The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1912-06-05
By WILLIAM G. ERNST

by disputing his diagnosis ana treat
ment in every case. II Farmecute said
a man had typhoid fever Thorax de-
clared he had the mumps. IL Farme-
cute gave sedative Thorax sneered
and said that he needed stimulant-
Therefore DR.. Farmecute accepted the
new field with the proviso that IL MS
diagnosis or treatment were ques-
toned by any one and he shot the
objector he was not to be prosecuted.
The committee accepted the condition.
and the doctor hung out bis shingle In
Jimdandy.
There had been but half dozen
cases of illness In the town In year.
though they had been worrying ones
to those who took care of the patients.
The hanging out of doctors sign
seemed to have peculiar effect on the
inhabitants. While 1t had not occur
red to them before that there was any
thing the matter with them. now every
person who passed the doctors office
and read his sign felt compelled to
consult him. But woe betide any one
who ventured to disagree with him as
to the disease from which the patient
suffered or the treatment. One morn
ing Tim Hickson was passing the doc
tors office when Jim Ferguson came
crashing through the door, forwarded
by the toe of the doctors boot
whats up, Jim?" asked Hickson.
"Why, consulted the doctor for a
sore throat, and he told me the trouble
was in the stomach. said l could cot
well enough If / could get anything
down, but / couldn't swallow. where
upon he hustled me out"
Served you right" said Hickson.
1.-THE doctor came here with the stipu-
lation that he was not to be disputed
professionally"
eff that's so how am ! to get even
with him?"
well, If you want to get revenge
you'd better tackle him on some other
subject. If you insist on throat trouble
when he says your stomach's wrong
and he shoots you he's not to be pun
ished."
Ferguson passed on. rubbing his
bruises and trying to think OF way
TO get even with the doctor. 1t was
evident that in a professional way
Farmecute had the people Of Jimdandy
with him. In any fracas In that Line
they would favor him. and the result
would be to the discredit Of his pa
tient Ferguson brooded over his
treatment, but his throat got well OF
itself.
One day he went back to the doc
tors ofice-this time he had his gun
with him--and said:
Doctor, I'm sick. ! reckon I'm go
ing to die"
.'Where does the trouble he?"
"Oh, don't know. I'm no diagnoser.
That's for you to find out"
.I didn't mean that I want you to
tell me what's the matter with you ]
want to know your symptoms"
II haven't any symptoms"
'rThen you haven't any disease"
eyes, / have"
The doctor had turned away, and
when he saw the patient again Fer
euson was looking at him from be-
hind the muzzle of revolver. His
own gun was in drawer In his med
icine case, but there was no opportu-
nifty to get It II Ferguson objected.
.I've got frightful disease. and l
want you to tell me what 1t Is"
How can tell you without KNOW
ing your symptoms"
81 told you my symptoms the last
time called on you professionally.
and you fred me out for my palms.
"Well, can't do anything for you"
Ferguson cooked bis weapon. III
YOU don't diagnose my case before
count fve," he said, "Ill make case
for an undertaken. One, two
"You are suffering from amnesia."
whats thatT
you're forgetting YOURSELF"
Three
~Let me see your tongue" ,
Ferguson put out his tongue
81 must feel your pulse"
mot much. You'll have to find out
what's the mhtter Win he ~ SoHAe
Dther way"
you will need a sedatve. Excuse
me a moment and I'll give you hypo
dermic to quiet you"
A little syringe was lying on table
with other instruments. The doctor
picked it up, filed it with liquid and
advancing boldly toward his patient
suddenly raised 1t and squirted the
contents in Ferguson's eyes. Jim drop
ped his revolver and clapped his hand:
to his eyes.
Tim Hickson happened to be passing
the doctors office again and saw jim
Ferguson coming out exactly the same
way as before. Jim fell on his knees
and, rising, CROPPED about wildly.
whats up. JIM"
been seeing the doctor again. We've
settled 1t. The troubles In the eyes
I've gone blind"
Ferguson's sight soon came back &
him. but be concluded to let the doc
tor alone.