Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-11-06
s E LECT TALE.
THE DOCTORS STORY.

o'clock at night, was comfortably seated in
my favorite armchair, reposing my thoughts,
which had been painfully exerted during ahard
days labor in the arduons duties of nav pro-
fession. BY re,racing many of the scenes in
which the las, twenty-five years of my life had
been passed.
Ia early youth had chosen the medical pro-
fession from predilection and my attachment
to il had increased with increasing years. Five
years of struggles, five more of gradual ad-
vancement towards establishing a successful
practice. and fifteen more added to these, dur
ing which had had more patients than could
possibly attend to. formed my professional his
tory, and brought me to the age of ifty-a
steady, wealthy bachelor, having obtained
some reputation for skill, and, what valued
more, the friendship Of many of my Patients
Over reoollec,ions in which blessings greatly
predominated. one sorrow still brooded. When
about thir,y-fve years of age, ,the commence
ment of my getting what is called " into fash
ion, | was called 10 attend an only child. the
daughter of widow. In her found the only
woman | ever loved with that love tha, leads
one 10 constitute the happiness OF ones future
life in passing i, with the being so adored;
but could not her; my art NAV have
smoo,hed her path TO the gravel trus, it did
more was not permitted 10 me. The shadow
of this grief darkened many after years; nor
copld an inheritance of about $500 per annum.
into which most Unexpectedly came about
that period, through the death of an uncle and
two cousins, in any degree console me /; but BY
leading very active life. and exerting myself
Increasingly in nv profession. | al length re-
gained tranquility From the moment practice
was no longer necessary to my subsistence, pa
tients focked IN upon me, SO that was often
obliged to send some of them TO one or two of
my professional friends.
On the evening when the first scene of the
little Renaissance | am about 10 relate occur
red, the weather was cold for the season; a
quantity of diugy London snow Law half melt
ed on the ground. and a heavy sleet was falling
fast-just the kind of night to make one appre-
ciaie fireside comforts and | was congratula-
ting myself on the prospect of spending the
night Al home, not thinking it likely any of my
patients would summon me, when an impa-
tent double knock at the s,reet-door put all nv
cozy anticiparons 10 flight. Ny good-humor
was. however, speedily restored by seeing my
ever-welcome friend, Col. Delaware. enter nv
library. He was an especial favori,e of mine,
and the world in general, and most deservedly;
a brave and able officer, often desperately
wounded, he united 10 feeling and simple
heart, strong. clear understanding, a hand
some person. and a manly. quiet manner and.
paramount above all those sterling qualities,
integrity and honor, which add the brightest
lustre even 10 4 diadem, and can make the low
est serf gentleman of Natures own creating
He was man of few words, and generally un-
demonstrative; but having known him iuii-
mately for many years, instantly saw that
heavy cloud hung upon him. and as invited
him to take an armchair opposite to my own,
rather anxiously inquired if anything allied
little Cecil, alluding to his only child, lovely
boy of two years old.
NO he 81 well; it is of his mother am come
to speak
Mrs. Delawarel' exclaimed. Thank
God, the evil can hardly be grave enough TO
warrant the despondency read in your coun-
tenance, for saw her in her carriage but two
days since | was not very close to her, GER
tainly, but near enough TO see she is as pretty
as ever
Nevertheless. my friend, she is dying, re-
joined COL Delaware.
Dying Good God and we sit talking
here; let us hasten TO her Instantly. and Won
can explain the circumstances while we are on
the road hurriedly uttered, while preparing
10 invest myself with the overcoat that is ever
the companion of my night rambles
To my surprise, my visiter stirred not, but
mournfuIly shaking his head, said, not so nv
dear doctor, you cannot see her tonight =
whether can manage for you ever to do so,
know not; for now she resolutely refuses TO
have any advice, asserting that her malady is
beyond the reach of human skill
Pooh, nonsense! and you suffer her to in
jure herself physically and morally, BY giving
way to such caprices,' said l, very grossly,
throwing down the coat, and planting myself
in my own chair-for | can be little iesty
when those in whom am interested will no,
do as I think they ought. Softening, howev-
er, as looked more closely into my friend S
face, added, at least, tell me all YOU can
Where is the seat of her complaint, how long
has it been apparent, and what are its symp-
tomst'
Il can only tell you,' he replied, thai
sbont a month since, she began 10 waste away,
losing both appetite and strength, and also to a
great degree. the power Of sleeping; she turns
with disgust from all sustenance, and it is with
the greatest difficulty she can be persuaded to
swallow few spoonfnIs of any food in the
course of the day. That pure color you used
to admire, now only appears in sudden fushes
she VIII not admit that she is i'll, yet she has
been frequently observed to shed tears over her
boy, pressing him to her heart with almost
convulsive energy. Since | was elected a
member of the House of Commons, | have had
q separate sleeping apartment, fearing that the
late hours am obliged to keep nigh, disturb
Clara, whose constitution, you have often told
me, though not sickly, is very delicate. In
the daytime she will scarcely suffer me to re