Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1851-02-06
The Doctors First Patient.

The caprice of fortune toward those who court
her, and the humiliation she sometimes imposes as
conditions OF success are rather oddly illustrated in
the following history, which an old English physi-
can gave recently of his personal experience long
time ago. fasa5za 51a7 ss.
4 had completed my studies, and taken nv di-
ploma, when found myself in the great sea of
London, with twenty pounds in my pocket took
the lower part of small house in an obscure street
at the back of some gorgeous square-and laid out
ten pounds in furniture, fixtures and drugs reserv-
ing the other ten to pay my half years rent. -.
The first week sold few pennies worth of
rhubarb and magnesia; and lived on bread and
milk. The next week was no better--nor the next
and as the month was coming to close. was
determined to shut up shop and go as an assistant
when servant came in for shillings worth of
the best magnesia, and some smelling salts. and
took my card. . - g-A
81. Next day he. called again, and bought some
powdered starch, and had bit of talk with me,
had just cleaned my place and self, when in came
In hurry, my new friend the livery servant. He
said his mistress wished to see me as soon as DOS
sible, on something very pressing. asked him if
must go as was. 2sPut on your Sunday coat,
said he, and 60 with me- - .'-l l.-'@ t&s
i went with him to a great house in Portsmouth
square, and was shown up stairs into a splendid
drawing room. A middle-aged lady, of much sll-
avity and graciousness, soon entered and apologs-
ed to me, but hoped from what her servant said of
me | should not be offended 80 =, s..ey- .-..--
Il thought she little knew my feelings, to imag-
inc should be offended at being sent for, and as
sured her was most happy to render any service
IN my power. She told me she had favorite par
rot that had broken its leg, and she had asked the
doctor who attended her. to help set it, and he had
felt himself nsulted at being thought bird doc
tor. She said she had no intention to insult him,
and only wished for information what to do She
told me If would set her birds leg and charge
her the same as for setting her own, where it bro
ken, she whould be happy to employ me- thought
the terms proposed too LIBERAL but she insisted on
no less and consented. s
Some slips of whalebone and little tape ena-
bled us to set the creatures leg, and attended NV
first patient with an assiduity and carefulness
which have not since surpassed. fortnight's
services were rendered and my patient restored
The lady now insisted on my making out my bill
against her. did SO and charged her what she
had bid me-the usual sum for setting such Ia
dys leg. trembled when l gave it to her. 1t
was ten guineas She thanked me, and presented
me with twenty-saying that the other ten were
for my modesty, civility and kindness
She then remarked that she had an opportunity
of making my acquaintance and esteeming my a
bilities, and if agreeable to me she would engage
me as her family physician, for her former doctor
had had many hundred pounds from her, and might
have shown little kindness to her brd-but as he
had made his fortune, he could do without her pat
ronage, and she preferred to give it where it was
appreciated and was serviceable.
Il blushed, and unhesitatngly informed her that
my residence and position were not equal to the
station she was going to put me in. She told me
all that would be bettered, and she saw / wsa de-
serving of it.. She bade me look out a better resi-
dence, and promised she would help me to the ne
cessary furniture and fittings. She told me the a.
mount for medical attendance on herself and her
household was never less than eighty or hundred
pounds year, and that she could secure several
families. - sssL .ze.zr0
Il took house-she did all she had promised,
and laid the sure foundation for my future pros
poets. She was my constant friend until she died,
and she left me something handsome in her will.
have retired from business and my fortune all a
rose from setting that poor parrots leg
A late English paper states that bass-vol, has
been constructed at Vienna, thirteen feet high,