Norwich bulletin., 1914-10-22
THE YOUNG DOCTOR


 '91ow, son, want you to get rid of these foolish notions of yours. I sent you to college to learn farming and not to get fool notions about women. Marry, if you want to, but marry 8 woman who will make 8 home for you and not one of these high educated"
 "But father. times have changed: the professions are open to all women, and the women are demanding to De edu- cated whether or not they intend to stay at home"
 You don't know women, Sam. reckon you don't remember your moth CT well enough to appreciate a good woman when you see one"
 The sons face flushed as he saw the shadow cross the face of his father with the mention of his mother. No he had not forgotten his mother and worshipped her memory as only son could; but he realized that he lived in a different age than his parents and that different times demanded other standards than those gone by. The recolfections of his mother were dear to the heart of the son. and no doubt he. too. would have taken just such woman for his wife if it had not been for his college education But as higher education changes all ideas, so does 1t change ideas of matrimony.
 Sam Luscomb had been shy about telling his father of the love that had come into his life while at college, and it was only when they were to attend his college reunion. year after his graduation. that he imparted his secret to his parent The father was scorn- ful. A woman doctor! Bah! He felt she could not be a real woman, to study such profession; and then, when he learned that she practiced her profession, the narrow-minded country fu frrt~f fad In hi Ie opinion of her.
 The elder Luscomb disiiked the girl from the first, but when he saw her his prejudice became stronger than ever. At the reunion all the graduates joined in parade, the farming district the medical, the legal. and last but not least the suffrage division. Leading this last was a tall, regal woman, bearing huge banner, which silently called out for equal suffrage. Sam had told his father that the leader of this division was the girl of his heart and the father hastily scanned the pretty face. to see what kind of a girl his son had associated with during his college days.
 The girl was pretty, this the man could not deny. She was a modern woman, dressed in the styles of her time, but his ideas went back to the memory of his wife in wide skirts and
 
 wife lowering about the kitchen came to him, and he compared her to this young woman doctor. parading the streets, with a huge suffrage banner held high that all passersby might see it's flaming co1ors. With his compari- son with the olden times, his scorn oi the modern woman and her ways be- came complete.
 Myra Nadeau shook hands with the man who only few minutes before had so scrutinized her, and felt the chill of his manner in greeting her She had expected that Sam would have told his father about her and looked for a more cordial reception. Sam wanted her to go with him to announce their matrimonial intentions. but this the girl refused to do, and she exacte6 a promise from him that he would not tell his father of their intentions unu he had become reconciled to her.
 'I'1l find a way to win him over; bu can't marry you till we have his ap- proval.
 And in this decision she remained firm. declaring to herself that it would have to be the elder IIuscomb thai would make the future overtures. Bu later she did reluctantly consent tc make a two weeks trip to Sam's native town, with the proviso that Sam would not tell his father of her visit.
 The summer season had been hari one, with the Luscombs working early and late to get in their crops and su- perintend things about their big farm Towards the latter part of the seasor the elder man seemed to lose interest in his work, and suddenly the great very sick man. The country doctor pronounced. it an acute case of ap. pendicitis and ordered an immediate operation. The city was 20 miles away and every moment was precious. De- lay meant danger to the sick man. IT his first anxiety. Sam had sent fol Myra. and when she arrived she quick ly took in the facts, demanding:-
 Cant you operate He won't live to reach the city"
 'Td rather not; it's hard case"
 'Well, suppose you could at leasI assist in an operation ?" she questioned
 "Oh, know what to do all right. wondering what this young woman meant by her questioning.
 "Then prepare for an operation al once" Her voice was authoritative.
 Quickly the girl changed her dress for a long white gown, and her nimble fingers laid out the necessary articles for modern surgery.
 What the--'.
 Get ready to assist when need you," she ordered the old practitioner.
 The bewildered man watched hel prepare her patient for the operation and as one in daze he handed hel things as she asked for them. Not once did her stflful fingers falter 1T their task. and when it was all ovel she dressed in her street clothes and went down to Sam, who had been ner- vously pacing the floor in his anxiety
 "It is all right now, Sam; he will get through" she announced.
 And you helped Doctor Lane?' he said proudly.
 herself no credit for the great wori she had just performed. And wher the sick man came out from the an esthetic he met the eyes Of the country doctor.
 You have saved my 1ife," he said feeb1y.
 ''Me?' Oh, no; if 1t hadn't been fol that girl. you might not be here now