The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-24

was complete tragedy; to her an un-
 rivalled comedy. But she was truly sym
 pathetic. I. asked her to leave a blank
 opposite the record of my first case. On
 my way to the hospital had had visions of my name on a new sheet allotted to my graduate record-with the awful en-
 try in the column reading: Dismissed"
 She assented sweetly to this little piece
 of strategy. did not care to meet Dr. M. after such an issue and asked her to ex-
 plain my position to him. He was very
 often found in her presence and I knew
 she would not lack a favorable opportun-
 ity Then l went my homeward way,
 taking great care that 1t should be "twixt
 the daylight and darkness, when the shad-
 ows of eventide fall" I wanted no kind
 neighbor or solctous friend to behold my
 saddened features or swollen eyes.
 I was greeted with open arms All mem-
 bers of the family were unfortunately at
 home and immediately evinced profound
 interest and pleasure in the anticipated re-
 cital of the experience incidental to my
 first venture, the younger ones quickly
 drawing up chairs to the blazing grate fire in order that they might enjoy the story under the most comfortable condi- tions And who Is there that can compile
 more numerous and inquisitive questions than the members of ones own immediate household? Summonng as much cheerful
 
 and suspicion of a lost cause, I gave a little outline of my patients surroundings in his home, his uncomfortable condition when I went to him, the transformation effected by myself. the presentation of the try during it's early days of elegance, and the satisfactory response of my patient to all treatment-omitting the climax. did not want these young folks to know of my failure; they could not understand ,o4
 had gone my feelings could no longer be concealed in the presence of the older ones who knew me we'll and again I gave 8 true synopsis of my pathetic adventure, leaving out no detail of the closing scene enacted in the regal Empress Apart ments" with Mrs. O'Gara's diminutive tenement kitchen as an unusual setting. We had taken parts dramtic enough for any stage. The curtain had fallen on a scene stranger than fiction. Truly, ''All the worlds a stage, and all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances"
 After the first outbreak of tender sympa- thy from my family the humor was posi- lively rampant; they seemed never to have | witnessed or heard of a parallel comedy. My modification and discomfort appeared 1 to be forgotten. To myself there was no ray of humor; my feelings and pride had l 1 an adventure happened to classmate I might have been quick to realize its in- significance-but--it had happened to my | self, and with my first patient!
 | From my superintendent learned twice daily of Michael OGara's condition He made an excellent recovery. The follow- | ing week, Dr. M asked me to take charge of another patient Professor IS. or the University of T., and an old teacher of xtillt doctor made no reference to 'the case of Michael O'Gara," but with his first glance there 1 rolled from his eyes volumes of suppressed merriment and understanding.
 1 The wound healed, but tiny scar still | remains Ere the year had rolled away, | my sorrow had almost been forgotten. 1 Christmas returned and with it little | understanding. A second celebration was ! rendered in my honor. The glad morning dawned cold, clear and beautiful With l the kindliness of time. all my wilful feel | ings towards Mrs. Michael OfGara had reached the vanishing point and on that
 bright Christmas morning joined with all other glad hearts and enrolled forth: ''Peace on earth, good will toward men. This is the first experience of Miss Jane w. Barry, who is serving her second term as president of the Birmingham Graduate | Nurses association. woman who knows l no defeat even though she surrendered Michael. She has battled with her profes- 1 sion and is a splendid example of what l it means to sacrifice ones pleasures to the
 comfort and care of others.
 "The sun sets beyond the western hills, but the trail of light he leaves behind him guides the pilgrim to his distant home. We live, and we die. but the good or evil we do lives after and is not buried l with our bOneS.'