Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1870-03-18
SELECTED STORY.
HOW THE DOCTOR GOT A WIFE.

Some years since professional engagements
called me from the Atlantic States to Cali
fornia, my duties pertaining to a case Of
considerable importance. In the course of
my business peregrinations [ passed a week
or two at Sacramento, then a town rapidly
growing into note, but not so largely or
densely populated as it is now Shortly
after my arrival there. I met at my hotel
an old classmate whom I had not seen for
several years, and whom [ should scarcely
have recognized. so greatly was he changed
in personal appearance. He had seen my
name on the hotel register, and remember
ing it, waited upon me and introduced him
l was heartily glad to see him in the far
away country, and we sat down to a pleas
ant chat together over the events Of our
lives, past and present.
1 remembered that my college mate had
not been overburdened with means in his
earlier days; and though he was a man of
superior talents, the competition in the bus
mess to which he devoted himself, was alto
gether too great to permit him to enjoy a
fair beginning at home. He had therefore
relinquished his undertaking in the pretty
town at the East, where had hoped to olive
and flourish" soon after graduating and
with a few hundred dollars only. | knew he
had started ''for San Francisco and a mark
et," as he pleasantly termed his intended
destination for California.
I now observed that he was extensively
attired, wore costly jewels in his bosom,
drove a handsome span before a fine carri-
age and lived in good style in a suite Of the
best apartments in the first hotel in Sacra-
mento. And so 1 continued.
"You are practicing here-eh, doctor p
EYES," he said. ''And let me tell you
how and why it is that I am doing so we'll
as you seem to have discovered"
$50 on, doctor. Is it a romance"
''No, it was the result of an accidental
discovery, the merest trife of circumstance
which made my fortune. And singularly
enough too. It will interest you however"
II have no doubt Of it. Proceed"
"Well, I have fortunately solved a very
simple but perplexing mystery that fell d.
rectly in my way, professionally. | arrived
in San Francisco with less than two hundred
dollars in my possession, four years ago
and l made up my mind in a very brief
space Of time subsequently that the vocation
Of u physician there was precious poor means
by which to amass money. Few people get
sick in this blessed climate. in the first
place and if they did, there were plenty of
cuppers and blisterers already here who stood
waiting to bleed both the patients and their
pockets to the last drop. Still there was an
occasional opportunity for practice. I ap-
piled myself with assiduity, but soon tired
Of San Francisco, and came to this city,
where I hoped for better success.
I published a staring card in the only
paper then printed here, and took lodgings
at this same house, just then completed
But patients were scarce, or shy of the new
conner. However, one day an old Spanish
Mexican, who occupies an extensive rancho
just out Of the city, waited upon me and,i in
formed me that his daughter was i'll at his
residence. HE had tried all physicians,
far and near-spanish, French and Ameri-
can. None Of them did any good. He had
seen my card Would I enter his carriage
and ride out to see her 2"
I readily assented of course On arriving
at old Rabino's hacienda, [ was ~agreeably
surprised to find o fine stone residence, an
Gent In style, but massive in extent, and
the interior was elegantly furnished and
decorated.
l had acquired a smattering Of Spanish
years previously ; and having had occasion
here to confer with the natives, l readily
understood him when Senior Rabino informed
me that his only child, the daughter he
spoke Of, had been latterly quite i'll. and had
declined in health for a year; while more
recently she had fainting fits, which alarmed
both the young lady and her opulent father,
who had sought in vain for medical aid, and
who was ready to pay roundly for any ser.
vices could [ relieve or restore her. And
the old Spaniard implored me patiently to
examine the case, and save his darling
Carlotta," if possible.
"And had you seen the young woman =
''Not yet, no. I made general enquiries
as to the health of the rest of the family and
found there vas in this case no apparent
hereditary difficulty. And finally l was
shown into the young lady's private apart
ment. By Jove. my friend, she was beau
tiful. You shall see her, by the way, anon
I will introduce you."
''Thank you," 1 said. .'Thep she still
lives|
"You shall see. Don't anticipate me-
said the doctor, briskly.