Audubon County journal., 1911-06-08
Her Birthday
Gift


thing she could pet and call her very
own. The pet was reared in the lap
of luxury. the kitchen, the halls and
several other places. In time he de-
veloped crow, and in short time he
became rooster.
At the age of nineteen Miss Aileen
became interested in the question Of
vivisectton. She looked upon the prac-
tice on birds and beasts as something
horrible. She read and talked and
protested until she had terrible
dreams. She dreamed of seeing bare
armed surgeons cutting the throat of
her rooster to find out why he didn't
sing instead of crow, and for two days
afterwards she would shiver at the
thought.
One day the four-year-old rooster
wandered out on the highway. He
was wallowing in the dust and keep
Ing an eye out for grocer boys when
an auto came speeding along. He
started to fly. but was knocked down
and run over. The young man in the
machine had begun to laugh when
thrilling scream chased it away Out
OF a nearby gate came young lady
with flying hair. Indeed, she had
ha1r-brush in one hand and hand
glass In the other but she dropped
both and gathered up the Hopping
fowl The rooster had broken leg.
II did not see him." faltered the
young man, and yet with an amused
twinkle in his eyes.
But you should have seen him!"
was retorted. do you think the high
way is free only to you? You are
either very careless or very heart
less"
1t was young Dr. George Clymer
who had Just started in practice in
the village. He had funds enough to
keep an auto, and medicinal cheek
as If he had received a call from
man with broken neck This trip
was one of his skurries. While driv-
Ing along. he was thinking how and
when his first patient would come.
He saw how seriously the girl took
the affair. and he introduced himself,
and added that If any bones had been
broken he would be happy to mend
them free of cost.
1T Is his right Leg" she replied.
"He may also have received internal
injuries"
Il trust not. had thought of tax
Ing him to the Office, where have all
ho
broken limbs, but"
You can bring your appliances and
perform the operation here" COM
manded the owner Of the rooster as
she did her best to soothe the bird
II will take him into the house."
Doctor Clymer felt both amused and
insulted. The young lady was good
looking The family was wealthy.
He was single and ready to fall in
love. On the other hand, was his
first patient to be broken-legged
rooster? Would that recommend him
to the village? That was veterinary
work. If work for anyone No: he
would not go back and become sur
geon to - rooster. He entered his
Office and sat down to medical book
Ting-a-ling at the telephone. Half
an hour had passed.
rs this Doctor Clymer?"
-Yes."
This Is Miss Dustan. l thought
you were coming right back. am the
owner Of the rooster you ran over"
yes, but l have call from the
country. A man has fallen four sto-
rtes."
II can't help 1t If he has fallen Ia.
My rooster is suffering tortures
through your carelessness. demand
that you come at once-at once, sir!"
The doctor went. He arrived at the
Dustan mansion to find the patient
| lying on his back on a sofa cushion
in the library. His wen leg was ele,
vated-his other lying prone. His
eyes were closed, and Miss Aileen was
pale-faced and fearful
| 1t was a surgical operation soon
| over. The old rooster was game and
made little trouble. A plaster of paris
cast was not deemed necessary, but
there were instructions to be given
as to the patients diet and handling.
The affairs of the house could go on
just the same, and Mr.. Dustan need
not neglect his business in the city.
but there should be no undue excite
ment. Complacency, serenity and
good nursing would bring the rooster
! to both feet again In due time. Doctor
Clymer was introduced to the father
and mother before he left The mother
was somewhat anxious about the case;
the father winked at the doctor over
the daughters shoulder
In the long weeks, running into
months, the doctor got patient or
two, but 1t was uphill work and he
had become discouraged, when one
afternoon, Miss Aileen's father said to
him as they sat on the veranda:
Doctor, what Is four-yesr-old roos-
ter worth In cash?"
About go cents"
And your bill must be over hun
dred dollars?"