Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1874-08-13

ooicu VIC ahAy saS al aSStStdnG surgeon,
and served throughout the entire
struggle. At its close, like thousands
of others, he found himself complete
ay unsettled in habits ahd disposition
With a few hundred dollars saved
from his pay, he. returned to New
York, to End that his friends had been
scattered.
Nobody knew him, and he had not
relative in the world.
"But l have profession" he said to
himself, perfected by years of practical
army experience. I viii establish my
self, and prosperity will bring friends
around me again" t'sFfs@ss
Naturally buoyant and hopeful, he
prepared to recommence life with good
spirits and bright anticipations for the
future. He hired a respectable but
modest Office, on semi fashionable up
town street, furnished it plainly, and
displayed sign denoting his calling
Days passed and no patronage came.
He saw his dollars going out with noue
coming in.
81 must econ omize," he concluded; 4
must give up my boarding, to begin
with"
CATER that the lounge in his office
was his bed, and the cheap retaurant
got his patronage. Still these measures
only checked the drain upon his store.
The few professional calls that he had
had were mainly those too poor or too
dishonest to pay, and his income did
not one half meet his closely curtailcd
expenses. He grew down hearted and
discouraged. Month after month passed
and at last his money was all gone
What should he do7 The idea Of
giving up bis profession was distastefll
and he chung to hope until actual want
came in the shape of unappeased of his
hunger. Then one by one he disposed
OF his fine surgical instruments, getting
but small fraction of their real value.
Articles of clothing followed until he
found himself utterly unprovided to
meet the cold weather that was coming
on.
Finally, convinced that he must
abandon his profession, he studied the
want columns Of the newspapers, and
spent two entire days in trying in vain
to get employment. The last of these
days he ate nothing, and previous short
allowance had enfeebled him. When
night came he staggered YEARLY to his
office, to find that after repeated warn
ings, the landlord had take possession
and locked the door.
With his brain whirling and his
limbs tottering, with weakness, Dr..
CoLooN, wandered he scarcely knew
where. Hunger and fatigue were do iig
their work. He had walked sseveral
blocks when his eyes fell upon a car
riage standing at the curb A coach>
man in livery sat upon the box, and
the door stood open. Just then lady
came out Of an adjacent house, and
walked toward the vehicle The
famished man saw that she carried
pocket book in her hand. The demon
of hunger suggested robbery as his eyes
feasted upon the we'll filled treasure.
He darted forward SO quickly as to at
tract her attention, and for an instant
she looked fxedly in his face. A
strange expression passed over her
features, but it was scarcely that of
of fear. She hesitated a moment, and
then laid tie tips OF her fingers upon
his arm.
give been waiting for you," she
said, 'sget into the carriage, please"
Wondering at the meaning of her
words, and scarcely knowing or hear
ing what he did, DR.. Cotton did as he
was requested.
''Drive home" said the lady to the
driver, and away they were borne up
fashionable avenue.
''She has mistaken me for Somebody
else" he thought, and l must undeceive
her,"
Then he said aloud:
"You have doubtless made some mis-
take-at least l have forgotten you, if
I have ever had the honor of your &C
quaintance."
"No, sir" was the reply, 81 have
made no mistake, but the explanation
is too long to be made here. Will you
not wait till l reach my home ?"
DR.. Cotton assented, !: wondering if
tho whole adventure was not a crea.
ton of his fevered brain.
They arrived, after short drive, at
brown stone mansion of considerable
size and beauty. The carriage stopped,
and the lady led the way up stairs and
into the hall. Here the weakened
strength of the doctor gave way, and
he sank into chair, half faint1ng.
"Why, what is the matter" asked
the lady, in great concern. care you
ill?"
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