New-York tribune., 1908-12-20
The Doctors Chance

A BOUT fftv wears ago a Young doctor named
"A Harvey hung out his shinge in the northern
section of London and began the long wait for
patients who did not come. His parents were middle
class people living IN the country, who We're not SO
rich but that they felt the drain OF long college
course followed by these dreary days when the needs
of the Young physician had to be met. For three
years Harvey hoped against hope, did certain
amount of charity work. and prepared himself Tor
the more lucrative practice that was to reward
him But the lucrative practice did not materiaze
and the day came when he decided that ne must
give up the endeaVOr.
He determined to make hazard of new fortunes
in Australia and with that intention he started tor
the country home of his parents to pay them fare
well visit before sailing. 1t was necessary tor MN
to change trains at junction in order to reach his
home, and the connecting train was late he was
obliged to spend couple OF hours IN pacing the pit-
form and ConverSing with the station agent. He
had passed hour and half in this manner when
he heard the sound of galOplng horse, and by the
dim light of the oil lamp 1t the entrance dlsCerned
groom livery approaching as fast as he could urge
his mount.
The servant flung himself from the horse and
rushed into the station. Can you tell me if Dr. X,
naming local physician, " is out of town. he asked
the station master.
Z" He has not taken a train" replied the official,
but he may have driven into town for the races.
Do YOU need him in hurry?'
That do, l have just been to the postotfice to
send a telegram to Sir Anthony a celebrated Lon
don surgeon and her Grace told me to be sure to
bring one of the local doctors back with me"
Where are the Others?"
Both on sick calls miles out in the country
Dr.. Y. was my last hope.
" Is it the Duke?'
Yes, and they don't think he'll last until Sir
Anthony comes, unless he IS helped
" Excuse me" said Harvey. / a physician
and may be of assistance. Of whom do you speak"
The given was that of a nObleman of world
wide fame, leading member of the Government of
that time, and prominent in many other activities
besides those of politics.
u will go, if you find some way to get me
there quickly" said Harvey.
Take the horse, sir, said the groom. g can get
back somehow. It's about three miles from here.
For Heavens sake don't spare the horse. sir!'
Harvey not likely to much time. He
realized the moment he threw leg over saddle that
he was riding to the opportunity for which he had
waited three long years in vain The horse was
white with foam and lather when he dismounted at
the door of the hall and introduced himself to the
Duchess, who was pacing the gravel, impatientlv
awaiting the arrival of some one who would meet
the crisis and control the disease until the specialist
He was welcomed cordially and thanked etfusivelv
a he made his way to the chamber of the sick man
short examination showed him that he had done
well to hurry. Even now, radical measures were
necessary the life of the patient was to be saved
To take such measures also to take big chances
but Harvey did not hesitate, he took the risk And
as the night wore on 1t became more and more ap-
parent that IN the first skirnsh with death he had
In the morning came Sir Anthony, a big man in
more ways than one. He listened to the Duchess
and received the Stammering report of his now
somewhat frightened junior.
Your Grace ht said, 4 think We NAV con-
gratulate ourselves on tht circumstance that Dr.
HarVeys tram was late last evening | know few
practitioners who would have acted So promptly on
their responsibility in SO difficult a crisis |
think too that the Duke Will recover; but am GER
tain that he would not have lived another hour if
DR. Harvey had not arrived when he did or if he
had heStated for five minutes in ms course of treat
ment. With your permission, he viii remain to
assist me in my easier task of restoring his Grace to
full health
And so day by day for three weeks all England
read the bulletins published h. urvSpaDprs