Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1872-04-27
"DOCT0R JOHN"

"a doctors life is strange one ~
muttered DR.. John Hessman. IS he
Jumped into his carriage, taking the
reins from the hands of the grinning
Ethiopian who for the last twenty min
utes hal been cherishing the fond delu-
sion that he was to accompany his mas
ter on his round Of professional inquiry.
"Not this time, Ebony" said the doc.
tor, with good natured shrug of his
broad shoulders. You shall come to,
morrow" noting the look of disappont
ment in the boys face. Dr. John was
more tender of his servants than some
men of their wives.
mind y replied Ebony, like the average
human, quite forgetiul Of annoyance
when the subject of consideration was
distasteful 81 knows what It's. just
knows what it's" added Ebony, as he
watched the carriage out of sight.
"He's got one of his spells, and wants
to talk to hisself; l know him of old.
If twas any body but DR.. John, should
Just say. Ebony. that man has got
softeang of the SKULL but no such
nonsense can be laid 10 him.
DIR. John did want to be alone, or as
much alone as a man could be in the
streets of crowded city, and he did
want 10 talk to himself. Most m n who
are in the habit of communing with
their own souls, do it in audible Ian
guage so in this respect, whatever he
might be in others, DR.. John did not
differ from his brethren. A mans own
opinion is not unfrequently his best and
safest companion. 1t Will keep its
owners secrets. and when the cham
pionship is frequent, will in all cases
properly guide and admonish. Self,
communism in its highest form is the
:venuc which leads directly to the heart
fGold.
"Yes," continued the doctor yes,
SIR" sometimes DR.. John was very
respectful to himself) "A doctors life
is no joke. Easy, my beauty, easy !
Now, John, look at that horse. You are
only just little more of an animal
than he is. It's fun for him to travel
when there's another horse close by that
he can outrun. Exactly the case with
you, John. If it hadn't been for another
horse in the shape of a doctor you were
determined to get little the start of,
where would you have been to day =?
That's the point. Worthy ambition,
eh to pass poor devil on the road OF
life? Upon my word, | believe | should
be q better man if | had wife. !
rather like women; but it is a little
hard to understand how fellow mana
ges with a woman tied to him morning.
noon and night That's what takes en-
Then, | am not sure that anybody d
have me that was anyways suitable. OF
course, | should want intelligence, and
intellectually, TOO, by George and
never could endure a plain woman, or
a woman with loud voice, or-Yes,
sir, that question is in ORDER continued
the doctor, stroking his long, silky.
black beard. "That is what | call
driving the nail in. What have you got,
John Hessman, to give in exchange for
these royal treasues OF mind and body?
A good name-yes; an unexceptionable
position, unimpeachable integrity-yes.
Sir. These are something;' and here
our M. D. reined up before an elegant
brown-stone mansion, where one of his
best (pecuniarily speaking) and most
fashionable patients resided. Here DR..
John was employed by the year; and
although the position was no sinecure,
on account OF the amount of patience
required to battle with the nervous fan.
cies of the principal invalid of the
establishment, still DR.. John, to use hi,
own telling vernacular, considered it
"an exceedingly soft thing"-and soft
it was in more senses than one.
DR.. John walked right up into the
.valids chamber.
"Oh, good morning, doctor. A little
late, aren't you? Seems to me | have
been waiting an unusual length of
tlme," drawled the lady from her
luxurious couch. -.
'sAbout the usual hour" replied DR..
John, with no especial show of defer
ence. What seems to be the matter
this morning?"
Now, really, doctor, that is too
cruel. Matter this morning! Do YOU
remember what was the matter vester-
day? Please don't be so blunt. You
shock my nerves terribly"
Let me see,' said the doctor.
Yesterday, according to your own ad
mission, you were tagged out with a
fashionable party and late supper.
That, of course, cannot be the case to
day"
" know | should not have attempted
it in my weak state, doctor | know
just what you think of it," sighed the
fashionable woman from her downy
bed. "But then you men never will
understand what society demands of US
women. D ar Estelle (dear Estelle was
the invalid's daughter) had quite set her
heart on going to Mrs. Donk's recep-
ton. of course could not allow the
dear child to go unattended, and, bless
your heart, Dir. Hessman, the girls
father would not accompany her TO a
party if she fell dead in consequence.
Oh, lord, such time as | did have
about it, trying to induce Mr.. Waters to
escort her. | really believe that scene
had mole to do with my sutferines to-
day than the party had. Dear me, such
set man as Mr.. Waters is! | told him
says |, William this may result in my
death ? Says When woman
gets to be forty years old, and don't
know enough to take care of her own
health and the health OF her children.
it is time she died ); and then, doc or,
he lit his cigar and pulled out of the
house. l tell you this because | want
you TO know what has so unnerved me-,
In hRt l.