The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1877-09-04
MY SINGULAR VISITOR.
A pocroR's STORY.

years, and had never had patient from
the more aristocratic circles, when one
night, about ,1l:30, was startled by a
violent ring at my bell, and having just
got to bed after hard days work, /
can't say the summons was agreea-
BILE.
However, 1 ran to my window at
once, and thrusting my head out into
the rain, cried, Who is thereY"
A voice answered, "Only I, Doctor
It's an urgent case. Please come down
to the door,
l hurried on some clothes, sped down
stairs, aud opened the door. There
stood, in the full light of the hall lamp,
an elderly lady dressed in deep mourn
ing.
She put out the smallest of hands in
a fine black kid glove, and said, plteous-
ly, " Are you the doctor ?' iet
Yes,' said. jl
"Then come with me,'' said she.-
Don't delay. It's life or death. Come ~
1 hurried on my overcoat, caught up
my umbrella, and offering my arm to
the old lady, walked down the street
with her. ed tal
" You must be my guide, madam" /
said. don't know where you live."
She instantly gave a street and num-
Der that surprised me still more. 1t was
in a tolerable aristocratic quarter of the
town.
" Who is ill madam ?' 1 inquired, +" a
grown person or child ?"
" A young lady-my daughter" she
said.
" Suddenly ?"
" Yes, suddenly, she answered. "Do
you keep a brougham? You should
have had it out if you do. We would
have been able to go faster"
g. keep no conveyance" L answer
ed
6 Perhaps you are poor 2" said she,
eagerly.
" Certainly not rich" 1 said.
Cure her and will make you rich,"
she said in sort of suppressed shriek-
" cure her and I'll give you anything
you ask. l don't care for money. I'm
rolling in gold. Cure her, and I'll
shower it on you.'
" You are excited, madam" 1 said.-
" Pray be calm"
" Calm!" she said" "calml but you
don't know mothers heart'' .0r
We had reached the street she had in
dicated, and were at the door of one of
its houses. The old lady ascended the
steps and opened the door with latch
key.A light burned in the hall; anoth-
er in one Of the parlors, the furniture of
which was draped and shrouded in white
linen.
Wait here, sir, if you please" she
said, as she led me into one of these.
waited what thought most un-
reasonable time in that gloomy parlor.-
1 began to grow little nervous, when a
stout, short, red faced woman hustled
into the room.
81 beg your pardon, sir" she said, in
a singular tone, such as one who had
committed speech to memory might
use; but my missus = the lady who
brought you-is very nervous, and was
needlessly alarmed. She begs your ac-
ceptance of the customary fee and there
is no need of your services"
Thus speaking, she handed me
guinea, courtsied, and opened the door
for me. bowed, expressed my pleasure
that the patient was better, and de-
parted.
1t was queersort of adventure, but
rather amusing than otherwise besides
/ had good fee.
rose early next morning, and paid
couple of visits before breakfast. Re
turning, to my astonishment, found
sitting in my consulting room the lady
of the night before. She rose as / en-
tered. -
What must you think of me ?" she
said. "But no matter. My daughter is
very dear to me, and have heard of
your skill. She is worse again. Can
you call some time today, as early as
possible, at my houseY"
81 will be there in an hour" / re-
piled.
The lady took out her purse.
I" am an old-fashioned woman, - she
said. Il" / retain old-fashioned habits. In
my day the doctor received his fee on
the spot. 1t was in ordinary cases a
guinea. "Will you receive it now ?p
did not know what to say, but
she laid the money on the table and de-
parted.