Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1870-10-22
DR.. Goodman's Patient.

I |
| DR.. Goodman's Patient.
| Mr.. Alfred Turner, the gifted orator
and aspiring lawyer of Wisdom6eld, was
fortunate man. AT college he carried of
the highest honors, although he was not a
hard student. Success attended him in
his profession as we'll as in love matters.
He had wooed and won the most charm
ing young lady in Wisdom6eld, and his
only child, girl Of six, was perfect
prodigy!
She could speak French and English,
could analyze flowers, bound every State
in the Union and give their capitals. She
knew the population of the great cities.
She was studying grammar and history.
Such wonderful child!
There was but one drawback to the fond
parents happiness, and that was, in spite
Of their care and pains, the little girl grew
more delicate each day, and seemed to be
vanishing into shadow.
The gossips of Wisdomfeld said the
child could not live. "No, she has too
much brains to live" and they shook their
heads sorrowfully.
Mr.. Turner determined to consult DR..
Goodman. This eccentric physician could
cure any durable disease indeed, so po.
tent was the mans influence, that his
named seemed to have power to frighten
away disease! His patients declaring
that they felt better the very moment that
he was sent for.
In answer to the fond parental sum-
mons, DR.. Goodman called and found his
patient languidly reading. He seemed
deeply impressed as he took the child
emaciated hand into his plump, brown
palm. Mrs. Turner said with proud
emphasis:
Doctor, our child is not like other
children"
Hump exclaimed the physician.
"She does not play with or care for
children, but talks of things far beyond
her years." continued the fond mother.
Hump! calculated DR.. Goodman, as
he brushed away tear with his coat
sleeve.
Mrs. Turner saw the action, and wild
terror seized her heart. Was her child
dying, that this strong man wept? The
startled father seized DR.. Goodman's arm,
and exclaimed wildly.
"Tell me, is there no hope for my
child ?"
DR.. Goodman wiped his eyes, blew his
nose, and put on his glasses as he said:
Hope yes, if you follow my advice" "
awe will do anything" said both pa
rents in one breath.
care you sure Of that ?" asked the &C.
centric physician.
"Sure! Would we not die for our dear
Belle ?"
DR.. Goodman smiled, seemed lost in
thought, and thus soliloquized:
eyes; they are killing her. The little
embryo woman will die just as my child
did-just as thousands Of other children
die; or perhaps she may linger through
life a helpless invalid. Will they listen to
me? I will make the effort, but may get
little thanks for my pains"
The parents gazed at the physician with
astonishment. DR.. Goodman turned to
them, and said:
"You manifest willingness to be guild
ed by my advice. I know Of no better
way of explaining myself than by telling
you the true story of blighted life. This
story is so fixed in my mind that l think
Of it every hour of my life. will sketch
it to you in the shape Of tableau."
"The curtain rises and discloses pretty
picture-a young father and mother, and
a dear little child. How happy they are |!
The father is teaching his wee girl to read.
See how his eyes fash as the infantile lips
pronounce the long words Admiring
friends exclaim !: What prodigyv"
"The curtain drops, only to rise again
on another picture. The little girl of four
years is now sixteen. Beautiful, budding;
bright sixteen! her form is slender; her
eyelids droop. She is talented. To-day
is her graduating day; her examination
was fanltless; she is crowned with the
laurel wreath Father aud mother are
there proudly looking on. They have
been rewarded for their toll and pains.
Yet they gaze anxiously on the form and
face of their daughter, and wish that she
had somewhat more body"
"The curtain again falls, and then rises
on the last scene. In luxurious home,
where wealth had contributed every adorn-
ment, lay the corpse of woman"
Only twenty three years have passed over
her head, yet the drawn, haggard face had
grown old with suffering. Death set his
seal on the brow Of the laurel-crowned
maiden. Good Christians crowded around
the bereaved parents with consoling words.
Oh, why was their daughter taken /? Their
only child, who had all that wealth could
give? Too much brain-too little strength,
What mattered it now that she once solved
the most difficult problems Of Euclid 7
That those pale lips and that icy tongue
had once spoken many languages! They
are silent now-happy, happy child! A
merciful God took her home"