Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1870-03-24
HOW THE DOCTOR cor A WIFE.

Some years since professional engage
ments called me from the Atlantic States
to California, my duties pertaining to n
case of considerable importance. In the
course of my business peregrinations |
passed week or two at at Sacramento,
then town rapidly growing into note,
but not so largely-or densely populated
rs it is nov. Shortly after my arrival
there met at my hotel an old college
classmate whom had not seen for sew
eral years, and whom l should scarce
" have recognized. SO greatly was be
changed in personal appearance. He
had seen my game on the hotel register,
and remembering it, waited upon me
and introduced himself
was heartily glad to see him in the
faraway country, and we sat down to a
pleasant chat together over the events
of our lives, past and present.
l remembered that my college mate
had not been overburdened with means
in his carly days; and though he was
man of superior talents, the competition
in the business to which he devoted him.
self was altogether too great to permit
him 10 enjoy fair beginning ut home.
He had therefore relinquished his under
taking in the pretty town at the East,
where he had hoped to live and -four
isb, soon after graduating: with a few
hundred dollars only, l knew he had
started for San Francisco anda Market
rs he pleasantly termed his intended
destination for California. IS
l nowsobserved that he was expensive
" attired. wore costly jewels in his bos-
ON, drove handsome span before car
risge, and lived in good style in a suit of
the best apartments in the first hotel in
Sacramento. And so l continued:
you are practieing here-eh, doc
tor!' - -
Yes be said. sAnd let me tell you
how and why it is that | am doing so
well as you seem to have discovered
GO on, doctor. Is it romance?
mo, it was the result of an acciden
tai discovery, the merest trifie of circum.
stance which made my fortune. And
singularly enough, too. 1t viii interest
you, however.
Il have no doubt of it. Proceed
..'Well, l have fortunately solved very
simple but perplexiug mystery that fell
directly in my way, professionally. l
arrived in San Francisco with less than
two hundred dollars in my possession,
four years ago; and made up my mind
in a very brief space of time subsequent
ly that in the vocation of a 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. 1 applied myself with assid.
uity, but soon tired of San Francisco. and
came to this city, whereI hoped for bet
ter success.
l published a starting card in the only
paper then printed here. and took lodg.
ings at this same house, just completed
But patients were scarce, or shy Of the
new conner. However, an old Spanish
Mexican, who occupies an extensive ranch
Just out of the city, waited upon me and
informed me that his daughter was il
Mt his residence. He had tried all ply.
sicians, far and near-,Spanish, French
and American. None Of them did any
good. He had seen my card Would
l enter his carriage and ride out to SCI
herr
/ readily assented, of course. On ar
irving at oldg Robipo's hacienda, / wa
agrecably surprised to find a fine stou'
residence, ancient in style, but massiv'
in extent, and the interior was elegantly
furnished and decorated.
1 had acquired a smattering of Span
ISL years previously; andhayiug had oc
3 casion here to confer with the natives,
readily understood him when Senior Ro
bino informed that his only child, th'
daughter he spoke of. had been latterly
quite i'll, and had declined in health 70
n year; while moro recently she bac
fainting fits. which alarmed both tn
young lady and her opulent father. wh'
had sought in vain for medical aid, an'
was willing to pay roundly for any ser
vices could / relieve or restore her,