The Republican journal., 1874-09-10
From the American Homes for July. |
Ancient Goose.
BY CHARLES BARNARD.

BY CHARLES BARNARD.
IN unrieM, qyuy, 015d solitary goose.
That's what they said of him His
moustachc was gray, he was past thirty
nine, and, not being married, was con-
sidercd solitary 1t mattered little to him
The care of his patients kept him bright
and active. His profession was sufficient
for his wants. He was the loved and re-
spected physician for half the families in
the place, and he never wanted for com
pany and friendship. Why he had never
married, had been the speculation of the
village The subject was now thread
bare, and they had ceased to talk Of il.
He saw much of female society, for he
was one OF those fine rare natures that
make ''brothers to girls" His genial good
nature, and above all, his ability to
keep secrets, made him indeed the brother
to half the girls in Wauchusctta. They
came to him with their little pains and ills
and their little heart rt-breakings and love
sorrows For the one he had pills and
advice; for the other, 4 ready ear, coun-
sell help and confidence.
No wonder Sally Depford came fearful
and angry to him in her little difficulty
with Sam Barrett A small rage made
her the more attractive. As the Doctor
heard her woful tale, he could hardly fail
to study her face with admiration,
Young. twenty years his junior rather
pretty, reasonably we'll educated, sensi-
BILE, and quite ready for a Joke at any
time she preferred the bright side of
everything. Hence her present sorrow
She did not wish to be ''bothered,n as She
expressed it, with a serious love affair 1t
was trouble, a veXation, an Interference
with her pleasure, and
well, there It's entirely dreadful,
and | don't want it, or him. just as |
was fairly out of school and preparing to
have a splendid time with the girls, then
this thing comes along, and | don't like
it."
She tried to CRY, but could not 1t was
not worth crying about So she brushed
back the black hair from behind her ears
looked the venerable doctor straight in
the eve, and said
THAT is 50, Doctor, Is 1t not p
The Doctor had no Immediate reply to
make He would consider the case and
her.
There was something peculiarly attrac-
tive about her face, and it was small Won
der that sam Barrett. the last beau left in
the village was desperately in love with
her
She trowned He was too slow.
Come, sir parade Your wisdom. |
can pay for advice, and | want it,
go to bed early, get up late, and sleep
it Oft"
That's very good lor him. Tell him
that please As for me, it does not help
u bit. There it stands He will pursue
me with attentions. don't want"
"Snnb him"
lies not snubable. snubbing fall,
harmless ON his good-natued tempera-
ment I've tried it, and it don't work He
took it like a lamb,
Tell him You're not at home"
Then he leaves his card, and says he
will call again. And he is sure to do so. -
Poor boy He has it very bad this time.
The symptoms are alarming"
They are. Doctor, they are, and
don't like it. It's 4 nuisance, and a bother,
and hate him. There =
Feel better, my dear?'
''Yes; for I'm getting mad. feel like
breaking things, and l."
You do You do it all the time. Poor
boy! I'm not surprised Here you 90
about the place, being as attractive az
possible, and then YOU break all oul
hearts, and scold us for it, What ~lo you
eXpect?'
'.It's not my fault. didn't make my
SELF
'-Well-no-not eNactl y
For Heavens sake, Doctor, why don't
You do something? Advise me-
Get married
"DOctor, YOU are too hateful
II presume so; doctors always are. But
that's my advice. Get married; then he
can no longer trouble you"
'.Now, you're silly, Doctor, and shan't
tell you any more You don't care straw
for my troubles, after all, and
Here she began to be teary, and threat
ened to have "a good cry"
MY dear, my advice is not SO bad
You must admit that if you We're engaged,
he would leave yon at once"
Il suppose So
Yes. Then get engaged; or il you
don't care to 90 SO far, arrange with some
young man to be engaged to him tempor-
arily. Then your Sam"
s'flcs not my SAM thank Heaven ="
Then your Sam will take unto himself
another wife, and when all is secure you
can break your engagement, and all will
be Serono again -
"What an absurd idea !! Jump into the
water for the sake of escaping from drown
ing. tell you | don't want anybody's at
tention. 1t would be Il dreadful trial to
be engaged at all, even in self-defense'
Not if the other party would agree to
keep himself away, and simply lend a
diamond ring for q while, and play the
part of the distant intended?"
Il don't know. Doctor; it is desper-
ate measure. But il would be elfectual.'
"Of course"
''lt would be rather amusing to 90
home and announce that was engaged.
should have to tell mother how it really
stood, aud father would be, of course, lei
into the secret. The rest need not know
Goodness what a scattering there would
be. and how all the old ladies would talk. )
You need not care. 1t would be easy
to act your part, and in q few weeks all
would be comfortably over and every
thing would be serene again
Il declare, Doctor, the more think o
it, the more amusing it seems. 1t IS very
wicked, no doubt, but then, the case j:
hard one"
"And demands heroic remedies"
''Precisely. Now the next is to get III
a good lover. | shall not expect much
Any straw man that's convenient will an
swer DO you know of one, Doctor-s
good one? He must be nice, and all that
or couldn't endure it,"
"Well-no-no-I cannot think of one
lust now. There are none living near thai
are available Perhaps we might impor
one"
"Doctor, rve an idea"
GLOW startling Bring it forth, that
may admire it..
'You be the lover
tvi1linO -