Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-10-02
miscellaneous.
POWER OF IMAGINATION.
FROM THE EXPERIENCES OF LONDON PHYSICIAN.

had been painfully exerted during hard days
labor in the arduous duties of my profession, by
retracing many of the scenes in which the last
twessy- FIVE years of my life had been passed.
Tnearly youth had chosen the medical pro-
fession from prediction; and my attachment to
it 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 histo-
ry, and brought me to the age of fifty-a steady,
wealthy bachelor, having obtained some reputa-
ton for skill, and, what valued more, the friend
ship of many of my patients. Over recollec-
tions, in which blessings greatly predominated,
one sorrow still brooded When was about
thirty five years of age, at the commencement
of my getting what is called "into fashion,"
was called to attend an only child, the daughter
of widow. In her found the only woman
ever loved with that love which leads one to
constitute the happiness Of ones future life in
passing it with the being so adored but could
not save her. my heart may have smoothed her
path to the gravel trust it did--more was not
permitted to me. The shadow of this grief
darkened many after years nor could an inner.
itance of about $500 per annum, into which |
most Unexpectedly came about that period, thro'
the death Of an uncle and two cousins, in any
degree console me but by leading very active
life, and exerting myself increasingly in my pro-
fession, at length regained tranquility. From
the moment practice was no longer necessary to
my subsistence, patients 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 reminiscence am about to relate occur
red, the weather was cold for the season;
quantity of dingy London snow lay half.melted
on the ground, and heavy seet was falling fast
Just the kind of night to make one appreciate
firesde comforts; and was congratulating my
self on the prospect of spending the night at
home, not thinking it likely any of my patients
would summon me, when an impatient double
knock at the street door put all my cozy antiei-
pations to flight. My good humor was, howev-
er, speedily restored by seeing my good friend,
Colonel Delaware, enter my library. He was
an especial favorite of mine and the world in
general, and most deservedy; brave and able
officer, often desperately wounded, he united to
a feeling and simple heart, a strong, clear un-
derstanding, handsome person, and a manly,
quiet manner; and paramount above all those
sterling qualities, integrity and honor, which add
the brightest lushe even to diadem, and can
make the lowest serf a gentleman Of Natures
own creating. He was man Of few words, and
generally undemonstrative but having known
him intimately for many years, instantly saw
that heavy cloud hung upon him, and as in
vited him to take an arm chair opposite to my
own, rather anxiously inquired if anything allied
little Cecil, alludlng to his only child, lovely
boy of two years old.
"No, he is well it is of his mother am
come to speak,"
"Mrs. Delaware !" l exclaimed. "Thanl
God, the evil can hardly be grave enough to
warrant the dependency | read in your counte
nance, for saw her in her carriage but two days
since; was not very close to her, certainly
but near enough to see she is as pretty as ever.
Nevertheless, my good friend, she is dying
rejoned Colonel Delaware.
"Dying good God! and we sit talking here
let us hasten to her instantly, and you can ex
plain the circumstances while we are on tn
road" hurriedly uttered, while preparing to in
vest myself in the overcoat that is ever the com
panon of my night rambles.
To my surprise, my vister stirred not, bu
mournfully shaking his head, said, Not so, m
dear doctor, you cannot see her tonight wheth
er we can manage for you ever to do so, knoy
not; for she now resolutely refuses to have an
advice, asserting that her malady Is beyond tn
reach of human skill"
"Pooh, nonsense and you suffer her to iniur
herself physically and morally, by giving way t
such caprices," said !, very Grossly, THROWN
down the coat, and planting myself in my ow
chair-for can be little testy when those i
whom am interested will not do as think the
, ought Softenng, however, as l looked NOR
closely into my friends face, added, AT leas
tell me all you can, Where is the seat of he
complaint ? how long has it been apparent an
what are its symptoms ?"
" can only tell you" he replied, " that abou
a month since, she began TO waste away, osin
, both appetite and strength, and also to a gret
degree the power of sleeping; she turns wit
great disgust from all sustenance, and it is wit
| the utmost difficulty she can be persuaded t
> swallow few spoonfuls of any kind in til
course OF the day. That pure color Won used
r admire, now only appears in sudden flushes sh
4 will not admit that she is ill, yet she has bee
7 frequently observed to shed tears over her bov
pressing him to her heart with almost convnlsi,
energy. Since was elected member of II
House of Commons, have had sleeping apar
d ment, fearing that the late hours am OBLIGED
9 keep might disturb Clara, whose constitnto
l. you have often told me, though not sckv is vel
d delicate. In the daytime she will scarcely suff
: me to remain five minutes away from her;
h that could not have come to Won n, any 9TH
r, time but this, when she believes me engaged
g the house. Above all things, she implores n
10 not to acqualntyou with her state"
H. "She is afraid, l shall cure, her, I suppose
y sald' this time to myself feeling little nettlc