Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1872-07-11
NV FIRST PATIENT.

ro,e Of the most lovely little villages
:. y. Valley of the Connecticut had I,
Nv Caldwell" newly hedgeo M. D.
,,nr cat as conspicuously as possible my
.n s;sa proclaiming to the inhabitants
M, any patronage that they might bestow
n,on me wouM be most gracefully receiy-
ed.
This vas the pssce of my nativity, and
uaLiu a circuit OK few miles had my
bo,aoOd and youth been passed. Devel-
oDiur early disposition for the profess
.iou Of medicine, my education bad been
tothat effect, and up to the time of the
b,sking out Of the war my life had been
u..t n CONSTANT study--yaried, of course,
:, 3, occasional firtation with some
d.msel. But the claricp sound of war
s.rtIed me from my lothargy. and bid
ding "adicu" to friends, neighbors and
cd Esculapius, I started with one of the
fr.i regiments for the field Of conflict.
But my separation from the last mem
toned gentleman was destined to be of
short continuance, for surgeons were
sarce, and humanity as we'll as the de-
sire for the knowle lge of this experience
would give me, beckoned Inc to the post,
and so during the whole campaign my
time was passed with the dead. wounded
and diving. ct the end Of the war, re-
turned to New York to complete my lee
lures aud receive my diploma; which
being done, spent another year as resi-
dent physician in one of our first hospitals ;
and now, with ripe experience and a
little prestige, 1 found myself tucked
away in this delightful valley. waiting for
ny first patient. >.
Good morning, sir. This is, L sup
pose, DR.. CaIdwell?p r and l, startled from
my reverie by the low voice at nay elbow
looking around to see a lady, not old, not
young, but fine looking. with an air OF
lesance which plainly bespoke her sta
ton in society. She had entered tho
room very quietly, and now stood gazing
into my face as if cndeavoring to fnd
there any index of my professional abi!-
ity.
Il am that gentleman, madam. Viii
you be seated 2" and offered her chair
aud seated myself beside her.
81 have come to you for radvice, doctor
salssshe, at the same time drawing off hel
delicate gloves, and displaying hands
white and tiny, while on the taper fingers
giistened diamonds aud opais rather too
much for good taste, / thought, but tha
was no affair of mine. So l, after having
from my general scrutiny. COME to tn,
conclusion that didn't like her face q
manners, dismissed all thoughts of i.,em
and attended to business she had ol
hand.
Il came to you doctor, because | hear,
mat y'u had considerable city expert
ence' and l really can't put any conf
denee, in these country clowns. an
boarding at---IIotel about two mile
IRON here, and
Is it for yourself, that you seek ad
vice" | inquired, noticing her momer
tary hesitation.
"Not at all, sir" she replied, laughin
heartily.
"Do l look like an invalid? 1 neve
w1 i'll day inmy life !" and the fine
well developed figure and general
neal'hy appearance gave pretty good evi
aence that she was speaking the truth. j
Is my daughter, sir, or rather mv hu,
oands daughter, for Il am uufortuua,
e"0ugh 70 DC step mother She has alway
Deen delicate. at least every since / kne,
yer. We brought her here this summe
~ ner particular request, instead of New
Port or Saratoga but she does not in
prove-that is to say.sbe thinks sh. elosa'
There may be some nervousness and hyl
.efn mixed up with i'll can hardly say
'ut you will probably und erstaud the cas-
when you have seen her.
~
of what docs she compIain?''
VI nothing in the world but lassitud
'He Is always tired, and does not have ii
east Inclination for the slightest mentl
~physical exertion."
No eOugb' no pulmonary difficulty
mo, not a Bit" was tie immedia
answer.
hss-sae suffered severe affection, |
ssa'a Or other causes?''
L0oe' yoa probably mean = and N
- '0f curled her lip little scornfull
W ald: "No, I believe her heart
snole and healthy but her father
WED almost into .spasms about b
~ ~ l Promised him to send > pbysici'
Vfy day. Sopleses come cut