Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 102, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 August 1904 — WORK IN BEING A DOCTOR [ARTICLE]

WORK IN BEING A DOCTOR

An Unpleasantry Recited by Conan Doyle to an American. An American woman asked Conan Doyle one day why he had given up tie practice of medicine. "Because the work was too hard,” Doyle answered. ‘‘Oh, it can’t be hard to be a doctor,” said the woman. "It is both hard nnd unpleasant. And to prove it,” said the novelist, "I'll tell you about my first case. “My first case came to me in the middle of the night. It was January, and a cold rain was falling. The jangle of the door bell awoke- me from a sound sleep, end, shivering and yawning, I put my head out of the window and said, ‘Who's there?’ “ ‘Doctor,’ said a voice, ‘can you come to Peter Smith’s house at once?’ “‘What’s the trouble?’ I asked. “‘Smith's youngest girl has took a dose of laudanum in mistake for paregoric, and we're afraid she’ll die.’ “ ‘All right; I’ll come,’ said I. “I dressed, and I tramped three miles through the cold and the rain to Smith’s. Twice, on tho way, I fell on the Icy pavement, and once my hat blew off, nnd in the darkness I was nearly half an hour finding it. . “Finally, though, I reached Smith’s. But the house was dark —shutters all closed—not a light. I rang the bell. No answer. But at last a head stuck itself gingerly out of a third-story ’window. “ ‘Be you Dr. Doyle?’ it said. “ ‘Yes,’ said I. ‘L«t me in.’ ' “ ‘Oh, no need to come in, doctor,’ said the head. ‘The child’s all right now. Sleeping very quiet.’ “ ‘But how much laudanum did you giro it?’ said I. “ ‘Only two drops, doctor. Not enough to hurt a cat. I guess I’d better take my head in now. The night air is cold. Good night. Sorry to have troubled you.’ “I buttoned up my coat and turned homeward, trying as best I could to stiile my mortification and anger. But suddenly the window was raised agaitff and the same voice cried: “ ‘Doctor! I say, doctor!’ “I hurried back. I thought the child had suddenly taken a turn for the worse. ‘Well, what do you want?’ I sa Id. r h * "The voice made answcir: “ ‘Ye won’t charge nothin’ for this visit, will ye?’ ” —New York Tribune.