Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science, Volume 12, No. 33, December, 1873Various
Science
Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science, Volume 12, No. 33, December, 1873
Various
Literature, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals; Science -- Periodicals
and, coming down perfectly straight as he did, ten feet deeper water
would have let him off little the worse. As it was, he was unconscious
for some time. When he came to himself he was extremely weak and
hungry, and perfectly contented to let them do with him as they
pleased. The doctor's daily visits, the movements of the queer old
couple as they came in and out, fed him and gave his draughts, the
homely old place and the placid expanse of the lake which he saw by
turning his head, were as much and no more to him than his own body
lying there day after day. They were parts of a pantomime, of which he
was actor and spectator, but in which he had no special interest, and
which he was perfectly happy to go to sleep and leave. Gradually his
brain cleared, and slowly he got back the thread of recollection where
it had broken so sharply, and began to spin again; and among the first
clear new ideas that took shape out of his scattered wits was one,
that the queer old couple had been exceedingly good to him, and that
they had no special reason for kindness in his case; and, second,
that this gruff, ruddy, Indian-haired doctor was a man of skill and
decision, and one not too fond of Mr. Daniel Field.
The second Sunday afternoon Field was lying quietly looking out on the
lake from the bed, and thinking in a mood uncommonly serious for
him, not very complacent nor very proud. Some feelings that had been
stronger than he cared to resist these last few weeks had grown vague
and intermittent--some new ones had come into their place.
Dr. Niedever came in and looked at him, giving him no greeting and
treating him brusquely enough. He took a turn about the room, and
faced round. "Well, young man," he said, "we pulled you through a
pretty tight place."
The manner and tone angered Field. "That's your trade, isn't it?" he
answered. "I suppose money will pay you."
"Money!" roared the old doctor. "Of course you'll pay, and pay well.
But do you think I've done it for your sake, or your money? Look here:
he served you right when he threw you over."
"I suppose he'd hang as well as another," answered Field.
"He wouldn't hang. There's no evidence but hearsay and surmise against
him. If you had died, your body would never have been found. A hundred
good men would testify to his character, and I'd have been one. He
stands a worse chance now than if you were anchored to the bottom of
the lake. I haven't saved your life for his sake nor for yours: I have
done it for this old man. You owe me nothing but money, but everything
you've got, and all you'll ever have, and the chance of redeeming
yourself, you owe to old Joe Trapp; and I wish him joy of his debtor!"
"Now, old man," Field answered, "you can go. You needn't come back. I
haven't the money now, but old Trapp will give you my card out of my
coat. Send your bill to that address and I'll pay you when I can."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account