The Strand Magazine, Vol. 01, January 1891: An Illustrated MonthlyVarious
General
The Strand Magazine, Vol. 01, January 1891: An Illustrated Monthly
Various
English literature -- Periodicals; Short stories, English -- Periodicals
Every day--excepting Sundays--between the hours of two and four, a
motley crowd assembles here, bringing with them an animal which has
betrayed signs to its owner that it is not altogether "fit." The cabby
who is the proud possessor of a four-wheeler and an ancient-looking
steed comes with a face which tells another tale than that which
betokens a small fare. The coster thrusts his hands deep into his
trousers pockets and waits in gloomy meditation. Visions of his donkey
being condemned to death on the spot flash through his mind, and he
almost regrets he came.
"Guvnor--I say, guvnor, it ain't a 'opeless case, is it? Don't say it's
all up wi' it. Yer see, guvnor, I couldn't help but bring it along. I'm
a rough 'un, but I've got a 'art, and, there, I couldn't stand it no
longer, seein' the poor creeter a limpin' along like that. On'y say it
ain't a 'opeless case."
He will soon be out of his suspense, for his donkey will be examined in
its turn.
Not only is advice given gratis and the animal thoroughly examined, but,
should it need medicine, or call for an operation, this is readily done,
the students generally performing it under the superintendence of one of
the professors.
The "poor man's" gate has just been opened, and Mr. E. R. Edwards, the
hospital surgeon, holds the bridle of the first horse for examination as
the students gather round. One of the professors appears upon the scene,
and asks the owner what is the matter with his horse.
"He can 'ardly walk, sir."
"Lame, eh?"
"I expec's so, sir."
"What are you?"
"Hawks wegetables about, sir."
The horse is trotted up the yard and back again. Then the professor
turns to a student and asks what he considers is wrong with the animal.
"Lame in both hind legs;"--and, the student having diagnosed the case
correctly, the animal is walked off to be further treated and
prescribed for.
Case after case is taken. One horse that draws firewood from seven in
the morning until ten or eleven at night, cannot eat. Away it goes for
examination, and the temperature of its pulse is taken. A lad, evidently
not used to the stubborn disposition and immovable spirit of donkeys in
general, has brought his own, which he informs the professor he only
purchased "the week afore last." Now, nothing under the sun in the shape
of argument with whip or words will make it go at anything like the pace
which the man from whom he bought it guaranteed.
"Why, sir, I had to drag it here. 'Pon my word, I believe as 'ow he knew
where I was a takin' 'im, for he crawled more'n ever. I thought as 'ow
there might be something wrong wi' his wind."
"Trot him along," said the professor; but the donkey turned a deaf ear
to the inviting cries of forty or fifty students to "go on," and bravely
stood his ground. The victor was placed on one side to be dealt with
later on.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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