Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1875-02-06


education. I shall place Kitty under
my friends charge, and if his common
sense as a physician, and what little 1
can exercise as husband, do not put
an end to these disgraceful--yes, madam,
I repeat it, disgraceful turns-then we
will try something else little more un-
common"
"Why, Samuel Lathrop, you are a
perfect brute Did you think you had
married a horsea I might have known
that my delicate little Kitty had no bust
ness with you, sir" ~ ee. I'd
Mrs. Penn entered her daughters
room in high dudgeon. She was not to
be put down, not she. L -r1. .'-E.- 4 ~
/" I always give her chloroform, doctor,
when she has these attacks" said the
lady, drawing close to the bedside. "I
think Kitty must have some in her
dressingroom. 1 will get it. "
"Don't trouble yourself, madam"
was the curt reply; 81 never administer
anesShetics in these cases. She will
come round as usual, presently. How
often does she have these attacksG" M
"Oh, there's no particular time for
them. She has always been an exceed
ingly fragile child, and Looking dag
gers at her son-in-law-" has always
been accustomed to the most tender
solicitude In our family, doctor, there
never has been cny disgrace attached to
sickness. That should ever have lived
to see this day. Oh, my poor child
my poor dear little Kitty" " E- 81
"And now she's off !'' roared the dis
tracted husband, as Mrs. Penn, in strong
commissions, threw herself upon the foot
of the bed. ...- ...- --. ......
"Wel, this is q pretty mess !" said
the doctor, unable to conceal his merri-
ment.
"That's so," said Sam, ruefully.
"But tell me one thing, doctor. Is my
wife in any danger2" -s-...
Not from this attack; but few
more such nervous spasms would SO un-
dermine her constitution as to make her
q confirmed invalid. One year more at
this rate and your wife would probably
be bed-ridden."
"The Lord forbid I" replied Sam,
solemnly. "But is there any way to
prevent it2"
Yes, common sense will prevent it.
You will probably learn from this first
experience, my dear fellow, that a
mother-in-law is not always reliable
person in an emergency, Next time
there is spasm you will undoubtedly
keep dark about it. Astonishing, isn't
it, how much experience does accomplish
for man 2"
Mother-in-law was carefully moved
out, and allowed to go on with her
Mysteries undisturbed, and the doctor
proceeded with the diagnosis of his
patient.
In the meantime, Kitty's paroxysms
subsided and perfect consciousness
came back to the poor little woman, who,
too weak to speak, looked pleadingly
into her husbands face, evidently de-
sirous of ascertaining how the last hours
work had affected him. There was
nothing to be seen there but perfect
kindness and tenderness, and Kitty
closed her tired eyes and went fast
asleep.
"Now, what is your theory about
this case, doctorl 2" inquired Sam, fred
with determination to know what it all
meant. ..
"I'll tell you, my boy. This little
wife Of yours is more sinned against
than shining, in my opinion. She has
been the victim of society-mother.
Now the question is, have you grit and
patience enough to undo the work of all
these years? 1t will take both; but if
you love her, as 1 have no doubt you do
as a thoughtful fellow like you must
have done to have married-you will be
able to plow through and come out con-
queror. But I warn you the job is
tough one. Now, did this thing meet
when you ripped it off ?" continued the
doctor, holding up the daintily- y-em-
broidered corset
81 am sure 1 don't know" replied
Sam. "All know is that, when / cut
the internal string, it went off like a
pistol" .t##b Et##H
EXACTLY. Well, the truth is, Sam,
that your wife, in the endeavor to cheat
nature out of her rights, has SO COM
pressed her waist with tight lacing that
she has actually lappped her ribs. I
found that out in my examination; and
then look here" picking up slipper,
which mighthave belongedto to Cinderella.
"This shoe is probably large enough
for Mrs. Lathrop but take look at
that heel-an inch and half in height,
and clear in the middle of the foot. Now.
doyou know what this sort of thing
does for the wearers 1t throwsthe body
entirely off its equilibrium, and in that
way puts everything out of gear-weals
backs, diseased nerves, compressed
lungs, abnormal circulation, and swoons
and spasms, as a matter of course. Now,
the question is, have you courage enough
to join hands with me in an attempt to
make this wife of yours entirely ours 2
: 1t can be done, but, as I said before, it
} is a tough job"
Eyes, sir, I think I have. Try me,
and see;" and the physician went to