The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1854-08-02
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nYPOCNONDRIACISM:
A NOVEL CURE FOR IT.

By X. ". CARLETON,

"Good morning, friend Carter, how
is your wife, this morning?"
Bad as ever. | am most discour
aged, assure yon."
Do you still have physican?"
les, but he can do nothing for her."
But what does he say?"
"lle says that it is the most awk.
ward case ofhypochondracism h,s ever
met with. am completely worn out.
She insists that she is going to die to-.
day, and bcsought me in the most
piteous accents TO remain with her, but
have neglected my business too much
lately, and can no longer indulge her
with my presence, which only makes
her appear worse"
y hard case indeed, particularly
for you, but what do you intend to du?'
Do! can't imagine what, friend
Bush, unless | become insane and take
refuge in mad house"
" Do not dcspai'; such cases arc by
no means hopeless"
have done with hope"
am no physician, Carter, but
have plan i'll my head which
lh'nk cannot fall to cure hcr.''
Out with it, at once. | am ready
10 gruspa straw if it points out lh,.
slightest hope"
Have you good SHARP :.xc?"
" believe so.''
If you have not, purchase ole by
al! means When You return at noon.
say rs little as possible TO her, but
proceed deliberately to cut down the
hcd<trad upon which she lays"
did not think you would make
my aillictions subject Of n.irth.''
| never was more serious in nv
lite. DO this, and leave the rest with
me; but if you do not agree to it, |
wash my hands of the matter"
Since you are serious will agree
to anything, however ridiculous"
1t is a bargain, lhen!'
1t is"
he friends parted. Carter pro
ceeded to his store, while Bush hast.
cncd to the residence of his friend
As he was all intimate acquaintance
nc was ut once admitted. He sent
word to the invalid that he had some.
thlnS OF the utmost importance to
communicate to her, and must see
her without delay.
Such message reused the curiosity
OF the dying woman, as she termed
herself, and she consented to see him.
The nurse had evidently got her cue.
tor she ma !c an excuse for leaving
him, and at once proceeded down
stairs.
Good morning, Mrs. Carter, how
do YOU tccl!"
am dying" she said, family.
Then | will not disturb you" l1c
mo cd towards the door us if about
to leave the room
DO not leave me, Mr.. Bush. to
die alone; besides, YOU gave me
to understand YOU had something
important to say TO me-"
True! bat it is an unpleasant task
to he the messenger of evil tidines."
Evil 'idings! What do you mean,
Mr.. Bush?"
"To distress feeble, fond wife
with the irregularities Of her husband
Is most rep"gnant to my feelings. ]
wish | had not come"
"Speak," said Mrs. Carter, propinr
her head with an additional pillow,
let me know all"
When your husband left YOU this
morning, where did he tell YOU he
was going?"
10 his store, Of course. Where
should he go!''
injured woman-hc deceived you;
for he called at the house of the young
Widow Smith, where he is a constant
visitor"
: "lou amaze me, Mr.. Bush |" The
invalid had hastily thrust shawl
about her and was fairly sitting up
lake care not to excite yourself,
my dear madam. will not shock
your feelings any further. Twas abou'
to say,-bnt | cannot, dare not do i,.''
" Proceed-tcll me anything rather
than allow mo 10 remain in this cruc
suspense. Conceal nothing, as yoa
value my friendship"
81 believe you an injured woman
and | will frankly tell you all, al
though it will surely cost me Carter.
friendship. lie is actually engaged
TO her. They will bo married som,
six months after your death, whicl
they have calculated will soon oCc,Ir.
| s" The monster!--but ] win ball
him. and that smooth faced youn,
Ipiaoyy t,, tnil 40 ~, Il ~, !. - a. q.