[Written for The Flag of our Union]

The Death Ring

by James D. M’Cabe, Jr.

When Dr. Edward Landsfield was a young man, and just entering upon the practice of medicine, he located himself in the then town and now city of L—. There was but one other physician in the place, and he was an old man, who was getting too far advanced in years to pay the proper attention to his business. The young doctor had a hard time at first; for the people of the place had a strange and bitter prejudice against young physicians, and for a while turned their faces from him. IT was fully a year before he had anything at all to do; and had not he been provided with money enough to support himself in a shabby way during that time, he would have starved. As it was, he was almost discouraged, and was seriously contemplating a speedy departure from the town. He was sitting in the little room he called his office, one evening, puffing away vigorously at his German pip, and pondering the question, whether to go away from L— or remain and fight it out a little longer. It was snowing heavily out of doors, and the wind was howling around the house at a furious rate. It was an excellent night for thinking, and the doctor felt that he would be perfectly safe from callers and patients, and would have ample time to discuss the important question which perplexed him. He had thought it over a hundred times before, but had never fully made up his mind either way in regard to it. He could see very little to be accomplished by remaining, if indeed there was anything. But on the other hand, to go away seemed like cowardice. It seemed like abandoning the field in disgrace, like a victory of ignorant prejudices over science. He was thoroughly perplexed. Suddenly he was aroused by the loud ringing of his doorbell. In genuine astonishment he opened the door, and saw standing before it a man well… Read More