Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1870-07-13
HOW THE DOCTOR GOT A WIFE.

Some years since, professional engage
ments called me from the Atlantic States tC
California, my duties pertaining to case
Of considerable importance. In the course
Of my business peregrination. [ passed a
week or two at Sacramento, then a town
rapidly growing into note, but not so large
i or denscly populated as it is now Short
!y after my arrival there | met at my hotel
40 old classmate, and whom should scarce
y have recognized, SO greatly was he chang
ell in personal appearance, He had seen
my name on the hotel register, and remem-
beriug it, waited upon me and introduced
himself
was heartily glad to see him in the far
away country, and we sat down to pleas
ant chat together, over the events of our
lives, past and present.
| remembered that my college mate had
not been overburdcned with means in his
earlier days; and, though he was man of
superior talents, the competition in the
business to which he devoted himself was
altogether too great to permit him to enjoy
fair beginning at home. He had, there
fore, relenquished his undertaking in the
pretty town at the East, where he had
hoped to live and flourish" soon after
graduating; and with a few hundred dol
lars only, l knew he started ''for San Fran
cisco and market" as he pleasantly
termed his intended destination for Cali
tornia.
lnoW observed that he was e1pensively
attIrcl, wore costly jewels in his bosom,
drove handsome span before a fine car
rage, and lived in good style in a suite OF
the best apartments in the first hotel in
Sacramento. And 30 | continued:
You are practising here-eh, doctor ?"
Yes, he said And let me tell you
how and why it is that l am doing so well
as You seem to have discovered.
Go on, Doctor. Is it a romance p
Ne, 1t was the result of an accidental
discovery, the merest trife of circumstance,
which made my fortune. And singularly
enough, too. 1t will interest you howev-
er."
i have no doubt of it. Proceed"
NelI, l have fortunately solved a very
simple but perple1ins mystery that fell di-
Eeetly IN my way, professionally. l arrived
IN Nan Francisco with less than two hun
d'el dollars in my possession, four years
ago and | made up my mind in a very
L-Ier E4 e,,l. thai tho
vocation of physician there was precious
poor means by which to amass money. Few
people get sick in this blessed climate, in
the hrst place and if they did, there were
plenty Of cuppers and blisters already there,
Who stood waiting to bleed both the pa
tlents and their pockets to the last drop.
CHI there was an occasional opportunity
lor practice. Iapplied myself with assidu-
i'Y, but soon tired of San Francisco, and
came. to this city, where | hoped for
better success.
/ published a staring card in the only
paper printed here, and took lodgings at
this same house, Just then completed. But
Patents were scarce, or shy of the new com
er. However, an old Spanish Mexican,
who occupies an extensive rancho just out
oi the city, waited upon me and informed
me that his daughter was i'll at his resi-
oence He had tried all physicians far
and near-Spanish, French and American.
Nome of them did any good. He had seen
my card. Would l enter his carriage,
and ride out to see her ~
'lreadily assented, of course. On ar