Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-03-20


| the smoothlybeaten road, and amid green
| fields and woodlands, gardens and hower-deck-
| ed orchards, the doctor bore his patient, hold
! ing her all the while in pleasant talk. How
different, this, from the listlesS, companion
! less drives taken by the lady in her own car
| riage-a kind OF easy, vibrating machine. that
| quickened the sluggish blood no more than a
cushioned rocking-chair. Closely the doctor
observed his patient. He saw how erectly she
continued to sit how the color deepened in
| her face, which actually seemed rounder and
| fuller, how the sense of enjoyment fairly
danced in her eyes. Returning to the city by
a different road, the doctor, after driving tbro'
streets entirely unfamiliar to his companion,
drew up his horse before a row of mean look
ing dwellings. and dropping the reins, threw
open the carrage-door and stepped upon the
pavement-at the same time reaching out his
hand to Mrs. Carleton. But she drew back,
saying
s.What is the meaning of this, doctor ?''
81 have patient here, and l want you to
see herr
| go no; excuse me, doctor. I've no taste
for such things" answered the lady.
f'Come-I can't leave you alone in the car
riage. Ned might take fancy to walk off
with you.''
Mrs. Carleton glanced at the patient old
horse whom the doctor was slandering, with
slightly alarmed manner.
"Don't you think he'll stand, doctor ?'' she
asked, uneasiy.
ssHe likes to get home like others of his
tribe. Gomez and the doctor held out his
hand in persistent way.
Mrs. Carleton locked at the poor tenements
before which the DOCTORS carriage had stop
ped, with something of disgust and something
of apprehension.
s'I can never go in there, doetor.''
ssWhy not ~
81 might take some disease.''
ssNever fear. More likely to find pana-
cea there.''
The last sentence was in an under-tone.
Mrs. Carleton left the carriage, and crossing
the pavement, entered one of the houses, and
passed up with the doctor to the second story.
To his light tap at a chamber door a womanS
voice said-ssCOme in.''
The door was pushed open, and the doctor
and Mrs. Carleton went in. The was
small and furnished in the humblest manner,
but the air was pure, and everything looked
clean and tidy. In chair, with pillow pres
sed in at her back for support sat pale, c.
maciated woman, whose large, bright eyes
looked up eagerly, and in kind Of hopeful
surprise, at so unexpected a visitor as the Ia
dy who came in with the doctor. On her lap
baby was sleeping, sweet and beautiful
baby as Mrs. Carleton had looked upon. The
first impulse of her true woman'S heart, had
she yielded to il, would have prompted her TO
take it in her arms and cover it with kisses.
The woman was too weak to rise from her
chair, but she asked Mrs. Carleton to be seat
ed, in a tone of ladylike self-possession that
did not escape the visitors observation.
ssHow did you pass the night, Mrs. Leslie r
asked the doctor.
"About as usual, )" was answered, in calm.
patient way ; and she even smiled as she spoke.
GLOW about that pain through your side
and shoulder ?''
ssIt may have been little easicr.'
"You slept 20
eyes, Sir.''
"What of the night Swcats 70
81 don't think they have diminished any."
The doctor bent his eyes to the floor, and
sat in silence for some time. The heart OF
Mrs. Carleton was opening toward the baby
and it was baby to make its way into any
heart. She had forgotten her own weakness
forgotten, in the presence of this wan and
wasted mother, with sleeping cherub on her
lap, all about her own invalid state.
81 will send you incidence said the doc
tor, looking up; then speaking to Mrs. Garlic
ton, he added
.Will you sit here until | visit two or three
patients in the block 90
sob, certainly and she reached out her
arms for the baby, and removed it so gently
from its mothers lap that its soft slumber was
not broken. When the doctor returned he no.
ticed that there had been tears in Mrs. Carrie
toms eyes. She was still holding the baby,
but now resigned the quiet sleeper to its mo-
ther, kissing /: sS she did so. He saw her look
with tender, meaning interest at the white,
patient face OF the sick woman, and heard her
say, as she spoke a word or two in parting
81 shall not forget you"
ssThat's sad case, DOCTOR" remarked the
lady, as she took her place In the carriage.
s.It is. But she is sweet and patient
EsI saw that, and it filled me with surprise.
She tells me that her husband died year ago.
eyes"
s'And that she has supported herself by
shirt-making."
eyes"
UBut that she has become too feeble for
work, and is dependant on younger sister, |
who earns q few dollars, weekly, at book |
aThe simple story, 1 believe,'' said the
doctor.
Mrs. Carleton was silent for most of the way |
home but thought was busy. She had seen
a phase of life that touched her deeply.
ssYou are better for this ride" remarked the |
doctor, as he handed her from the carriage
81 think so,' replied Mrs. Carleton.
ssThere has not been SO fine color on your |
face for months"
They had entered Mrs. Carleton's elegant !
residence, and were sitting in one of her lux
urious parlors.
ssShall | tell you why !'' added the doctor.
Mrs. Carleton bowed.
aYou have some healthy heart-beats."
She did not answer.
'sAnd pray you dear madam, let the strokes
90 n!'' continued DIR. Farleigh. ''Let your
mind become interested in some good work,
and your hands obey your thoughts, and you
will be healthy woman, in body and soul.
Your disease is mental inaction.''
Mrs. Carleton looked steadily at the doctor.
"You are in earnest" she said, in a calm,
firm way.