The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1919-03-22


air of an old practitioner, turned to
Joe Jennings, foreman of the Bonded
Spur gold mine. Here" commanded
the young physician, stick that un-
der your tongue, and don't bite it."
Jennings, who was thrashing about
on a cot In Fallons hotel, snatched the
thermometer and flung it savagely
across the room. 1t narrowly missed
the proprietor of that famous resort,
and broke into fragments against the
upholstered wall.
You're ijiot!" was Fallon's COM
ment. IF was the Doc, I'd break
your face"
With an oath, the sick man con-
signed Mcfarland to eternal damna-
ton. Then, growing indignant, he
continued: 81 didn't send no sheriff's
posse after him. Who the devil asked
him to hang up his shingle in the
Spur, any way? Was anybody sick
here afore he come? No, guess mott
And now Wally's down with the pip,
Carson's kids has the measles, and all
hell's broke loose in my interior"
You'd better quit the job" advised
Fallon, addressing Mcfarland, who
was bending over his surgical case.
Not yet" returned the doctor, as
he uncorcek small blue bottle and
loaded needle-pointed syringe. I'm
going to give him hypodermic injec-
ton of morphine"
Morphine? That's poison! Amt 1t
dangerous?" queried the Irishman
yes, but not in the quantity I'm
using"
Jennings was suffering too much to
notice the action of Mcfarland, who
deftly caught the miners wrist and
skin.
With howl of pain, Jennings struck
at the physician, who warded off the
blow and pinned his patients arms
to the cot. IF you've got sense enough
to keep quiet for few minutes" he
remarked calmly, you'll feel lot bet
ter. You're sick man, and this non
sense will only make you worse. 1t
looks like typhoid" he added, after 8
little, releasing his hold.
Jennings became quiet and soon
passed off into doze.
"Joes the popularest man in the
Spur" commented Fallon, making for
the door. "Do your best for him. Doc
I'm goin down to the bar to tell the
boys how he's doin'."
Mcfarland sat by the window, look
ing absently over the mountains,
thinking of his bride of six months,
left behind in Denver. Presently he
took a letter from his pocket and read
it through The last paragraph wor-
ried him. 1t ran:
You have been gone a month now, long
enough to know if the place is fit for me.
But I shall try to be patient and wait a
week longer. Then, if you do not come
to me, shall 60 to you
Your lonely one,
KATHARINE.
He was still intent upon his letter
when Jennings stirred. The young
man went TO the cot Conscious, but
still under the calming influence of the
drug, the miner permitted him to
make thorough examination
Eyes, it's typhoid" he muttered
mo more morphine. The disease must
run its course without further medical
tion."
Mcfarland had no sooner made this
decision than Jennings, again con-
vulsed with pain, begged for another
hypodermic When 1t was refused him
he reached to chair close by his cot,
fumbled among his clothes. and pro-
duced six-shooter
Look here, young Teller" he threat
ened, propping himself up on one ell
bow and leveling the pistol, IF you
don't give me one of them doses quick
er than / can count ten, I'll give you a
pill that amt in no way calculated to
preserve your health"
Mcfarland shook his head and
laughed. You can't bully me, old
mani"
"Are you goin' to give me that n.y.
per thing?"
NO
Mcfarland almost felt the brush of
a bullet and was deafened by pistol
shot. He was only assured that he
was not dead when he heard Jenning' s
mirthful comment, That's about as
close as can come without hittin'."
The smoke had mostly cleared away
when Fallon rushed into the room He
was amazed to see Mcfarland admin
istering an injection to the belliger-
ent patient. In ten minutes Jennings
was asleep again.
i've had enough Of this. Fallon,
snapped the young man. packing his
surgical case. Il don't propose to prac-
tice medicine under mob rule"
Fallon sighed. II don't blame you,
but IL / calls at the shack, Doc, you'll
advise me concernin' them baths and
feedin' fer him, won't your
"Oh. I'll do whatever can in that
line as long as | stay. but won't an
swer for the result"
1t was in an unhappy state OF mind
that Mcfarland returned to his cab
in. Clearly there was no use in trying
to establish practice In Bonded Spur.
He would get out as soon as he had
the storekeeper's child cured Of