Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-10-16
The Doctors Carriage.


As we walk along the streets we frequently |
see plain, quiet.looking carriage, with SOL
tary occupant, driven rapidly along and u
VIC glance at it we say involuutarily to our
selves, "a doctors carriage aud sometime
the mind goes back to times when we lay on
bed Of suffering aud longel for the sound OF
the approaching wheels, hoping We knew not
what from the doctors visit; or still sadder |
times, when one we loved was hanging in tn,
scales-ile aud death contendiDg for the vic
tory. We can recall with what sickening anx-
icty we then strained our ears to catch the |
FIRST sound of the coming vehicle how our
hearts stood still whea we heard it stop, and
We feared the entrance of him so eagerly look
ed for, dreading his ioreboding look aud dis
pirited reply to our anguished inquiries.
There are few so happy as to be unable to
bring back such memories, either in their own
immediate circle, or in the homes Of those ir-
whom they are deeply interested. For US the
passing carriage Of doctor always conjures
up visions Of the scenes through which he has
passed or may be called upon to pass, III the
course Of his daily visits. Let us take one
such day and follow its course. The coach
man has received bis list, so the doctor has
not any directions to give, and throwing him
self back on the cushions he takes up a book
and is soon lost it its pages. Suddenly the
carriage stops at large house in fashion
able quarter, aud the hal-door opens quickly
as the doctor approaches 1t.
90 sir, master has been so impatiently ex.
pecting you he his much worse this morning,
says the servant, as he conducts him up the
wide staircase.
Z" Is that you at last, doctor2n cries the in.
valid, from his easy chair where he lies "A
martyr to govt, brought on by his own ex-
cesses 81 am sure thought you never would
come.n
" 1t is my usual hour" replied the doctor.
Are you suffering 50 very much this morn
ing2"
Suffering is no name for it, am Wild
racked with torture"
" | trust you have not taken anything
warned you against ?" inquiries the doctor.
" | took nothing except mutton outlet
yesterday, and little salmon and soup"
Just So" replies the doctor in tone o.
annoyance. Salmon is most unfit for you
and soup also. have repeatedly told yot
that you would bring on bad attack if you
INDUCED in them"
Pray, DOCTOR" sneers the invalid, if
was by chance in the hall, and met the serv-
ant carrying the soup tureeD into the dining
room, do you think the smell of the soup
would be injurious to me ?"
| should not wonder" remarked the doc
TOR, disregardiug his tone, "if you had taken
some port wine also"
"0f course l did," retorts the Gm) pa
tient. "Who would care for wanuts without
glass or two of port wine with them
should like to know ?"
Soup, salmon, walnuts, and port wine %
cries the doctor aghast. do not wonder now
that you are suffering. DO you know, sir,
that you are playing with your ife2 can
not do anything for you if you do not attend
to my directions
Very good, doctor, very good, indeed.
You won't Brighten me, because will not sub
nit to be starved; but cannot live upon
air, | assure you"
" | do not 90 quite SO far as to require
that" observed the doctor grayely alt is
no laughing matter to trihe SO with yourself
Let me beg Of you to act MS direct if you
do not | cannot be answerabe for the result.
am not baby" mutters the invalid, nj
the doctor takes his departure, after having
given some orders.
Again the carriage stops at house not ia
from that Of the equity patient. This time
lady is the patient visited She is reclinin,
on sofa in her dressing-room. A brigh
hectic flush on her cheek and the CLASSY gilt
ter Of her eyes, show at once the nature o
her complaint As the doctor enters she i
recovering from racking fit Of coughing, AM
he looks on her with pity while she wipes tn
moisture from her brow.
" | fear you have taken cold" he remarks
as he takes chair beside her your coug
is evidently worse"
YES, am sure l have. There was
great crowd at Mrs Wyoming's last night
and ! stood for a considerable time expose,
to draught from the conservatory, but
could not escape from it, although | felt
very much"
" 1t was madness for you TO 60" cries tn
doctor. You must not leave your ROOF
again until think it safe. Keep quietly o
the sofa until you 60 to bed"
" But cannot DOCTOR have particula
engagement tonight, one that | would nc
give up Tor the world.
"Do you mean to say that you intend &C
ing out Tonight inquiries the doctor in rea
alarm DO not think of it, beg of you
you do not know the danger"
"O Oh, just this one night cannot do me an
harm and | will be very careful, and nurs
myself as much as you like afterwards,
cries the lady gayly.
Afterwards may be too late. implor
Of you avoid all excitement, and remain a
home. | do not wish to alarm you. but it
absolutely necessary that you should do as
advise"
"What eroaker the doctor is" remark
the lady as the door closes behind him. "ElsC
let the see my dress do not quite like tn
trimming, aud wish you to alter it"
The doctor does not read any more unit
he reaches the next house he is TO visit
pale face appears for a moment at the viii
dow, and as the doctor enters the house,
lady in terrible state Of agitation draws biz
into the drawing-room, eyclaiming
40, doctor. it is awful--awful; he gel
worse almost every hour"
"Stay here while | 60 up TO him." III
doctor says compassonatey.
cratons meet his ear, and the sounds
struggling are heard.
drink, drink--accursed drink" mute
the doctor, as be enters spacious bedroom
where strapped down on the bed, and car
fully guarded by two men, fine, athet
young man is raging aud struggling in an 4
tack Of delirium uemens.
Help, help" he cries as the doctor a
pears. "WiIl no one help met See, thu
are closing round me again, their fiery ey
are fixed on me. Drive them away, tn,
are tearing me with their claws. Oh sa'
me !" and with wild yell be breaks loo
from restraint and filings himself upon Il
floor; a convulsive shudder passes over b
frame aud all is still
Lift him" says the doctor, in a low vol
as he removes his fingers from the your
msn's wrist. I" 1t is all over"
Yes, all over The inanimate clay
laid on the bed, and the awe-stricken a
IA, =. Al