The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1872-02-24
Srleet Storu.
THE SlBYL'S AUGURY.

~ ACcO hhaNt ObuuE III my
profession, settled 10 Greyburu. /
had spent my full term ut college, aud
had also given almost two years of my
tune 70 studying aud practicing in the
hospitals; and | am pleased to be able
60 state that very shortly after settling
in the aiore mentioned place, had as
much busieess as | cosld attend to-
In two or three cases of iearfully
threatening aspect, | had met with hap
py success; aud Il successful man peo.
pie are willing to trust. Then, again,
being fresh from the very best surgical
school in the world--the Academy of
Louis XIV. in Paris-I very quickly
aud emphatically made my mark upon
the public mind iu the result Of several
capital operations which had occasion
70 perform.
l had been almost year in Grey
burn, and had become SO we'll satisfied
with the people, aud they, ii turn, bad
given token Of being well satisfied with
me, that | fully concluded to regard ii
as my permanent abiding place.
1t was on clear, pleasant evening in
May, that | was visited by gentleman
from the neighboriug town of Boxbo.
rough. He had called during the day
10 my absence, aud had lett his card,
with word that he should remain iu
town until he could see me.
The card bore the aame of adam
Gregory, d. D., /" and [ knew him at
once for the principal ia the theological
seminary in the town mentioned
He was a middle aged, mild faced
gentleman, with one of those marked
organizations in which no amount OF
mental disturbance can overcome the
innate disposition to kinduess and
frankness.
Mr.. Gregory took a seat 10 my off oe
and regarded me attentively before he
introduced his business | knew very
well that he was measuring the outward
siges Of my fitness for his purpose.
Presently his hands were suffered to
rest one within the other, aud the haze
OF suspense So passed from his face
Then he told me his errand.
His daughter Cordela - his only
daughter-he feared was dying, She
had been falling for several weeks-he
might say for several months though
only lately he had been really alarmed
tie had called in the best medical skill
OF his town, but without avail.
Physiciaus who had seen her were of
opinioa that her disease was consump
oea, aud iucurable; but not Que OF
eaem had arrived ut satisfactory dag
aosis OF her case He had called upon
me. Would | come aud examine, and
pass my Judgement
l told him | would.
On the morrow | rode over to Box
borough, aud easily found Mr.. Gregg
rvs house. II was Que of the prettiest
aud most sensible looking dwellings in
the place.
L found the sick girl 10 her chamber,
dressed 10 loose morning robe of yio
let colored cashmere, aud reclining uIou
lounge.
ohe was nineteen years Of age, of
medium stature, and | thought at the
tiDe-as l think now-the fairest aud
most beautiful maiden had ever seen
l was interested, aud resolved that if
help lay within my power it should be
forthcoming.
She evidently read my feelings, for
she very soon evinced that my presence
was not disagreeable Q her. She told her
father that she did not care to to see
another physician, aud this had been
told to me, SO that was thus Induced
to approach her kindly aud gently.
| will not lrouble the reader with the
particulars of my examination. Suffice
1t to say that from the patient herself |
could gain nothing save that she was
growing weaker every day aud every
hosr.
AS tor consumption, not one Of the
marked symptoms was present. Her
lungs were sound and intact.
L spent an hour with her aud engag
ed her in constant conversation, aud
found thai she had no hope Of living
She was as one who had made up her
mind to droop aud die.
AS arose, ut the end Of the hour.
she said to me with faint smile:
What do you think, Doctor "