The San Francisco call., 1905-06-11

n great river.
Frank" said Cray softly, that
scene reminds me Of an old book in my
fathers library; it's a very chamber
Of horrors in type-'Fox's Book OF
Martyrs it 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
Torquemada-nurse and doctor-the
supposed champion of mercy and ten
der ministration-to resolve into the
grim outlines of the Judge OF the
Question. Why. their indifference
seemed even intensified.
1t does look bad" answered Howe,
but il is a part Of our work, Q crush
Cd. grimy. greasy, and mud-incrusted
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.
They furnish a heavy proportion OF
the cases coming TO these institutions
The commercial basis enters deeply in
10 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 in
10 the unwilling hands of the contract
surgeon In towns like this he is usu-
aiiy man whose professional stand
ing Is low, either from incompetency
or PERSONAL disQuali1ications; one who
Is glad TO render surgical services at
about one-quarter of the private prac-
md 4 h.,
annual pass. The doctor, of course.
looks upon each case as a non-remu-
neratlNe intrusion upon his sinecure
The nurses horizon rims entirely upon
the man of the scalpel, so she uncon-
sclousiY assumes an Indifferent air. In
my opinion nothing speaks higher OF
wonderful vitality or perfection of
physique than the fact that DESPITE in
attention and, oftener. gross neglect
d lew wan. tottering wrecks emerge
from these doors; to carry out into
Gods sunshine the nightmare rccol-
lection Of sighting words, of lonely.
feverish nights, or the rasp of neg
lected bandages over exposed, tortured
nerves.
ITS al in the game" he added a
oeepened light in the brave eyes.
Yes. but lis one worth playing to a
hiish, rejoined Gray softly.
Then as the undertaken. followed by his
sleepy assistant. with noiseless buZzard
alacrity, drifted through the hall, the
silence Of the last-piayed forfeit of the
game resting quietly waiting upon the
knees of the sods-fell as a pail between
them.
FINALLY Howe turned TO John. and with
visible effort resumed his ordinary BAN
tering. seTni-serious manner.
John, he said, I've thought Of 4 new
scheme / think l can work that doctor
10 get US a pass to Erie. We OF course,
nave no claim on the railroad, but they
are always glad TO get any evidence of
wrecks out Of sight. Lay low and watch
my smoke. When We get to Erie l don't
think n any use to Try TO get over the
Lake Shore: it's the hardest combination
except the Pennsylvania main line in the
United States There is a legend that a
rounder once got TO the yard limit at
some terminal on an outgoing train. but
no man ever had the nerve to relate it
In switch-shunting bunk room
Now the Anchor Line boats run be-
tween there and Chicago make il in five
or six days We can ship as deck hands
get transportation, board and lodging
and then when we get to Chicago we
can go TO work at once.
1T will be the correct thing for you
man hailing from Chicago with any
kind of record at all never kicks his
toes out against a yardmaster's desk. A
young, quick man with a good Chicago
reputation Of being a first-class cutter
or 'helder never decorates extra lists of
struck Off boarding house keepers
What do you mean by cutters or
tfelders2' % asked John
When we get there I'll take you into
the yards for day or so. 1t will be no
trouble TO learn then rejoined Howe a
triie grimly.
After an extremely frugal breakfast
-.
pass talk" To John. who, as bidden.
sat watching his smoke" he seemed
like a new boy, as in frankly innocent
words he told how they wished TO 20 to
Erie. and, carefully suppressing any ref
erence TO railway affairs, told of their
desire to go on the lakes.
The doctor, after patiently extracting
ell the apparent plans of his innocent
patient, promised TO ''see what he could
do for them" About an hour later boy
handed Howe a strip of blue paper, who,
after glancing it over, passed ii TO john
with the sly remark. I'VE are glass
window people now"
John saw that Prank Howe and one"
were passed to Erie account surgical de-
partment."
Then followed long ride through Ohio.
20 John wonderful country. The great
wide, fertile valley. dotted thick with red
barns and coZy farm houses, or still,
shady streets of easy going towns
stretching TO unequaled pastures Be-
yond, the dim blue hills gradually shrank
10 new and wilder beauty. to towering
mountains. echo-haunted with perpen-
dicular sides bristling in massed hemlock,~
their evergreen needles quivering ever
above the dash and roar of the narrow,
freighted river at their feet.
Then in the night-Erie. AS they STUN
bled along the steep, rough streets John
noticed in both cheek and nostril a
strange, dank odor.
Howe, in answer TO the remark, How
damp and bad the air seems" replied:
Its the lake wind carrying the har-
bor odors."
After an uncomfortable night in q
cheap hotel they set out for the docks.
Howe singled out one from q number
OF white propellers.
Lucky. there is the one we want"
he exclaimed gieefully. 'tOld Walsh is
her first mate"
Passing aboard he crossed to where,
way bills In hand, q loosely built Irish
man was busily checking OF the lading
of a string OF bouncing truck stevedore
propellers passing in endless procession
III