North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1865-05-24
Se(ett S torp,
The GOOD PHYSICIAN.
BY w. o, EATON.

alter coilegiate's education, and study
ing medicine .-;tA. ph-cc;;s'a.c e h:sii pute
IN an Atlantic city, DR.. Albert Herman
young, poor, modest, and sensitive, put uE
his sign, and was duly prepared to commence
medical practice Long before year of hi:
patient and painful waiting had elapsed, he
became disheartened, for he possessed none
of the rude boastfulness Of a charlatan and
the young physician had to contend with
great competition, unfrended, and without
capital, with which he could well have afford
ed to wait. ....-... .......4...
The wealthy preferred and could command
the services Of established and experienced
physicians and the few who came to DR..
Herman were poor, and some Of them so
poor that humanity made his aid to them
gratultous. 3, .........
Moreover he was morbdly sensitive in
regard to slight deficiency in his hearing,
contracted from severe cold, aud become
chronic; and this partial deafness he was
compelled to admit, when in the chamber Of
the sick, who were, therefore, obliged to
speak more loudly than they could withonr
| painful and unseenly effort. .......-.
Under these notifications, he consulted
with friend, who told him that if he would
succeed he must subdue his bashfulness, and
be rough in a rough world; and he was
obliged TO seek better fortune in the growing
West.
He adopted this counsel removed to
sTali town in the Western country, and now
from Shoe necessity, pushed his way int
practice. He was found skilllul, his repura-
ton grew up with this rising town, and a.
The age Of fihy he was rich man, with
fine estate, made elegant by his liberallty
aud fine taste groves, lawns, hills, streams,
shrHtery and flowers, ad0rnNg and divers.
Iymg ;he quiet aud healthy demesne, and
presenting cheerful views from the mansion
hey SUR unded.
lie had married early alter hi. arrival in
his town bat al The tine of which vt nov
Peak, he had been a wldowtr, and the loss
t his children had left him ch,ld!ess.
KIND to all, his department was yet shar
led by uIelanchply, Some attributed thu
10 the lohs Of his wife and cn'ldren; other,
;omanticaIly adding that he had been r.
marked for sad way at times; aud that 1t
might be owing to the loss Of some early love
or some other secret DISAPPOINTMENT and
really it might be the re@retful memory of
hnxr e. al L..
now live among, grown welded to this long
accustomed spot, where, under Providence,
he bad so long prospered. And religious and
charitable without ostentation, as he was,
Of disputes, aud generally beloved, the towns
people hardly knew whot to do wlthour
him.
One summer night, DR.. Herman was rous
ed from slumber by his man-servant. who
stated that q little boy wss below, who said
that his mother was suddenly taken i'll and
he feared she was dying. Hastily dressing
the physician descended and found the boy,
a child Of ten, sobbing in the hail.
On inquiry, he learned that the boys ia
ther, poor man named Frederick Lane, had
been long absent in the war, leaving wife
ard children at home. With her husbands
pay and her own efforts, Mrs. Lane had con
trived to exc out scanty subsistence for
herself and her little ones; but for several
weeks past her enfeebled health had rendered
her unable to work, and tdings had now
come that the soldier had been killed ia
late battle; and this shock, added to her
long privatons, worriments and sickness had
imperiIled the unfortunate womans life.
The story of such distress did not fall upon
cold ear and taking the boy by the hand,
the ply sician went with him to remote
part of the town, in an obscure abode, where
the poor family dwelt. -..-.a....... ,st.
On his entering, the suffering woman, ap
parently about thirty years ofage, was found
sitting up, thin and deathlys pale, her daugh-
ter, beautiful child of six years, bathing
her temples with water, her own Young face
wet with tears. ,.-.... ...t. a...-.~
The Invalid could scarcely speak at first.
but by the aid OF some rest storaIives which
the physician had brought. she recovered
sufficiently to converse with him, but in
feeble voice and broken sentences. ...
She was in rapid consunption, she thought
induced by hard work and prolonged anxiety
on account Of her husband. Since her sick
ness debt had stared her in the face; and
the hope which had kept complete despair at
bay, had been the thought that, as the term
of her husbands enlis tment was soon to ex-
pirc, his return would set matters right with
the creditors, and furnish her the protection
and support winch she and the children so
mncn needed. But yesterday she received
letter from comrade of Mr.. Lane, stating
thar he had fallen ia battle, and q, mortal
faintDess had seized upon her, while br~.d-