
.s.fhey furnish a heavy proportion of
the cases coming to f1Iese institutions.
The commercial basis enters deeply into
all their balance sheets; so you have
the contract system. The man who.
With compressed lips and steady hands.
rides down to death for his passengers
sake IS brought here, a thing OF broken
bones and quiVering nerves. to fall into
the unwilling hands OF the contract sur
seon In towns like this he is usually
q man whose professional standing Is
low. either from incompetency or per-
sona1 disqualiflcations: one who is glad
TO render surgical services at about
one-quarter of the private practice
rating and the ownership of an annual
pass. The doctor, of course, looks upon
each case as a non-remunerative in
trusion upon his sineeure. The nurse S
horizon rims entirely upon the man OF
the scalpel, so she unconsciously as
sumes an Indifferent air. In my opin-
ion nothing speaks higher of wonderful
vitality or perfection OF physique than
the fact that despite inattention and,
oftener, gross neglect-a few wan. tot
tering wrecks emerge from these doors
To carry out into Gods sunshine the
nightmare recollection OF sighting
words. OF lonely. feverish nights. or the
rasp of neglected bandages over ex-
posed. tortured nerves
ITS ali in the game" he added, a
deepened light in the brave eyes.
Eyes, but it's one worth playing te
a hnish,'i rejoined Gray softly.
THEN as the undertaken, followed by
his sleepy assistant. with noiseless. buzz
card aIacrity, drifted through the hall
the silence of the last-played forfeit OF
the .gaule"-resting quietly waiting
upon the knees OF the gods-feIl as a pal
between them.
Finally Howe turned to John. and witt
a visible effort resumed his ordinary
bantering serni-serious manner.
John" he said. I've thought of {
new scheme. I think can work tina
doctor to get US pass to Erie. We
OF course, have no claim on the rail
road but they are always glad to ge
any evidence of wrecks out Of sight
Lay low ard watch my smoke. Whei
we get TO Erie, I don't think 1t any U.s.
TO try To get over the Lake Shore: it,
the hardest combination except tn
Pennsylvania main line in the Unite'
States. There is q legend that a rounde
once got 10 the yard limit at some ter
sninaI on an outgoing train. but n
man ever had the nerve to relate it in
switeh-shanty or bunk room.
Now the Anchor Line boats run be
tween there and Chicag o-make II in fiv
or six days. We can ship as deck hand
get transportation. board and lodging
and then when we get TO Chicago W
can go to work at once.
1T will be the correct thing for you
Il man haiIing from Chicago with an,
kind of a record at ali never kicks hi
toes out against a yard masters desk
a young. quick man with a good Chi
cago reputation OF being a hrst-clas
cutter or fielder never decorates extr
lists of skunk off boarding house keep
ers'
What do you mean by cutters 0
.ieIders?t f" asked John.
When we get there I'll take you Int
the yards for day or so. II will b
no trouble to learn then,' rejoine
Howe. trifie grirnly.