Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1853-02-17
A City Sketch.

close daily in our midst-every one of
them deeply affecting to some of the spec
tators. The following sketch is from the
Esc~Iapsan, a new monthly magazine
published in New York. 1t is entitled
" Sketch from the Everyday Expert
ence of Young Doctor
I had just finished tea, and was quietly
seated in my office before greateful fire
that glowed as if to promise me an even
ing of uninterrupted comforl, when the
bell rang with peculiar jerk which
seems to belong in a special degree to
doctors bells, and send thrill through
my frame, as though it were the summons
into some dread abode of misery, as had
been so frequently the case of late.
The door was opened, and in stepped a
thin, pale-faced girl, about sixteen years
old, wearing aw-bonnet, and with
no other outer garment than common
blanket shawl drawn close about her
shoulders. She was dripping wet, not
withstanding the protection of an old
umbrella which she held in her hand, for
it was raining most piteously.
invited her to come near the fire, and
at the same time to tell me the object of
her visit. Her first accent revealed,
though slightly, an Irish descent, as she
timidly, yet deliberately, told me that she
had come to see if would 60 with her
to prescribe for her mother, who was
very bad with the dropsy, and there was
danger that she would not live through
the night.
Inquired why she had not called ear
lier, if her mother was so dangerously
i'll, upon which she told me that she had
been to see the doctor who had attended
her mother for some time; and as he lived
some ways up town, it had taken all her
time after work, without waiting even to
eat her supper.
But why does not your attending
physician 60 to see your mother to night
I asked. He tells me that he can do
her no more good, without an operation,
for which he should charge ten dollars;
and this is more money than l have been
able to save from my earnings
'How long has be attended your moth
err about six weeks' do you owe
him anything for services now?' NO, sir;
he has been paid dollar at each visit.
How often has he called!' Twice a
week. Have you no means but what
earn?' No, sir, my father has been long
dead and since mothers sickness / have
had to support the family
How many are there of you! -Four
sir; my mother that is sick, young sis
ter, and little brother
! what do you do to support so many!
Il bind hats, sir at place in Pear
street. 'How much can you earn q week?
when can work all the time, ] car
earn four dollars and half
! Can you make two dollars and halt
defray your weekly expenses, after pay
ing the doctorl' by pinching | can, as
we have but one room, for which we pay
fifty cents a week, and that gives US two
dollars to buy food with
! I had made the above inquiries rapid.
ly, and they were answered without hesi-
tation, evidently with sense of obliga-
ton that might know the truth. When
l had ceased 30 interrogate her, she
looked up full in my face and said, 'Now
doctor, I have just five dollars which
can pay you for your services, and will
pay as much more as you will charge, as
fast as can earn it, if you will go to-
night and do what you can for my poor
mother; for I am afraid if she is not help
ed she may die before morning
where do you live!' inquil ed. al
No.-Stone street, in an old building
near the middle Of the block out o.
Whitehall
Il will come down directly. DO you
think you can find the place! 1t is very
dark tonight, and the street is not light
ed
Il assured her that | could find my