Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-07-19
forgetting herself, and this the doctor

Only that / might make YOU under
stand that a mans digestion could be
most unexeeptionable, and he yet be far
from sound in other directions
Then you mean to tell me that my
husband is sick"
II do"
Perhaps you will go still further, and
say dangerously
If you desire it."
90, DR.. Ellis, how cold and unfeeling
you arel [ should think you ought to
know by this time and just here Mrs
Stephens broke down entirely, and sob
bed as if her heart would break
Ought to know what Mrs Stephens -
inquired the doctor, with uncalled for
deliberatiOn.
You ought to know-to know-that
my-my husbands health is of a good
deal more consequence than my own"
"Ah, indeed" interrupted the ply
sician, with an elevation of the bushy
eyebrows immensely suggestive of a con-
trary opinion, as we'll as several very
excellent reasons for said opinion.
DIR. Ellis, will you be kind enough
to tell me what's the matter with my
husband?"
Mrs. Stephens was now on her feet
tears all wiped away, eyes flashing with
resentful spirit, and only the little culver
Of her lip to show how deep a wound
the kind heart in her bosom had sus-
tanned. There she stood reproachful,
determined, womanly.
Mrs Stephens said he, you have
no cause to be alarmed. If can only
get your cooperation in this business, |
feel certain | shall be able to make a
we'll man of your husband in few
months, at the longest; but as true as L
sit here before you, | cannot do this
alone"
"Why have | not been informed of
this before? broke in Mrs. Stephens i'm
periously.
"WhO was there to inform you, mad
am? Your husband does not know his
condition, and | should really like to be
told when you have been sufficiently
calm to hear all that was necessary for
YOU to know"
But DR.. Ellis, | should think you
ought to understand that my own
health and comfort are for nothing, COM
pared to my husbands" Mrs. Stephens
was weeping again. "There is no sacri-
flee that | would not make for him."
Curious creatures" muttered the
doctor; - delightful bundles of contra
dictiOn. How the mischief should [
know, Mrs Stephens, how much you
care for your husband? | am sure you
have spent the last hour complaining
about him. Is that the way women
generally testify their regard for their
husbands?"
so, don't DR.. Ellis, please don't"
pleaded the terrified woman. Il will
never complain again-never-f you
will only let me know what | can do for
him. Doyou know, doctor. [ had begun
to think lately that something must be
amiss with him, he was growing so irri-
table. Poor dear! how wicked and
thoughtless ! have been"
"This, then, is the trouble. [ shall
take it for granted, madam, that you
know something about physiology, and
can follow me without difficulty?"
"O-yes, go on"
Very well: find that the pericar-
dunn"
"The pericardium?' repeated Mrs.
Stephens.
'|You know what that is, | SUPPOSED"
Evidently Mrs Stephens anatomical
knowledge was limited. She shook her
head in despair. Something about the
heart is it not?" she asked at length.
Yes, the pericardium is the mem
braneous sac that holds the heart. Well,
sometimes the sac--it is no matter
about particulars, Mrs. Stephens" and
DIR. Ellis suddenly came to a standstlll.
ut is enough, though, for me to say
that we are both possibly anxious that
his heart should remain where it be-
longs. Mr.. Stephens must be amused.
He wants the opera, the lecture, the so
cial circle, entertaining books-a happy
home-music You play and sing, do
you not, Mrs Stephens?"
go yes-I used to-" and Mrs. Steph-
DIR. Ellis really and truly was obliged to
wipe both his eyes and his nose. Be
fore he was aware the lachrymal duct
had got the upper hand.
''Well, try it again; get teacher and
90 to practising"
But how am going to manage my
spasms?" sobbed the lady.
"Wel, perhaps between us both-you
using your will power, and thinking of
your husband, going out with him, tax
ing care of him, and doing my best in
my wayne may be able to subdue
them; but YOU must remember this
madam-do not let Mr.. Stephens have
the faintest suspicion that you think
anything is the matter with him; and
above all, do not treat him like an in
valid. Just amuse him, and all that,
you know, just as you used to when you
were first married"
Another series of sObs from Mrs.
Stephens.
The doctor arose to go. His patient
had entirely forgotten that he had left
no prescription.
about tea, doctor?" she asked, as he
prepared to leave. ''Do you think it
very hurtful?'
"As an occasional tonic [ have no
/ objection to tea, but as Il beverage,
madam, it is an invention of the devil.
| Good morning"
John Stephens sought his home that
evening with a heavy heart. His wife
he believed confirmed invalid, or by
pochondriac-it mattered little which,
/ one was as bad as the other His re-
monstrances were of no avail, he was
doubtful even whether his wife loved
him. He opened the door softly with
his latch-key. This had become habit
ual; seldom did the gentleman show
himself to his beloved wife until after
the dining-bell had summoned the fam
lily to the dining-room.
A strain of music met his ear and
transfixed him on the threshold. Abt's
beautiful song was being rendered, and
] his wife WAS the musician He was inst