Weekly Trinity journal., 1874-07-18


ers, he found himself completely unset
tied in habits and disposition.
With a few hundred dollars saved from
his pay, he returned to New York to
find that his friends had been scattered.
Nobody knew him, and he had not n
relative in the world.
But have profession" said he to
himself, perfected by years of practical
army experience | will establish my
self in practice, and prosperity will bring
friends around me again"
Naturally buoyant and hopeful in dis
position, he prepared to recommence life
with good spirits and bright anticipations
for the future.
He hired Il respectable but moderate
office, ON somi-Mshionable uptown
street, furnished it plainly, and displayed
II sign denotng his calling. Days pass
ed, and no patronage came. He saw his
dollars going out and none coming in.
81 must economize," he concluded.
81 will give up my boarding place to
begin with"
After this the lounge in his Office was
his bed, and the cheap restaurant got
his patronage. Still these measures only
checked the drain upon his store. The
few professional calls that he had were
mainly from those too poor or too dis
honest to pay, and his income did not
ono-hali meet his closely curtailed OK
penscs. lie grow wn-hcarted and dis
couraged. Month after month passed,
and at last his money was all gone.--
What should he do? The idea of giving
up his profession was distasteful, and he
clung TO hope till actual want came IN
the shape of unappeased hunger. Thon
one by one he pawnod his fine surgical
instruments getting but small fraction
of their actual value. Articles of cloth
ing followed, until he found himself ut
torly unprovidod to meet the cold wealth
cr that was coming on.
Finally, convinced that he must aban-
columns of tho newspapers, and spent
two entire days in trying in vain to got
employment. The last Of these two days
he ato nothing, and previous short nj
lowancc had onlceblcd him. When
night came he staggered wenrily TO his
Office to find, after repeated warnings,
| Ia. al
locked the door. With his brain whirl-
! ing and his limbs tottering with weak
ness, DIR. Cotton wandered he scarcely
knew where. Hunger and fatigue were
dong their work. lie had walked sew
cral blocks when his eyes fell upon II car
riage standing ut the curb. A coach
man in livery sat upon the box, and tho
door stood open. just then Indy came
out of an adjacent house and walked to-
ward the vehicle. Tho famshcd man
saw that she carried n pocket book in hor
hand The demon Of hunger suggested
robbery as his eye flashed upon the we'll
filed treasure.
lie darted forward 50 quickly as to at
tract her attention, and for IN instant
she looked ixedly in his face.
A strange expression then passed over
her beautiful features, but it seemed
scarcely that Of fear. She hesitated n
moment, and then laid the tips of her
fingers upon his arm.
"I've been waiting for YOU" she said;
"get into the carriage, please"
Wondering at the meaning Of her
words, and scarcely knowing or caring
what he did, DR.. Cotton did as she re-
quostod.
"Drive home," said the lady to the
driver, and away they were driven up n
fashionable avenue.
"She has mistaken me for somebody
else" he thought; ~ must undeceivo
her"
Then he said
You have doubtless made so1no mis-
takc-at least, | have forgotten you, if /
had the honor Of an acquaintance"
"No, sir" was the reply, in "A musical
voice ~ have made no mistake, but
the explanation is too long TO be made
here. VIII you wait until | reach my
| homer"
DR.. Cotton assentcd, wondering if the
whole adventure was not Il creation Of
his levercd brain.
They arrived, after short drive, at q
brown stone mansion, Of considerable
size and beauty. The carriage stopped
and the lady led the way up the steps in
TO the hall. Hero the weakened strength
OF the doctor gave way, and he sank into
II chair half fainting.
" Why, what is the matter" asked the
lady, in great concern. "Are you ill?'
"Only starving !" was the bitter con.
foss;on. 81 have eaten nothing for two
| days"
The lady hastily summoned the ser.
wants and had him assisted TO an easy
chair. Then tempting viands and gen
erous wine were placed before him, o
which he partook of good effect, feeling
stronger and better Immediately aftel
the meal.
The lady absented herself during his
repast, but now she returned, and wear
ing rich robe. For the first time DR.
Cotton studied her face, he thought the
most perfect in its loveliness that he had
ever seen. She seated herself near him,
and the look her wonderous eyes gave
him was kindly, almost loving.
"Are you prepared for an explanation
Of my rather strange conduct7" she said
DR.. Cotton bowed.
ado you remember me" she asked.
He looked at her face again, but could