The weekly Shasta courier., 1873-03-08

est patients, auQ ne was away from nome.
The occasion was urgent and DIR. Minturn
was called. 1t was case of fever, which
the older physician had been attending, and
he pronounced his patient fully convalescent.
A relapse, however, accompanied with un-
expected symtoms, had alarmed her friends,
and they had speedily gathered around her
from far and near.
When DIR. Minturn first entered the sick
room, he started, supposing, for moment,
that the lady must have died since the mes
senger left home, and that they were now
holding her funeral. Arranged in a neat
row around the walls seemed to be all the
old men and women of the neighborhood,
with their hands folded and their faces
drawn up into solemn knots, ready to do
duty as mourners, at moments warning.
Occasionally, one old woman at time would
tip-toe softly to the bedside of the invalid,
clasp her hands, roll up her eyes, and return
noiselessly to her seat, perhaps remarking,
in an audible whisper, to her next neIghbor,
:" Poor thing she seems to be sinking!" or
some other equally cheering bit of news.
In one corner of the room were seated two
little boys, trying to look demure and sad,
with their feet dangling in the air. Finally,
one of them slipped down, and proceeded to
pct a cat, which seemed to be imbued with
the general feeling of silence pervading the
apartment. But he was Immediately called
to order by rigid female, who had mounted
guard over him. !" George Washington !! p
was shrieked in a harsh whisper, "come
right back here to your seat Arnt you
ashamed to be playing when your aunt Sal
lie is almost dying! See how much better
Thomas Jefferson behaves"
Thus admonished, the young culprit re-
turned to his seat beside his twin brother.
feeling that in some way, which he did not
exactly understand, he had been instrumen-
tai in killing his aunt. - ;
"Do you think she will be likely to last
long? was whispered in the doctors ears.
mot at this rate. he replied aloud, ad-
vaEcing to the bedside Of the patient. He
felt the pulse, and remarked, "lt is high,
but it is owing more to unnecessary excite
ment than to fever. This room is too warm
and close she must be moved.
"Oh, doctorl it will kill herl" was whis-
pered by one who seemed to be commander
in-chief
did you send for me to prescribe for
this patient?" demanded the doctor.
"Yes."
"Then expect to have my orders obeyed.
What have you here?" and he opened a
door leading into an adjoining room. 1t
proved to be a parlor: one of those dreary,
unused parlors one so frequently finds in
the country, which are seldom opened
except for funerals; it is probable that this
hos for
this purpose had it not been for our friends
decision. "This will do" remarked the
doctor. authoritatively. "Open the windows
to air the room, and put up bedstead as
quickly as possible, we will move her at
once. This close room, with so many to
breathe the air, and all this whispering, is
enough to kill well person.
There was an air of command in DR.. Min
turns manner which enforced obedience,
and mechanically the men and women, who
had seemed almost like mummies. proceeded
to execute his orders. The sick woman
was soon moved, and quickly began to re-
vive under the influence of the fresh,
cool air. Her numerous attendants, hav-
ing nothing further to do, proceeded to
arrange themselves against the walls of the
room.
Il cannot allow this" said the doctor
" You will undo all that have done. But
one person at time must stay in the room
with her. / wish her to have pure air to
breathe and there is to be no whispering
here; if you have anything to say, say it in
an ordinary tone"
And he held the door open in such de-
cided way, that all but the commander-in-
chief passed through.
"Boys, you had better go out to play"
he remarked, as George Washington and
Thomas Jefferson were bunglingly trying to
walk on tip-toe.
They needed no second admonition, but
were soon rolling on the grass, and our
friend was thenceforth enshrlned in their
hearts as d" bully DOCTOR
The recovery of this patient was rapid,
and DR.. Minturn, in consequence, won some
reputation as skilltul practitioner. His
prompt, decided manner had gained for him
the respect of those who had been made to
yield to his power, and the result was some
little practice. Finally, another patient fell
into his hands, which proved to be Of the
utmost value to him.
Miss Dickford had been confined to her
bed for many years, and her case had al
ready bafled the skill Of twelve physicians.
1t had been her custom to send for every
new one who came into the neighborhood,
and each one in turn had doctored her for
pretty much every disease that human flesh
is heir to- but in vain; she was still bur-
dened with every imaginable pain and ache,
and was unable to turn without assistance.
Assistance, however, she had in liberal
quantities, as it was well known that she
was possessed of large fortune, and it
seems to be human nature to sympathize
with those who are thus situated. She had
heard of DIR. Minturn's skill in the case just
cited, and therefore sent for him. He had
also heard of her, and had made up his
mind that diseased Imagination was the
sole cause of her illness.
A drive of few miles brought DR.. Min
turn to the residence of his new patient.
After he had carefully felt Of her pulse, ex
amined her tongue. and made few inquiries,
she languidly opened her eyes, and asked,
in suppressed whisper, as though she were
almost afraid of disturbing her own depart
ing spirit.
Do you think there is any hope for me,
doctor::'
Hope for you? Yes, to be sure I do.
I will have you out in two weeks, if you will
only follow my directions faithfully. I saw
several such cases in the hospital. All that
is required is q physician who understands
your disease, and, on your part, perfect obe-
dience to his orders"
A faint smile fitted on the countenance
OF the invalid, and she found the strength
to shake her head slightly. "Oh. no, doc
tor! you do not know how sick I am; if
you have me out in two years, you will go
beyond my most sanguine expectations.