Argosy All-Story Weekly, May 5, 1928 — page 32: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

5938 “Oh, Lord!” cried the man. seemed suddenly to wilt. “Ts there anything I can do for your” Johnny’s tone was solicitous. * Your trunk is here, at least, [ suppose it’s yours.” “ Oh, damn the trunk!” “Did you expect some one to meet you?” “No! Ive never been in this dump before and I don’t know anybody here, and what’s more, I don’t want to.” “Then why,” asked Johnny, in sheer curiosity, “ did you come?” He But his curiosity remained unsatis-_ fied. While he talked, the man’s eyes closed, his grip on the edge of the coun- ter relaxed and he slipped quietly to the floor. Johnny rushed into the waiting room. The stranger had fainted. Johnny had stretched him out on his back and opened a door to let in some air. He then got a bucket of cold water and dashed it in the man’s face. When he came to, Johnny carried him to one of the benches near the door. He was mad because his clothes were wet, but Johnny let him rave and telepioned for old Dr. Sprague. The doctor came over immediately and took the prostrate man’s pulse and temperature. He looked him over quizzically, then shook his head. “ Who is it, Johnny?” he asked. It may be mentioned here that in a small town, the formalities of address are dropped at the earliest possible mo- ment. Last names are forgotten after the first meeting and it’s Johnny or doc, as though they had known each other always. “T don’t know,” said Johnny. “ He came in from the Junction just now. He’s got a trunk out in the baggage room almost as big as a box car. He was asking me about the next train out of town when he fainted.” “There was nobody with him?” the doctor inquired. “He was all alone. Doesn’t even know anybody here in town.” ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. “ He’s certainly got no business here, Johnny. Hospital’s the place for him.” “It is not!” the stranger cried pas- sionately. He struggled to a sitting po- sition. “ You just try taking me to a hospital. You'll never get me there alive.” b “Take it easy,” said Dr. Sprague. “We won’t take you to the hospital. You rest awhile and then tell us what the trouble is.” “Take him over to my room at the hotel,” Johnny suggested. “It’s the nearest place I know of.” “Think you can walk a little way?” the doctor inquired. The stranger opened his mouth to speak and one judged that he was about to make an objection. But again he gave the impression of wilting and he nodded his head feebly. : Johny supported him on one side and Dr. Sprague on the other, and together they walked to the Richville Hotel, which, in reality, was a glorified board- ing house. Johnny paid fifteen dollars a week there for his board and room. They managed to get the patient up the stairs and arranged him on John- ny’s bed. There was a terrified look on his face as his rescuers started to leave. “You better snatch a little sleep,” Johnny advised. “T’ll be over to see you at noon and if you want anything, just call down the stairs and I’ll come over if you need me.” He left the door open as he went out. The doctor was there at noon when Johnny returned. The patient had just finished a glass of orange juice and some broth. “T wish,” he said pointedly to the old man, “that you’d get out of here. Tt isn’t that I dislike you personally, but 1 hate doctors and I don’t want you around.” The doctor left immediately, wink- ing at Johnny as he passed. “T guess you hurt the old fellow’s feelings,’’ said Johnny when the doctor had gone. COPMICLOOOKS (F@)