Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1874-07-31
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TEsE ANCIENT GOOSE

That's what they said of him. His mus
tache was gray, he was past thirty mine,
and, not being married, was consided soli-
tary. 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 respected physician
for half the families in the place, and he
never wanted for company and friendship.
Why he had never married had been the
speculation of the village. The subject was
now threadbare, and they had ceased to
talk oft. 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 Wauchusetta. They
came to him with their little heart break
ings and love sorrows. For the one he had
pills and advice for the other q ready ear,
counsel, 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
woful tales he could hardly fail to study her
face with admiration.
Young, twenty years his junior, rather
pretty, reasonably well educated, sensible,
and quite ready for joke at any time, she
preferred the bright side of everything.
Hence her present sorrow. She did not
wish to be bothered as she expressed it,
with a serious love affair. 1t was a trouble,
vexation, an interference with her plea
sure, and
We'll, therel' It's entirely dreadful, and
l don't want it, nor him. Just as l was
fairly osL 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
eye, and said
That is so, doctor. Is it 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 ,ove with
her.
She frowned. He was too slow.
Come, sir, parade your wisdom. | can
pay for advice, and l want it,
Go to bed early, get up late, and sleep
it off,
That's very good for him. Tell him
that, please. AS for me, it does not help
bit. There it stands. lie will pursue
me with attentions. don't want
'Snub him.
Hes not snubable. Snubbing fails
harmless on his good-natured temperament.
I've tried it, and it don't work. He took
it like 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 lie has it very bad this
time. The symptoms are alarming
They are, doctor, they are, and | don't
like it, It's nuisance, and bother, ard
and hate him. There y
Feel better, my dear?'
Yes: for Pm getting mad. | feel like
breaking things, and
You do You do it all the time. Poor
boy Pm not surprised Here you go
about the place, being as attractive as pos
sible, and then you break all our hearts.
and scold us for it. What do you expect p
It's not my fault. didn't make my
self.
'Well-no-not exactly
For Heavens sake, doctor, why don't
you do something? Advise me-
Get married =
Doctor, you are too hateful
'Ipresume so; doctors always are. But
that's my advice. Get married; then he
can no longer trouble you.'
Now, you're silly doctor, ana shan
tell you any more. You don't care straw
for my troubles, after all, and
Here she began to be teary, and threated
to have "A good cry
My dear, r,my advice is not so bad. You
must admit that if you were engaged, he
would leave you at once
Il suppose so.'
Yes
Yes. Then get engaged or You don't
care to 60 far, arrange with some young
man to be engaged to him temporarily.
Then your Sam
He's not my Sam, thank Heaven p
Then your Sam will take unto himself
another wife, and when all is secure you
can break your engagement, and all will be
serene again.