Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1841-05-20
From the I.ndy's Book,
From the Lsd,'s Book
Cure of a HypOchOndriac.
"A PRETTY GOOD STORY. ]
ny stBA SMITH.

\ daughter Harriet, ten years Of age,
running towards him with her utmost
speed. As she came up, he perceived
she was greatly agliaied tears were
running down her cheeks, and she had
scarcely breath enough to speak.
n "Oh, father" she family arliculated,
"mothcr ia dreadful sick she's on Tho
bed, and says she shall die before you
get there"
Il MIR. Wordsum was man Of a sober,
sound mind, and calm nerves +; but he
I had, what sometimes happens III this
!, cold and loveless world oi ou,s, a ten
| der attachment Tor his wife, which made
. the message of the little glrl fall upon
his heart like a dagger. lie dropped
his scythe, and run with great haste 10
the house Obadiah, who Was ut the
other end Of the field, seeing this unusual
movement of his lather, dropped his fork,
and ran with all his might, and the two
entered the house almost al the same
time.
Il Mr.. Wordsum hasiened 10 The bed
side and took his wile's hand. "My
dear Sally" said he, "what is the mat
ter 7"
I. "What is the mntier 7" echoed Mrs E.
WorJsum, with a plainiive groan. 81
shouldn't think you would need to ask
what is The matter Mr.. Wordsum. Don't
you see am dying Z"
"Why, no, Sally, you don't look as if
you was dying. What is the matter {:
How do you :eel Z"
"Oh, | shan, live till night" said
; Mrs. Wordsum, with heavy sigh 81
am going fast"
Mr.. Wordsum, without waiting TO
, make further inquiries, told Obadiah To
, run and Jump on TO the horse, and ride
over after Dr. Fairfield, and get him to
come over as quick as he can come
"Tell him ] am afraid your mother is
dying. Ii the doctors hose is away
, of IN the pasture, ask him 10 take our
: horse aud come right away over, whlle
n you go aud catch his"
1 Obadiah, with tears in his ewes, and
. his heart IN his mouth, flew as Ihoug h
he had wings added Ia his !eet, and ~
three minutes time was mounted upon
Old Gray, and gnll"ping with iull speed
: towards Doctor faIr,sld's.
"My DEAR" said Mr.. Woldsum, lean
!, ing his head upon the pillow, "how dc
;. YOU ieel? What makes you think you
n are d, mgi" Aud he Irnd-'iy k',srt
= her forehead ns he spoke, aud press, I
o her hpnd 70 bis bosom.
!. son Samu-p' ior sh- generally called
y him by hIs Christian name, when undrI
> the influence al tender enuiious, "Oh,
Samuel, ! feel ,lreadlully. ! have pans
f dating through my head, and most All
over me aud ] lecl dizzy, aud can't
/. hardly see; and my heart beats as
5 though 1t would come through my side Y.
: Aud besides, feel a. though l was
dying. am sure | can't live lill night ;
aud hat will become Of my poor Lh,-
JrenW And she sobb.d heavily and
bui. into food Of tears.
= AT length Doctor fauhrld rode up Ia
, the oour, on Mr. " ordsum's Old Gray,
l. aud with saddle-bngs IN hand, haslen-l
u into the house. a brief examination %
= tn. patient convinced HIM that II was 4
decldsd case Of hypochond'ia, anu he
soon spoke encouraging wolds to her
aud told her although she was consIdera'
bly, unwelI, he dad not doubt she would
do better IN hule while.
"Oh, Doctor, how can you say so -
said Mrs. Wordsum "dont you see
am dying can, possibly live TIL
- nigh | am sinking very fast, Doctor.
' | Shall never see the sun Use again.
NV heat sometimes almost stops It's
beating now, aud my feet and. hands
are growing cold But ! must see my
children once more do let 'Gm come IN
and bld me farewell" Here she wa,
. 20 overwhelmed with sobs and tears as tc
/, prevent her saying moro.
The Doctor, peTceivlng II was vain tc
| talk or try to reason with her, assured
, her that as long ms there was lite there
was hope, and told her he would give
r her some medicine that he did not doubt
would help her. He accordingly ad
mipistered the drugs usually approved
by the faculty in such cases, and telling
her that I've would call and see her agam
in a day or two, he left the room. AS
he went out, Mr.. Wordsun followed
! him, and desired To know IN private his
real opinion OF the case. The Doctor
n assured HIM he did not consider II at all
= alarming. 1t was an ordinary case o'
= bypochopdria, and with suitable treat
c men, the patient would undoubtedly soon
be better.
Mr.. Wordsnm felt much relieved al,s,
be- hearing the Doctors opinion and pre-
, scriptons, aud bade the kind physician
: good morning with a tolerabIy Cheerful
- countenancc.
n But alas his sunshine Of hope wn
destined soon To he obscured agnln b!
y the clouds OF sorrow aud dlsappoint
men,. Again she was signing and weep
!. NY on the bed, and again Mr. W"rd
sum was hastily summoned from lb'
ID field, and leaving his plough ~ MD lnr
'e row, tan With brcathless anxiety TO I'M
" " house, where the same scenes were "ga''
~ witnessed which we have already o."
- sc,ibed. Not only once or twice. ou