Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-12-14
The Doctors Story.
A TALE OF CRUSHING SORROW.

ately choose our lot. Fate, Chance,
Circumstance, Providence-call it
what you will-choose for us, and we
quietly slip into grooves that seems
to have been channelled out for in the
times gone, and move onward. Free
will, Observation-Disclosures,
unalterable deStiny-well, we will
not stop to discuss these questions
now. They have vexed stronger
brains than yours or mine, and we
must be content to let them pass un-
solved.
Nevertheless, it is a mystery to me
how | have happened to spend two
thirds of long life in this little town
Of Altona-high up among the noun
tains; out of reach, until a compare
lively recent day, of railroads and tel
egraph poles; far removed from the
world Of culture, of books, of men
away from the whirl, the stir, the bus
tie, the eager, impulsive, engrossing
life that | should once have thought
was the only life worthy to be lived.
But-Marian had loved the quiet,
secluded spot; and when she left me,
after our one short year of welded
bliss, | simply stayed on, loath to
leave the hills, the woods, the streams,
the skies, that had been hallowed by
her presence. Not to spend my days
in vain repinings, or to fold my hands
in dreamy idleness, l led a thoughtful
yet busy life, and at length, as time
deadened the keenness Of my anguish,
and the turf thickened upon her grave,
a life that grew full and rich. A thou
sand close and endearing ties sprang
up-nay, grew up between me and
the plain, honest hearted people about
me. They brought me love, and |
gave them love in return. Life is not
niggardly Of her best gifts; she will
not turn us away empty handed, if we
come to her with arms Outstretched,
and let her choose for Us the benefac-
tioDs she is ready to bestow. But,
she seldom allows US to choose fer
ourselves. Is it that she is wiser than
than We, and knows our needs better
than We can know them?
Yet | felt that my life was greatly
enriched when the railroad was built,
and the quarries were opened, and
Dudley Randolph, with his fair wife
and three lovely children, came into
Altoona. 1t had long been known
that the old Randolph farm was rich
in marble. But if it held all the
wealth Of Carrara hidden in It's green
bosom, it would have availed little to
the owners, so long as there was no
mode Of transporting it from its noun
tain bed to the populous cities, where
the living and the dead alike awaited
its coming. With the laying of the
iron track, however, and the shrill
shrek OF the engine, there dawned a
new day for these hills and valleys.
Dudley Randolph, in the distant city
where he lived, heard family the dull
thunder OF the blast, the clinking of
the drills, the monotonous grating OF
the saws, and, closing up his mer-
camille business, he came back to the
old homestead, to see for himself if
gold were indeed hidden in the blocks
OF marble, just beneath the surface of
the pastures where his grandfather S
cows had grazed.
Right over yonder, between that
clump Of naples and the big elm, you
can see the gables of the house he
built-a house whose quiet, unpreten-
ding elegance did not put to shame
humber neighbors, nor exalt its own
pretensions at the expense of theirs.
1t seemed to grow out of the soil, and
to belong TO the scenery as truly as
did the surrounding hills, and the gi
ant boulderS that had been beaten uD.
on by the storms of centuries.
, | doubt if l can make you under
stand what that home, with its books
its pictures, its music, its flowers, its
atmosphere of refinement, became tC
, me. A quiet, commonplace country
doctor, | had almost forgotten how
much wealth, in the hands of taste
and culture, can add to the beauty of
living. Still less can | hope to tel
you in fitting words what strength
and JOY and companionship | found il
the society Of Dudley and Isabel Ran
dolph. With the exception of the
minister, | had been the only liberally
educated man in the little town, and
in more than one sense, l had beer
alone, until their coming opened tn
door of new life.
Not at once, however. My Ion!
seclusion from society had made m
}, somewhat shy and reserved. | dit
not seek them, neither did they seel
me. Little Ethel, the youngest child
was sick.
1t was case Of croup-its frs
lie visit to their family. For many hour
the child's life hung in the balance
: More than once my heart failed m
while fought Death single handed
But at last. when hope was we'll mig
" dead, sudden relief came.
&c "She will live" I said quietly
"The danger is over, Mrs. Randolph.
That night Of conflict and of watcI
ing brought US nearer together tha
years of ordinary intercourse Nigh
have done, and from that hour 1h
d, country doctor took his place in tn
N family as chosen friend, an ever we
6, come guest.
m 1t was a long time-so charme
II u was | with the peace, the purity, th
ed apparent blessedness, of that home
before | perceived that, after all,
had its skeleton. Perhaps | migl
not have perceived it even then, ha
| not been physician as well g
friend. Doctors grow keen sighte
I'd as they grow older. They learn,
rs they are men of clear insight, to di.
r. Germ spirit as well as matter, to rea
,D soul as well as body. | learned {
Z. last that Isabel Randolph, in spite
her beautiful home, her noble husban,
ii her lovely children, was not happ
he woman. The knowledge came to n
by slow degrees. Not through an
rs. confidence of hers; for she was nc
nd one of the weak women who are fo