Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-04-14
The Doctors First Patient.

who court her, and the humiliation she
sometimes imposes as conditions Of success,
are rather oddly illustrated in the follow
ing history, which an old English phys
ician gave recently of his personal expert
ence ''long time ago."
Il had completed my studies, an1 tsken
my diploma, when found myself in the
great sea of London, with twenty pounds
in my pocket. took the lower part OF a
small house In an obscure street, at the back
of some gorgeous s9uare-and laid ou, ten
pounds in furniture, fixtures, and drugs, re-
serving the other ten pounds 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 bctter-nor the ncxt-and as the month
was coming to a close, / was determined
TO shut up shopand 60 as an assistant, when
a servant came in for shiIling's worth OF
the best magnesia and some smelling salts,
and took my card
"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 a hurry, my new
friend the livery servalt. He said his mis-
tress wished tc see me as soon as possible,
on something very pressing. l ssked hini
if | must go as | was. "Put on your
Sunday coat said he, "and 20 with me-
Il went with him 10 a great house in
Portman square, and was shown up stairs
into splendid drawing room. A middle
aged lady, ofmuch suavi;y and gracious
moss, soon entered, and apoogised to me-
but hoped from what her servant had said
of me, | should not be offended.
Il thought she little knew my feelings to
imagine l should beoifcnded at being sent
for and assured her l was most happy to
render any service in my power. She told
me she had favorite parrot that had bro
ken its leg and she had asked the doctor
who attended herto help set it, and he had
felt himself insulted at being thought a
bird doctor. She said she had no inten-
ton to insult him, and only wished for in
formation what to do. She told me if
would set her birds leg, and charge hei
the same as for setting hcrown, wereit bro
ken, she would be most happy to employ
me. ! Thought the terms proposed too lib
cral, but she insisted on no less, and | con
sentcd.
"Some slips Of whalebonc and a little
tape enabled us to set the creatures leg
and | attended my first patient with an as
siduity and carefulness which have no
surpassed. A 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 hel
what she had bid me-the usual sum fol
setting such lady's leg. | trembled wher
l gave it to her.-lt was ten guineas.-
She thanked me, and presented me witt
twenty-saying that the other ten were fol
modesty, civility, and kindness.
"She then remarked, that she had an op
portunity Of making my acquaintance anc
esteeming my abilities, and if agreeable tt
me, she would engage me as her family
ply sician, for her former doctor had hac
many hundred pounds from her, and nigh
have shown little kindness to her bird
but as lie had made his fortune, he could
do withouther patronage, and she prefer
red to gave 1t where 1t was appreciated
and where 1t was serviceable.
"a blushed, and unhesitatingly informed
her that my residence and position were no
equal TO the station she was going to pu
me in. She told me all that would be bet
tered, and she saw that | was deserving o
it. She bade me look out for a betterres
idence, and promised ne she would hell
me to the necessary furniture and fittings
She told me the amount for medical atten
dance on herself and her household wa.
never less than eighty or hundred pound
year, and thatshe could secure severa
families.
Il took house-she did all she promis
ed, and laid the sure foundation for my fu
turc prospects. She was my constan
friend uutil she died, and left me something
handsome in her will. 1 have retired fron
business, and my fortune all arose frou
setting that poor parrots leg.