The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1913-09-04
Keeping Him
Alive
BY F. A. Mitchell

The old colonel lay dying. His son
captain in the army in the Philip
pines, was on his way to see his father
before he died and was expected every
hour to arrive. He was the apple Of
the old soldiers eye. They had fought
together In the Spanish American war
The colonel had seen his son wounded
and carried past him to the rear, but
had refrained from any further ex
preston Of grief than a God bless
you, my boy" and had pressed on q
the head of his regiment. The son had
recovered and after peace came had
been sent to the United States posses.
sions in the Pacific.
When it was known that the colonel
had not long to live the son was mott.
fed and, having secured leave Of alb.
sence, sent word that he would start
for home Immediately. They told the
father that bis boy was coming, and
for a time it buoyed him up wonder
fully. But his disease was rapidly
wearing him out. and he soon fell back
again.
Doctor" he said to his physician,
"can you keep me alive till my son
arrives?"
Il shall try, colonel"
But you must"
II can't work a miracle"
The colonel was not satisfied. His
doctor was an old man brought up in
the old time school, and his patient
wished for younger blood. one who If
he could not defeat natures laws could
by daring and knowledge of their
workings produce some marvellous re-
Suits So the next day he called in a
young man noted for his original meth
DDS and, Diminishing the old doctor who
had been attending him. placed himself
under the young doctors care. These
were the instructions he gave him In
the language he would write an order:
you are not to attack my disease
with view to curing ne. You will
use every effort, take every risk, to
keep me alive till my son arrives that
we may meet once more on earth. In
case you succeed $4,000 will be paid
you from my estate by my son, whom
l shall instruct verbally to do so. II I
am able to give him the instructions
you will receive the money. If I am
not able to give them you will receive
nothing but an ordinary fee"
Never did young physician have a
better chance to make start In his
profession. The doctor devoted him
self personally day and night to his pa
tient Ten days remained from the
time he was engaged before the cap
tain could possibly reach the bedside
Of his father. Every stimulant known
to the profession was administered to
the invalid. but in spite of all Of them
he gradually sank. Eight days passed,
and there was barely enough strength
left in him to keep him conscious.
Then came message that the ship
In which the son was coming was
making port at San Francisco.
When a telegram was received an.
nouncing that the captain had left the
Pacific coast for home it was known
that he would arrive on time In three
days at noon. The doctor told the
colonel Of the time his son would be
with him and urged him to nerve him
self to fight death.
HE is coming" said the old SOL
der resolutely, "and will hold the
position till he arrives"
But twenty.four hours before the
captain was due severe storm set in,
and the weather conditions have
marked effect on those struggling with
disease. The old soldier held out man
fully till the morning Of the day his
son was expected to arrive. Then he
fell away so rapidly that his doctor
felt Obliged to administer the most
powerful heart stimulant known to the
profession. 1t revived the patient, but
not for long. Then oxygen was ap-
piled and lastly galvanism.
By such means the doctor succeeded
in keeping his patient alive till the
hour and minute the train was due.
Then came word that it was an hour
late. For moment the doctor was
staggered. Then he resolved on what
proved stroke Of genius. The colonel
lived near an army station, and the
doctor telephoned the situation to the
conmandant and asked him to send q
detachment, with firearms and blank
cartridges. In half an hour twenty
men under command Of sergeant were
before the colonel's door.
A carriage darted up to the house.
and young man alighted and ran IN.
side and upstairs. Kneeling by the bed.
he exclaimed:
"Father!'
But there was no reply. The colonel
was unconscious.
Going to the window the doctor cried
to the sergeant below:
BEAT the long roll!'''
The sick man heard, and a light came
into his eye, flush into bis cheek.
"A volley" cried the doctor.
Twenty rifles sOunded ut once,