The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1871-10-19
HOW I WAS MARRIED IN
SPITE OF MYSELF. -.,3

/ was young surgeon, just from
college, and walking the hospitals
when got my first practice in the
little country town of Rye. Doctor
Thompson, of the place, was an old
friend of my fathers, and it was az
ranged that should assist him with
an ultimate view to the whole prac-
tice. 1t was a good lookout for a
young man just beginning life. Above
all, as my friends vehemently proph-
esled, Thompson can't possibly live
another ten years you know" So
with many pleasant dreams about
dead mems shoes, and other cheerful
subjects, I moved myself and my
goods and ehattels to Rye
arrived at Rye in the early part of
May. 1t was settled that for the first,
I should live at Doctor Thompson's,
whom found to be CHEEKY old fel.
low, and his wife a most kind, moth
erly soul. They had no children, and
the household was quiet and well-or-
dered. The practice, too, was very
good. s5i-. 5 ls-TsE}
The town had amongst its great
people Mr.. William CroThurst. His
wife. Mrs. Crowhurst, was the gran
dee of the place, and, by good for
tune, their two little girls were my
first patients, being conveniently
seized with mild touch of measles
soon after my arrival, and when the
Doctor happened to be laid up with
lumbago. This of course, gave me a
good start, and was the best intro
duction l could wish to the other
swells of the town, such as the cler-
gyman and his wife. Mr.. and Mrs.
Perkins, who had seven children, of
whom one or the other was always
ailing, Mr.. Gordon, the lawyer, who
had also wife and two grown-up
daughters, and many others.
It is true there was rival doctor in
the place-there always rival medical
men IN small towns-but then he
hadn't even a stray dog to experiment
talize upon, as Thompson chucklingly
told me. Mr.. Snares was his unlucky
name. AS, however, can only men
ton one or two of these people again
in my story, / will not weary you
with q lot of dyamatis persona, who
will never be accounted for; else
the postmaster, chemist, dissenting
minister, schoolmaster, and others,
are all well worth being described,
each in his or her own peculiar way.
About three weeks after my arrival,
Thompson showed me a note from
Mrs. Gordon. saying that her daugh-
ter had q bad cough - would one
of us come up to her ,.-1-r.l
"Now, Mr.. eGwynne, said the doc
tor, there's a chance for distinguishing
yourself. Lawyer Gordon is smart
man, and making no end of money.
Mrs. Gordon is great one for being
on the sick list. Unfortunately, she
doesn't like me, because she suspected
me once of sending her bread-pills
and water-mixture when her imagin-
ary, illness drove me beyond bounds,
30 that lean and hungry Snares was
called in; but he injured his cause by
persisting to remain for lunch, which
Mrs. Gordon thought very ryimpertinent
ON first acquaintance, and so it was.
Now, my firm belief is that this cough |
is more than half to decide if you will
do, or if she must send to New Y ork |
for DIR. Sims, which will, of course.
cost her great deal more. They are |
good patients--too good to lose; so |
go and do your best for US. On no
account be sparing of grave shakes of
the head, and plenty of medicine
though it may be as innocent as you
ike, provided it be judiciously nasty"
''All right, sir" was my reply, "I'll
go up at once.a of 14 ssla...ag
And, as I spoke, I rose up from my
seat, and proceeded up stairs to put on
4 clean collar and better tie, trying
10 think I wasn't bit nervous. But
was, for when L was a young man
[ was very nervous, and never could,
20 save my life. give repartee answer
or get out of mess neatly.
"Come, come, Gwynne, make haste,'
1t last sounded from below.
/ ran down to obey the doctors |
,all and soon after proceeded up the
town to, Mrs. Gordon's. After l had |
with that lady for a few
is to say she talked and
[ .listened-she ushered me into a
room to see my patient.
:, y eve are quite anxious about dear
Hetty." she said 'sho's had 8 bad
cough for some time past, and our
home remedies seem to be of no avail"
Two girls rose as l entered, and re-
turned my very nervous bow. l saw
that one was tall and graceful, with J
mass Of black hair rlooselydrawh from
off her face, large, soft, black eyes, .
clear complexion, and regular fea-
Iures--a grand beauty, l Thought.
Tho other was different, evidently two |