Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1872-12-20
Hliscellanp.
The Doctors Carriage.
BY JENNIE sELENA DAMMAsT.

As we walk along the streets we fire.
quently see plain, quiet-looking car
riage, with solitary occupant. driven
rapidly along; and as we glance at it
we say lnvoluntarily to ourselves, "a
doctors carriage" and sometimes the
mind goes back to times when we lay on
bed of suffering and longed for the
sound of the approaching wheels hop
ing we know not what from the doctors
visit; or still sadder times, when one
we loved was hanging in the scales-life
and death contending for the victory.
We can recall with what sickening anx-
! iety we then strained our ears to catch
the first sound of the coming vehicle
how our hearts stood still when weheard
4 it stop, and we feared the entrance of
him so eagerly looked for, dreading his
foreboding look, and dispiriting 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 in whom they are deeply interested.
For us the passing carriage Of doctor
always conjures up visions of the scenes
through which he passed, or may be
called upon to pass, in course Of his dai-
ly visits Let Us take one such day and
follow it's course. The coach-man has
received his list, SO the doctor has not
any directions to give, and throwing
| himself back on the cushions he takes
up a book and is soon lost in its pag es,
Suddenly the carriage stops at a large
house in fashionable quarter, and the
hall-door opens quickly as the doctor ap-
proaches it.
90 sir, master has been so impatient.
ly expecting you; he is much worse this
morning" says the servant, as he con-
ducts him up the wide staircase.
I" Is that you at last, doctor?" cries the
invalid, from his easy chair, where he
lies martyr to gout, brought on by hi;
own excesses. F" am sure thought you
never would come" 1t is my usual
hour" replied the doctor. "Are you
suffering so very much this morning 2?
"Suffering is no name for it--I am
wild-racked with tortue."
al trust you have not taken anything
l warned you against?' inquiries the
doctor.
took nothing except mutton cut
let yesterday, and a little salmon ant
soup"
Just SC" replies the doctor in a tone
of annoyance. " Salmon is most unf
for you, and soup also. l have repeated
ly told you that you would bring on {
bad attack if you indulge in them"
"Pray, doctor" sneers the invalid, 81
was by chance in the ha |, and met th
servant carrying the soup tureen inu
the dining-room, do you think the smel
of the soup would be injurious to me?
"I should not wonder" remarked tn
doctor, disregarding his tone, if you ha'
taken some port wine also"
"Of course l did," retorts the Gm
patient. "Who would care for walnut
without glass or two of port wine witt
a l,t,o 90 Lpnu2'
"Soup, salmon, walnuts, and por
wine!" cries the doctor aghast. 81 d
not wonder now that you are suffering
Do you know, sir, that you are playin
with your life ~ / cannot do anything
for you if you do not attend to my d
rections. .
Very good, doctor, very good, II
. deed. You wont frighten me, because
will not submit to be starved but Lear
not live upon air, l assure you.'
az do not go quite SO far as to requir
that" observed the doctor gravely. 81
is no laughing matter to triffe so wit
:. yourself Let me beg of you to act as
direct, if you do not l cannot be answer
able for the result"
81 am not baby" mutters the il
valid as the doctor takes his departur,
after having given some orders.
Again the carriage stops at a hou'
not far from that of the gouty patieu
This time lady is the patient vi lite,
She is reclining on a sofa in her dressinI
room. A bright hectic flush on hi
cheek, and the CLASSY glitter of her eye
show at once the nature of her complain
As the doctor enters she is recOverir
from a racking fit of coughing, and
looks on her with pity while she wip
the moisture from her brow.
81 fear you have taken cold, be r
marks, as he takes q chair beside he
"your cough is evidently worse"
Yes, am sure have. There vi
a great crowd at Mrs. Wyoming's la
night, and | stood for a considerab
'e time exposed to draught from the co
servatory, but could not escape fro
it. although felt it very much"
Tt was madness tor YOU to 60 cri