Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1849-08-03
Ths Village Doctor.
y.ox rur ranscu OF cousrIm D'A,Dor,Illl

lConeiadcd.l
I Thus passed tie frs, yeirs Of Williams
childhood. lie attained tie age OF eight
years. Then sad chante, which could
no, escape my attentive observation, occur.
red in Eva Meredith. Either that her sous
growth made his want OF Intelligence more
striking, or that she waslike a workman
who has labored all day, ind sinks at eve
beneath the load OF toll, En ceased TO hope
her soul seemed TO abandon the task under
taken, and to recoil with WEAKNESS upon
itself, asking only resissation. She laid
aside the books. the engrs,ings, the music.
all the means, in short, that she had called
to her aid; she grew silent and depending,
only, il that were possible, she was more
affeciionate than erer 10 her son. As she
lost hope in his cure. she felt the more
strongly that her child had bu, her in the
world and she asked a miracle Of her
heart--sn increase Of the love she bore
him. S.,e becsme her sons servant this
slave; her whole thoughts were concentrat-
ed in his weIl-being. Ii she felt cold, she
sought a warmer covering for William
was she hungry, il was for Willism she
gathered the fruits Of the garden did she
suffer from fatigue, for him she selected
the easiest chair and the soltest cushions;
she attended to her own sensations only 10
guess those OF her sou. She still display ed
activity, though she no longer harbored
hope.
When William was eleven years old, the
last phase Of Eva Meredith's existence be-
gan. Remarkably tall and strong for his
/ age, he ceased to need that hourly care re-
quired BY early childhood: he was no long
Of the infant sleeping on his mothers
knees; he walked alone in the garden; he
rode on horseback with me, and accom-
panied me in my distant visits; in short,
the bird, although wingless, left the nest.
His misfortune was in no way shocking or
painful 10 behold. He was Of exceeding
beauty, silent, unnsturally calm--his ex-
preston nothing but repose, his mouth ig-
norant Of smile he was not awkward, or
disagreeable, or importunste: il was a
mind sleeping beside yours. asking no
question, making no reply. The incessant
maternal care which had served TO occupy
Mrs Meredith. and TO divert her mind from
dwelling on her sorrows, became unneces-
sary, and she resumed her seat at the win
dow, whence she beheld the village and the
church sieeple---at the same window where
she had 30 long wept her husband. Hope
and occupation successfully failed her, and
nothing was LEFT her but 10 wait and watch.
-hy.d ay, and By night. like Inc lamp that ey,
But her forces we're exhausted. Ia the
midst Of this grief which had returned to
its starting point. to silence and immobility
alter having in vain essayed exertion, cour-
age, hope, Eva Meredith fell into decline
In spite Of al resources Of my art, beheld
her grow weak and thin. How apply a
remedy, when the sickness is Of The soul I
The poor foreigner she needed her ma
tive sun and little happiness to warm her
but the ray OF sun and the ray OF joy were
alike wanting. II was long before she per
ceived her danger, because she thought not
OF herself; but when al last she was unable
TO leave her armchair, she was compelled
to understand. will not describe to you
all her anguish at the thought OF leaving
William without guide, without friend OF
protector--of leaving him alone, in the
midst Of strangers. he who needed 10 bs
cherished and led by the hand like a child
| Oh, how she struggled for life with wha
avidty she swallowed the potions prepar'
ed how many times she tried TO believe il
cure. whilst all the time the disease pro
crossed Then she kept William more a
home,- could no longer bear TO los'
sight OF him.
"Remain with me-" she said and Viii
liam, always content near his mother, seat
ed himself at her feet. She looked al hin
long, until food Of tears prevented he
Distinguishing his gentle countenapce; thei
she drew him still nearer 10 her, and press
ed him TO her heart. "OhW she exclaimed
in kind Of delirium, ''if my soul. on leay
ing my body, might become the soul Of M
child, how happy should be to die !" NJ
amount Of suffering could make her who'll
despair OF divine mercy, and when oil hu
man possibility disappeared, this Ioylnl
heart had gentle dreams out Of which II re
constructed hopes. But how sad il wa.
alas to see the poor mother slowly perish
I ing before the eyes of her son who under
stood not death, and who smiled when sh
embraced him.
"He will not regret me-" she said Oh
will not weep; he will not remember. p
And she remained motioness, in mute con
temptation Of her child. Her hand the
sometimes sought mine: "You love hin
dear doctor 7" she murmured.
II will never quit him." replied l. q
: long as he has no better friends than mi
, self" God in heaven, and The poor vi
: lage doctor upon earth, were the two qua
|, dams TO whom she confded her son.
Faith is great thing. This womal
A widowed, disinherited. dying. an idiot chill
: at her side, was yet saved from that uti'
i despair which brings blasphemy 10 the lii
: Of death. An invisible friend was near he
: on whom she seemed 10 rest, lstenin
4 sometimes TO holy words, which she alor
!. could hear.
! One morning she sent for me early, :
! She had been unable 10 get up. With b
!. wan. iranspnren, hand she showed me
!. sheet of paper on which few lines we
n written.
e doctor" she said. in her gentlest tone
81 hare moi strength 10 continue; finish ii
/ letter r.
i read as follows:
"My lord write TO you for the Ia
1, time. Whilst health is restored TO your
!" age. | suffer and am about 10 die. lea
vo,,r grandson. William KysIngton, wiiho