Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-10-02

a little toward better things, by the
strangeness and rarity Of the tender
ness that warmed them toward this
one who, without money and without
price," gave to each and all, in the
time of trial, not only the unf1agging
care and ungrudging talent, but an
ever gentle touch, an earnest and help
full interest, and wise and loving words
To sufferers in wretched garrets
with whom medical aid had been a
dream Of impossible accomplishment
he brought relief on his footsteps, and
when he took the sick children In his
arms the mothers felt as If blessing
went from him that made them whole;
while to men cut and slashed In hor-
rible and brutal encounters, 1t seemed
as If he did but lay his hands upon
them and their hurts healed, though
oftentimes some grave word OF MS
went deeper than the wounds, and took
root in the uncultivated humanity un-
derlying their barbarous passions, and
brought forth fruits meet for repent
ance in self control and order
The perfect purity, courage and Ia
Dor of his life gave him a moral weight
that made him as much missionary as
physician.
Such a man as this could not be hid
den away. AS time went on rumors OF
his skill were noised abroad, it became
known that DR.. Girtney, now the most
fashionable medical authority consult
ed him in all his most difficult cases.
At length one of the chief hospitals
appointed him to it's principal post; he
positively. declined to accept 1t; then
one association after another pressed
positions upon him, but he resolutely
refused them all. He shrank from all
honors, avoided all notice, took every
means in his power to prevent his rep
utation from extending, but the only
effectual one of abandoning his never
ending work.
Only at Dr. Girtney's request, or at
some urgent and not-to-be- denied nee
essity, would he enter the houses OF
the rich; but, in spite of all, he could
not help but make some great cures
among people who were known, and an
overwhelming practice poured in upon
him.
Then it was discovered that he was
the author of some valuable discoveries
and papers, contributed anonymously to
the medical journals and other period
icals during those obscure days Of toll
when he had partially supported him.
self thus, and his fame widened and
reached over the land.
Perhaps Dr. Girtney, grown secure
with years as regarded the recognition
of his friends personality, had some
hand in all this. In all things else,
however, he had kept faithful heart
toward him, though he never ceased to
consider him as a wonderful study, and
he curiously watched the effect Of this
altered phase Of experience.
The poor too, who knew that he had
become an acknowledged great man,
watched him also, and, not having too
much faith in the fineness Of human
nature, half expected that he would
forsake them for these open fields that
tempted ambition and cupidity.
But neither friend nor pauper patient
found any change in him; he kept still
his humble Office, wore always the
plainest clothing, Jared hardly, came
and went in the service Of the lowest
and lost the same as ever
Once the professor could not resist
putting him directly to the test. He
wanted to judge unerringly whether
the disinclination for distinction was
natural indifference, or the result OF
habit or whether it actually grew out
of young mans resolve so long; be-
fore in the cell of a prison, the stern
self denial Of life expiation. For these
two were men of the world, and never
talked of that old time, almost forgot
ten by one, never for one moment un-
remembered by the other
He became the bearer Of an honored
offer that he himself might have been
proud to accept, to which were attached
the names Of the best men in the city,
an opening so rare for an upward
course to the very highest place that
could be presented to science-an ad-
vancement so unusual that he said in
his heart:
He must be superhuman If he re-
linquishes this!"
He laid the important paper before
him in that shabby, confined office not
much larger than the prison cell had
been: he watched him read it quietly
through. marked the flush that rose to
the pale forehead, saw the hands clinch
with a strong tension, as if to keep
them from trembling, beheld a sudden
light transfigure the careworn face
waited almost breathlessly an instant
while he noted one long outlook into
the might have been. Then the flush
faded. the fire left the eye, the old pa
tience crept over the deeply lined brow,
while the hands shook a little as he laid
the manuscript down, saying, family:
1T cannot be-"
why not?" rather curtly asked the
professor.
Because Arthur Fletcher may not
accept it for DR.. Anthem"
There is no Arthur Fletcher" re-
piled the doctor; there has only been
DR.. Anthon these many years."
MY friend" the other answered.
and the sweetness of his voice thrilled
through his hearer-"my best friend,
no one knows better than you that DR..
Anthon must be always true to Arthur
Fletcher. No blood stained hands can
touch a crown like that 1 am only a
convict serving my time: my duty lies
low down, where no one else cares to
minister. To accept this would take
me too much among those able to pro-
cure other skill-wOuld divert my time
and toll from a sacred purpose-and
my poor must have always with me"
DR.. Girtney was not man given to
the display Of emotion, being one of
those sturdy souls that scorned mere
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