Evening star., 1924-11-23


nouncement. \ new doctor coming
next week. After 80 years he was
to share New Salem with another,
Occasionally he had thought of the
time. though always as far in the
future, when he would drop out of
the harness altogether and give way
to younger man. But this was
different. Why, he was barely 80,
and AS hale as he had ever been!
There would be two doctors in New
Salem. 1t seemed incredible.
Then his mind turned to the man
who was coming. Young. Jane had
said, just out of school. Married, too,
he inferred, or ne wouldn't be rent
ing the whole house. Well, he would
lind 1t pretty hard shedding for the
first few years probably. New Salem,
once established in line of action.
did not change easily as rule.
Then with rush of quick SYM
pathy he thought again. Poor young
ster, 4 head full of fine theories and
the enthusiasm to work miracles and
not a dollar to rub against another.
Just as he himself had been 55 years
ago. There was really work enough
for two men. after all, and he would
take pains, when he could, to throw
something in the youngsters way. A
word from him here and there would
help. II would be relief. too. to
have some one near to help out with
an anesthetiC now and then.
BY the time he had turned out the
light lie was thinking almost cheer
fully of the new arrival. At so a
man ought to slow down a little. per
hapS. He wondered if the young fell
low could afford A car. great thing
to have a talk once in while with
him about all the latest methods d.
pretty hard day . hoped Chevy
wouldn't have to waken him that
night
The doctors face settled into its
accustomed peaceful lines as he slept.
* x X =
IN the brisk Autumn morning he
felt more interested than ever in
the news Jane found him, when
breakfast was ready, out in the office,
Strengthening the bottles on the
shelves and trying to bring a SEM
blance of order to the long tablelike
desk, which groaned under a vast ac-
cumulation. He was tenderly dust
ing some late medical journals on his
trousers when Jane spoke from the
doorway.
"Well?" she remarked.
Her brother turned in some en-
barraSsment II was Just tidying
Il should think it was time If you
would only let me keep this office as
it should be kept
Now, now Jane, look out" as she
made a movement toward the desk
II know just where everything is
here"
We'll, it's more than any body else
would know" She pulled open a
drawer. revealing some frayed ac-
81 TIar ;r,I,.
we'll throw these out, for all the use
YOU make of them.
The doctor made no reply. His lax
ity" in keeping books" was notorious
in the neichhorhood
"Breakfast's waiting" Jane went
on. What struck YOU to start clean
ing
The doctor hesitated a second.
Why" he said, II thought maybe the
young fellow would drop in to pay
his respects when he came. lie might
want to borrow something. | don't
Imagine he's very well stocked up. 1t
may be fine thing to have him here,
Jane. can take things little
easier-that is, provided the folks
here will have anything to do with
him. ] expect I'll have to pave the
way little for the youngster.''
Pave the way" Jane shifted. I'D
l
he came from"
All through the week the doctor
earnestly tried to put in an adroit
word here and there for his young
rival
Well" he would remark cheerfully
to a patient as he rose to go, IT hear
We're TO have a young doctor in
town. These young fellows are pret-
ty keen, | tell you-all the latest
ideas. you know, that haven't reached
us old fogies yet. Well, We'll have
to see he doesn't starve among us,
anyway"
now if | want to. since we're to have
another doc in the town. ] think Ill
try it. / haven't had the luxury of
a good sick spell for thirty years"
Or, perhaps, Well, l reckon after
next week Chevy and I'll just go out
of business. / wouldn't be surprised
If this young chaps pretty smart.
He took d postgraduate course,
hear"
BY the next week the matter of the
young doctors arrival was on every
body's tongue. The town quite
seethed with curiosity and excite
ment. The furniture came from
Somerville I'm two large trucks, and
word of it was hastily passed along
The Lane house, which was to receive
it, stood on Main street directly op-
posite the general store, and there
were few housewives in New Salem
that day who did not discover some
serious lack in the family supplies
and go to that emporium for re-
plenishment. Some even made two
trips.
Leaning against the stores front
windows, or seated on the side of
the wide stone steps, were those
fortunate males who either worked
at night or did not work at all. These
missed nothing that tranSpired.
The young doctor himself arrived
on the second van. He was tall
and slender, with keen blue eyes,
and quick. decisive movements. He