Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-03-20
A VISIT WITH THE DOCTOR.

GLOW are you to-day, Mrs. Carleton ~ asked
Dr. Farleigh, as he sat down by his patient, who
reclined languidly in large cushioned chair.
"Miserable," was the family spoken reply.
And the word was repeated
The doctor took of the lady's small
white hands, on which the network of veins,
most delicately traced, spread its blue lines
everywhere beneath the transparent skin. 1t
was a beautiful hard-a study for painter or
scuutor. 1t was a soft, flexible hand-soft,
flexible, and velvety to the touch, as the hand
of baby. for it was much a stranger to USE
ful work. The doctor laid his finger to the
wrist. Under the pressure he felt the pulse
beat slowly and evenly. He took out his
watch and counted the beats-seventy in a
minute. There was no fever nor any unusual
disturbance of the system. Calmly the heart
was doing its appointed work.
GLOW is your head, Mrs. Carleton ?''
The lady moved her head from side to side
two or three times.
"Anything out of the way there ?''
'My head is we'll enough, but feel so mis-
erable-sO weak. haven't the strength of
child. The least exertion exhausts me-"
And the lady shut her eyes, looking the pic
ture of 1eebleness.
..Have you taken the tonic, for which left
prescription yesterday 20
''Yes but | am no stronger
"liow is your appetite 20
Bad"
"IIave you taken the morning walk in the
garden that l suggested ?''
80 dear, no! Walk out in the garden
I'm faint by the time l get to the breakfast
room / can't live at this rate, doctor. What
am 1 to do? Can't you build me up in some
way2 I'm burden to myself and every
one else.'
And Mrs. Carleton really looked distressed.
'sYou ride out every day 2''
81 did until the Carriage was broken, and
that was nearly a week ago. 1t has been at
the carIiage-maker's ever since"
ssYOu must have the fresh air, Mrs. Garlic
ton,'' said the doctor, emphatically. ssFresh
air. change OF scene, and exercise, are inds-
pensable to your case. You will die if you
remain shut up after this fashion. Come,
take ride with me.'
doctor! how absurd - exclaimed Mrs.
Carleton, almost shocked at the suggestion.
Ride with You What would people think ?'
"a fig for peoples thoughts Get your
shawl and bonnet, and take drive with me.
What do you care for meddlesome peoples
thoughts Gomez"
The doctor knew his patient.
"But you are not in earnest, surely, doc
tor? ?'' There half-amused twinkle in
the lady's eyes.
'Never more in earnest. Pm going to see
apatient just ont of the city, and the drive
will be a charming one. Nothing would please
me better than to have your company"
There was vein of humor, and a spirit of
made her Independent, and almost hOydenish. |
Bnt fashionable associations, since her wom
an-life began, had toned her down into eX- |
cecding propriety. Fashion and convention |
aIlty, however, were losing their influence, |
since enfeebled health kept her feet back from |
the worlds gay places; and the doctors inyi- !
tation TO 4 ride found he sufficiently disen- |
thralled to see in it pleasing novelty.
"I've hall a mind to CO." she said, smiling. |
She had not smiled before since the doctor |
came in.
"I'll ring for your maid,'' and DR.. Far
lcigh's hand was on the bell-rope before Mrs. |
Carleton had space to think twice, and endan-
ger change of thought.
''l'm not sure that | am strong enough for
the etort,' said MrsCarleton, and she laid her
mead back upon the cushions in a feeble way.
'Trust me for that" replied the doctor.
The maid came in.
"Bring me shawl and my bonnet Alice |
ain going TO ride out with the DOCTOR" Very |
!anguldly was the sentence spoken.
"Im afraid, doctor, it will be too much for
me- You don't know how weak l am. The
very thought of such effort exhausts me.''
Not thought of the effort" replied DIR.
falegh. ''It isn't that
"What is it 90
GA thought of appearances-of what people
will say.:'
"Now, doctor >! you don't think me SO weak
IN that direction''
"Just so weak was the frees spoken an
s%er. ''You fashionable people are all afraid
i. each other. You haven't spark of indi-
h'uuaIty or true independence. No, not
spark! You are quite strong enough TO ride
Gu' IN your own elegant carriage-but with the
uoctor oh, dear, no. If you were certain
VI not meeting Mrs. McFlmsey, perhaps the
eAperlment might be adventured. But she is
Always out on fine days',
DocloE, for shamel How can you say that?'
"A ana ghost Of color crept into the face OF
us Carleton while her eyes grew brighter
t' loS' mashed. The maid came in with the
5na"I and bonnet. DIR. Farleigh, as we have
in". a..iIa'ed, understood his patient, and said
LISs con,s Two or three words more, in tone halt
Alald OF Mrs. McFlimsey ~
No' l! nor Of forty Mrs. McFlimseysi''
NJ vas not the ghost of color that warmed
nni", odrieton's s face now, but the crimson of
~ iSAer and stronger heart She actual
boA AoSe from her chair without reaching for
sbauId's niald's hand: and stood firmly while the
Wi"as adjusted and the bonnet strir gs tied.
doc,e snail have charming ride" said the
bla as he crowded in beside his iashiona-
rei,o uycompanion, and took up the loose
win lie noticed that she sat up erectly ,and
few scarcely sign of the languor that but a
"Issn nutes before had oppressed her.
exs;a oack when you see Mrs. M'Fimsey's
9tyse, and draw your veil closely. She'll
orearn that it's you"