The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1910-06-17
AN EMERGENCY CALL.
New Doctor Makes Himself Useful
In n Peculiar Way.

DIR. Boyd, fresh from his duties as AS
sisiant 20 a New York physician, had
found the work Of establishing a prao-
tise in q country town somewhat uphill
work. This fact mitigaied his annoy
ance at hearing the night bell ring Just
as he was preparing for bed.
SIS that the doctor, please"
A youthful voice reached his ears
through the tube. lie assentcd briefly.
who's that Where do YOU liver"
I'm Archie Holden, and We live ut
Dufiield-up past Hook End and over
the hill"
DIR. Boyd suppressed groan. II was
a four-mile drive.
ats urgent, ! SUPPOSE"
"Yes. Yes, please"
Every well, I'll be down in a minute"
Grumbling under his breath, he
aroused sleepy servant, and descended.
The hall light shone on a round-faced
boy. who fingered his hat and looked up
doubtfully into the Doctors face.
YOU'D better come inside and take
a seat, my lad. We shan't be able to
start for few minutes. "a,
"You II go in-in your carriage, SIR
"Yes; my mans getting II ready now:
He II be back rs quick as he can, though.
The boys face frightened. Whats
the trouble at home?"
"My-my father, sir. He's i'll.
"Ah! And what's the matter with
him2"
ats er-he feels unwell, SIR"
ayes, yes. But try to be little more
precise" ;.
"He can't go to sleep. He doesn't
quite know what it is, but
Insomnia, eh? Well, well! | could
have given you draft for him. Really,
| hardly think there's any need for me
to call tonight, unless"
"He's got headache, too, sra bad
headache, he added quickly; land
palms,"
"Where are the pains?"
The boy hesitated moment.
"Er-all over him, sir He cant
move, hardly, without hurting himself.
And he's bit what you call delirious.
And his throat"
"Well?"
Swollen, doctor. And he can't eat
much, and"
"H'm! A touch OF influenza, very
likely. Still, don't you worry, my lad.
Wen soon put him right again. Here's
a chair for you. I'll just get my over
coat and things"
When he re-entered the room the boy
was leaning forward; but, after cough
ing and blowing his nose violently he put
his handkerchief away and stood up,
rather red in the face.
"That's right. Cheer up. Therel
Do you hear the carriage coming round?
Well soon be there now"
A surprise awaited him on the outside.
On the path lay large trunk. The
boy noticed him regarding it.
''Had to fetch it from the station, sir.
Do--do you mind if we take it with us2
A man was carrying it; but-but be-
Iieve he's gone of. He looked around.
g Can't see him anywhere. /"
"Of course. OF course. jackson, lift
this in Is the mare pretty fresh? That's
right. You know the way, suppose"
Though drowsy, he tried to chat cheer
July to his young companion; but the
ooy seemed disinclined for conversation,
and DR.. Boyd was glad enough to lean
back and close his eyes. He awoke with
1 start as the carriage stopped. Find
ng himself alone, he got out. The house
seemed in darkness. Somewhere in the
direction of the garden he could hear the
,oy struggling forward with his trunk.
The door opened and shut again. DR..
BOYD, mystifed and more than little
waited impatiently. Two or
,hree minutes passed before small fig
ire ran down the steps.
Doctor, please please, how much
10 you charger"
ooh, never mind that now. That's
# no consequence. Afterwards, we can
ak about"
"Your fee, l mean, sir. Two dollars,
sn't it?" ).
eyes, yes, my lad. But first of all"
"Here it is, sir" Two bills were press
d into his hand. "That right, eh?"
DR.. Boyd took them mechanically,
lodding.
"But your father-Ill see him at
,nce | can come in now, presume?'
"Well, it doesn THAT is, you need
The doctor stiffened.
"I'm very sorry, but don't quite"
"He's better. In fact, he's all right
gain; and-you needn't trouble to see
i'm Just now"
"Better?" DR.. Boyd choked.
"That's it, sir. l think seeing. me
,ack's had good deal to do with it.
always cheer him up"
"Then do you mean to say--am to
Understand that you we brought me all
his way for nothing?"
The boy shook his head as he stepped
Jack warily.
"For two dollars, you mean. Yes;
ou see, sir, I-I'm just home from school,
missed my right train, and
hadn't money enough to take cab;
nd father-he'd have been wild, so |
ouldn't very well wake him up and ask
i'm for more; and-well, don t you see
he least that one of the station cabbies
yould take was two and half; So"
DR.. Boyd's eyes nearly bolted from his
cad; his cheeks swelled; q choking
oise from his coachman made him
lamp and wave his arms wildly. But
e could not speak The noise he made
esembled the snort of an angry bull.
"Good night, sir, !" called the boy cheer
lilly, now some yards in the darkness.
Awfully sorry to have troubled you,
ut it was such long way to come with
Nv trunk. Philadelphia Bulletin.