"This, my friend," said he, striking his attitude, sinking his voice to its most majestic depth, and stretching forth his hand, to give emphasis to the oration,--"this is a case of concussion of the brain,--that is, while considered without reference to other minor injuries, such as the wound, the fracture, and the luxation. In concussion, sir, I would have you to understand, sir, the practitioner has to contend, or rather to provide beforehand, sir, against two insidious and dangerous consequences, _videlicet_ depression and inflammation. Ehem, sir! do you understand that? If you don't, sir, you are no better than a--I won't say numskull, sir,--but something of that sort. Bleeding may undoubtedly prevent the latter, but it may as certainly aggravate the former,--it may sink the patient into the grave,--it may send him to the devil,--it may"-- "Open his eyes, and so rob the doctor of a patient," said the trader, gruffly. "Do you see how the blood begins to flush over his face? do you hear how hard he draws his breath? Bleed him, and he opens his eyes; warm him with bricks, and plasters, and such stuff, and he will have a brain-fever. Come, doctor, I'll take the blame. If it should hurt him, why a vein is easier stopped than a fool's mouth." "_Probatum est_," muttered the physician; "for nothing but a gag could do that for one that shall be nameless.--The fellow has some gumption, though," he muttered to himself. "Well, I'll bleed him but I _should_ like to put Dan Potts, the raftsman, on him, or some such two-fisted fellow, and have him drubbed for his insolence! yes, I should like it!" And grinning with the agreeableness of the fancy, the doctor phlebotomized the patient. The wisdom of the trader's suggestion was again shown in the event. The blood, at first merely oozing in drops from the vein, at last gathered strength and volume, and the poor painter opened his eyes, and rolled them wildly from person to person. The trader surveyed him for a moment with a much gentler visage than he had hitherto displayed; then turning to the doctor, he said, softly, as if to avoid disturbing the patient, "Now you can bind up the broken bone at leisure. Only keep him quiet, and the hurt is nothing. I did not mean to offend you, doctor--I have a rough way with me. Treat the young man well, and he will soon recover." With these words, he took up his hat, left the apartment, and was soon heard stepping from the porch down to the avenue through the lawn. "An impudent, ignoramus, unconscionable, rascal, with no manners, and half mad!" growled the doctor, giving his indignation full swing. "A wasp-mouthed, sharp-tongued, malicious savage!" exclaimed his friends; and even the matron, who had all the time bustled about, seemingly regardless of all conversation that was not specially directed towards herself, concluded the chorus, by muttering, "And a man that never goes to meeting, I warrant me!"