The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1840-07-29
SELECTED TALES.
From the Portland Transcript.
THE YOUNG PHYSICIAN.
CHAPTER l..
BY cHARLrs p. ILSLEI.

CHAPTER 1.
This will never ds--this will never do re
Psated Frederick Rodney dsspondinely, as HI
arose from his shar and threw aside late med
ical review, over the pages Of which he hac
been pouring for the last hour. Four months
aud over he continued as he walked 10 and
fro in his neatly carpetsd Office four month,
and not single patient as yet. A promising
beginning truly. fear this is no place for me
| must order a barrel Of caomel and start fol
the West. A young physician stands ne
chance here. unless he has a diploma from owe,
the sea. II could hut cross the water--wals
through London or Paris hospital. / might
come in come in y he hastily exclaimed, as
light rap on his door disturbed his sol:ioquy.
The door opened and little child, poorly
clad, entered the office and stammered ost a re-
quest that the doctor would visit her mother.
who the child stated was sick indeed" NsY-
ever was a summons more cheeruiiy oboyed -
He had received call at last. a first csll-snd
Though the appearance of tho young messenger
was anything but promising, what cared he -
The ice was broksn-and he had patient!
Hastily arranging himself he inquired Of the
girl the address ef tho sick woman, which he
immediately transferred TO the slate attached TO
the outside Of his door-ineribiug in bold char
acters-"At Mrs. Morgan's, Thimble Alley"
He then bade the child lead the way, and with
a light heart followed.
Frsderck Rodney was young physician who
had recently established himself in the city OF
-. Poor and friendless he entered the pro-
fossion, and it was only by diut Of the most per-
severng effort that be was enabled 10 maintain
himself during his preparatory studies. But he
was endowed with resolution which no diff
Guilty could overcome, and bravely did he con-
quer the obstacles, that beset his path. Despite
o' the manifold disadvantages under which he
lsbsred, when he received his diploma, he wa,
the acknowledged superior OF the class, aud re
ceived the marked and Haitering CONNIE ndaiior
Of the professors. Go on as you have begun.
said the aged and talented President, as he ten.
dered him the coveted parchmept--' re NIT not
your persevering and praiseworhy efforts. BE
not satisfied with present sttainments study.
ysung man. study-lo, this be your watchword,
and fear not that success will attend YOU"
Rodney was not one TO rest satisfied with
mere mediocrity in his profession. He allowed
himself no unnecessary relaxation, but devoted
all his strong, healthy energies to his noble
calling-a calling we regret to say. disgrsced
by too many unworthy followers.
With ssngulns hopes he rented an office.
neatly furnished it, stuck out his shiugle.' and
sat him down amidst a small but choice selsc-
tion Of medical works, patiently waiting for n
summons TO the bedside Of disease.--Months
however, passed away with once having his
professional services called in requisi,ion, and
heesgan 10 think of starting for the " far West"
that general receptacle Of loa6ng sdventurers.
II was 10 the midst Of dcspo ndog soIloquy
relating TO this subjsct that he was unexpect-
ly sailed upon to visit patient. The house
TO which he was conducted was quito as unpre-
possessing in its appearance as was his little
guide, il was a miserable diapitatsd building,
situated in an obscure alley, evidently the a.
bode Of tho most abjent poverty. The interior
Of the building was not a whit moro isyiiing
than tho exterior. The ehinks in the wall
the uneven 6oor--the broken and stuffed win
dows and tho scsnt furniture--all spoke Of des-
iituiion and suffering. Rodney cast but a
glance around tbs room, when bis attention
was directed to tho asek bed on which was
stretched his patient A slight examination
was sufficient TO scquaint him with the nature
Of the case. The wrstehed woman was suffer
ing under an attack Of the typhus fever Of the
most rirul.nt character, The black swollen
tongue. and the s9nken, psllid eountsnanes
convinced him that the disease had arrived at
that crisis which required the nos, efficient
measures. lie shook his head deubdully as be
took her hand and felt her pulss. Tho chance
Of saving her, he felt, was very slim. So long
as there was life, however, there pss hope, and
be Immediately resored to those means which
the urgesey ot the case demanded. lie neg
leetsd nothing that he thought would have ton
deuey to 5enefit bis patient, and sfsr prsscnb-
ing the proper medicines and leaving directions
as 10 thsr applications to the person in aiten-
denes-a sister Of the sick wemsn-hs took
his departure.
Rodney was young and had not seen enough
Of the world to render him hardened to such a
scene Of ~retehedsess aud ~sot. and although
he expected remonsr,tion for his services. his
ympsthi.. -ers warmly esIis,ed in behalf Of
the poor woman. His auentisrs, therefors,
we're unfemitisd. and he vas rejoieed to per.
eeIve that his sreriops we're not put forth
10 vain. The disease gradually yielded to hi.
ssillful treatment, and il vas not long ere he
pronounced the woman out Of Danger When
he made his last vsi,, the Isvslid vas profuse 10
her ,hsuks. sad, very Unexpectedly to him ,so-