The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-03-03

bowling. He was walking along the
speakers table to a position
directly in front of Sir Basil. Paul
grew apprehensive. What was his
brother going to do? Sir Basil
himself. recognizing his caller of
the afternoon, leaned forward
negligently.
III at ease at first, the country
doctor began with pleaSantries
about small-town practice, and
drew good-humored laughter and
applause from the tolerantly su-
perior audience. AS he CROPPED his
way, DR.. John gained self-confi-
dence. He went on.
Another comforting thing
about being a country doctor is
that HE GETS PAID" Here there
was appreciative laughter from
the fashionable audience. "Of
course I was a little long on eggs
this past year. I confess I had to
eat good many more omelets
than hke-every one from proud
fathers to toothache sufferers paid
me in eggs. OF course I got other
pay, a cord of wood, horse collar,
two hogs, fine Plymouth Rock
chicken. also collected nearly
$187 in cash during the year"
THE laughter which greeted
II these sallies, was suddenly
stilled when the doctor switched
to serious vein.
But do envy you city doctors
one thing, gentleman-a hos
pitalp
Then DR.. John Luke forgot him
self, forgot the audience before
him, forgot everything but the
babies of Moosetown, and Sir
Basil. Turning toward that en-
barrassed individual, he continued
passionately:
Il want a hospital more than
anything else in the world. That's
Why came to Montreal-that's
Why l came here tonight-to ap-
peal to the one man who can give
1T to us. But he's been busy-too
busy to hear about it,"
The country doctor was ablaze
now with the earnestneSs of his
plea. The POSTMASTER made en-
barrassed cluckings, endeavoring
to interrupt the torrent. Sir Basil
cleared his throat and flushed.
Il can't help it, gentlemen!" the
doctor hurried on. i've got to
finish. 1t isn't fair to my people
up there to be operated on on
Kitchen tables. 1t isn't fair that
babies have to be put in the kitch-
en- oven because there's nowhere
else warm enough to keep them
alive. 1t isn't fair that whole
families come down with infec-
tlous diseases just because there
isn't any place to isolate the sick
ones!"
A murmur rose from the whole
nail. Their guest of honor was
obviously being embarra Ssed. The
POSTMASTER raped sharply.
I'm not blaming you, sir" the
country doctor went on, speaking
almost directly to Sir Basil. You
nave many problems, and we're
only few poor people way up
north. But you must KNOW these
things. You must DO something"
THE POSTMASTER rose decisive
Il ly.
Sorry, DOCTOR" his voice came
sharply. I'm sure that at
another time we would be glad
to hear more of your problems.
But tonight our time is short
Overcome at last by the feel
ing of hostility in the hall, DR..
Luke munbled a Thank you.
gentlemen!' and sat down.
DR.. Paul in quick sympathy
came down from the speakers
table and seated himself beside
his brother, a reassuring hand
on his arm. DR.. John sat staring
straight ahead of him, unseeing.
filled with sense of shame and
failure.
He half-rose perfunctorily as a
distinguished looking guest
paused at the table.
"A very fine speech, sir!" the
beribboned guest said to him
earnestly. TT wa svery deeply
moved, indeed!"
THANK you, DOCTOR" muttered
DR.. Luke, too shaken by his ex-
perience to see through rlisted
glasses who had encouraged him.
The stranger moved off.
Great snakes, Johnm whis-
pered. DR.. Paul in his unheeding
ear. That's no doctor! That's
the Governor General of
Canada!"
Go Be Continued