Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1863-07-14
My GrandmOther's story about
her Doctor.
THE HERO OF 1912.

!
preston of inviting Welcome. The case
ments, shielded by heavy folds of crimson
jamask, seemed to bid defiance to the
gentle uoonbeams stealing through them.
My piano was open, and numerous songs
lay spread about, for had been looking
for a song to bring happiness, but found it
not; my guitar was thrown upon chair,
and its sweet tones had also been tried in
vain; music was depressing, my needle un-
availiug. In the library adjoining there
were costly books on science, history and
fiction, affording both Instruction and
amusement, so as a last resort, took one
and commenced reading, but that effort
was unsuccessful, whilo he was an actor
| In those far off scenes that were transpir-
ing before my mental vision. ..
sat there lonely and sad, looking out
upon the unseen vista of the future, and
gazing back upon the dim arena of the
past; before me was the unknown, behind
that which had been revealed; but Oh |!
what terrible revelatiOn-wbat multi
tudes have been cnt down by this releDt-
less fratricidal war-how many family
circles have been broken, how many voices
have been hushed, bright eyes closed, and
light and springiDg footsteps sileDced. We
have given up our loved ones, hard as it
was, and they have not only left all the
pleasant associations that cluster around
their beloved homes, but how many thou
sands-during the past year-have laid
down their lives, whose hearts blood has
watere1, and whose bones now bleach on
southern soil, we see mourning all over
the land, for the fall of gallant ones, and
how many scalding tears have been shed
over the premature death Of the loved.
was so uneasy and grandmother no
ticed it, and broke the silence by asking
me if had had letter that eve from my
Doctor" replied that had, ard it was
that which gave rice to my uDeasiness; for
he had written so feelingly of the terrible
suffering be was daily called upon to wit
ness, that my patriotism sank within me.
s1d heartily wished him away from such
awful scenes. My grandmother cautious
! ly reproved me, telling me lie was doing a
great deal of good and earning a world
wide reputation, and. to quell my rising
feelings. said she would tell me true story
| about "her Doctor" the Hero of 1872.
loved to listen to my grandmother's stor-
les, and as it was to be about a doctor, felt
peculiarly Interested; so seating myself on
an ottoman beside her easy chair, and afA
ter sjusting spectacles and laying aside her
knitting she began:-
Your grandfather owned a'large and
beautiful farm just in the surburbs of the
city of Nj, and when we were married
be took me to that pleasant hume; even
now, can look back with pride on those
happy Gays spent in that old mansion with
! its green lawn and double row of will
lows interlockiog each other. Our home,
Willow Glen" as it was called, was the
fsvorite retreat of many of my friends
from the city; aud among olhers none were
more truly welcome than cur coed family
! physician, DIR. Wilson West. He bad a
noble mind, rightly Disciplined by study.
and refined by the society in which be had
always moved; he was fond of poetry, mu-
ETC. painting and statuary, and his taste
for these bad been cultivated. He was q
man of sparkling intellect, and courteous
winning manners, and very popular in bis
profession; his real presence in the sick
chamber, with his smiling face, beaming
eye and manner so cheerful, was enough
to put new life into the sick one. He ex-
celled all others in the city in surgery, and
was sent for from far and near to perform
operations.
Your grandfather used to laugh at me
if praised the doctor, for he said ! never
could say enough in his favor.
"Why, grandmother. he was better than
the physicians of the present day, was be
not?"
"To be sure, he had been to Europe, and
was well>read in difficult cases, be studied
them before closing, be attended to his
own business and let other people alone;
in fact be was just such doctor as we
need at the present time"
well. grandmother, think We have
some such even now"
They are very few nowadays; when
the young sprigs get the title of IN. D."
pre6xed to their names, that is all the re-
quisite required Of them, they'll attend
upon places Of amusement, smoke cigars
and talk politics, while their poor patients.
left to natures care, often get well sooner
without them than with them"
sc audmother, was your doctor never
married."
"No, my child, be was one of the warm
est hearted, mcst eccentric old bachelors
that ever lived. When bis first love dice,
new, strange grief befell him; there was
q shadow on his brow, that had never been
so deep before, for be loved her almost
wildly, blindly. With his high forehead,
| large black eyes, clear complexion and
fine full figure, well did he know that be
was quite favorite among the ladies, still
be had not found one who exactly realized
the idea, he had formed. When asked
why he did not marry, be would say there
are so many real fiirts, who seem to delight
in trihing with the affections, would make
| you feel almost certain Of their love, when
they are only testing their powers Of pleas
ing, that am afraid shall never find a
lady who will attain to my exalted ideas
of true worth and refinement, true woman
hood, for have old fashioned and eccen-
trio views of woman's sphere, accomplish
ments and duties.
upon the declaration of war in 1872,
| President Madison called out $4,000 VOL
unteers and 100 600 militia, they had not
good officers. and their military establish
ments were extremely defective. Neither
! of the armies had obtained any decisive
advantage, and though there were thou
sands of lives lost, sacrificed on freedoms
altar, nothing of Importance was achieved
| During the campaign, when an attack had
been made upon Washington, all its pub
| lie buildings, burned, so macy Of our gal
liant men killed and wounded. and the loud
| call for surgeons 10 the army, that DIR.
West felt it to be bis duty to GO; be vas
then in the prime of life, with no family
ties to sever. After pondering upon the
subject for awhile, be firmly resolved to
leave his lucrative situation, and offer his
services to his country. Accordingly be
enlisted as q surgeon of one of the regi-
ments, but was soon promoted to higher
post, surgeon Of brigade under Gen.
WiDder, between whom there existed the
warmast affection; be soon gained the love
of all the men for be lRbored aEsiduously
for their welfare. At the battle Of Blsd-
enburg when the contest became unequsl,
the enemy outfsnking our men so they
were Obliged to retreat, DR.. West still re-
NAMED upon the battle field, attending to
the wounded and diving bore ha xuas ~ b an