A HASTY REBUKE.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12488, 15 March 1909, Page 4

A HASTY REBUKE.

I was told a sad little story the other day by one. of the most celebrated of our surgeons (observes ajady Writer in a Home paper). He was examining* a crushed knee at one of the hospitals, and, looking up at the slender and refined, but middle-aged, wo- , man whom he was attending, Be said, with intentional " sarcasm, - ''A silk stocking, madam; I hardly think you are quite one to be recipient of hospital charity, eh ?" I have no doubt lie asked the question a little abruptly, as .there is doubtless a great deal of- imposition going on with regard to free treat,ment; but he told me he felt he would have given anything to recall what he had -said, for she flushed painfully, and her eyes filled with tears, as she .stammered, "It was only six months ago since my father died, and left us without a penny, and I— l haven't got anything but these, and I'm using them up ; I bought them a long time ago." • This little story contains two morals (says the "New Zealand Times"). One for the man who judged without knowing all the yircumctances, and the other for the fathers who live up to, and allow their wives and daughter? to live up to, their entire income, "knowing -that if anything happens to them the family will be left in penury.