The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-09-26
A PERFECT CURE.

Mrs Wildfang belonged to that class Of old
lady that undergoes marked change when the
doctor appears. She met DR.. Whitley on his
way up at tho top of the stairs, barring further
progress. AS soon as she had known Of his
presence in the house she had assumed the tip
toe gait and went about pulling shades down
and shutting doors. She stands now on her
toes in an cxpectant, hushing sort of way, head
trifc forward and pointing forefnger sus-
pended half way between breast and lips.
Whitley knows what is coming and breads it.
ooh. dear doctor, said Mrs. Wildfang, bend
ing good deal forward, ~ do believe my poor
Maria is going to be very sick. She hasn't eaten
ANYTHING but little chicken since luncheon,
and the poor girl is so thin! l can feel her
poor, dear ribs. If you keep anything from
me, doctor, shall never forgive you. There
seems so few Of them on one side. If it is my
poor girls dear ribs that trouble her it will be
only nine. of them on her left side this very
afternoon, doctor. Oh, my poor Maria!
"Only nine ~ repeated Whitley. with an odd
little smile. "My dear Mrs. Wildfang, how
many ribs do you suppose belong to woman on
one side of her?"
"Then, doctor, you think it is because she
has too many? Oh, my poor girl !"
"Let me wee your daughter, said Whitley,
trying to get by the old lady"
don't ask her unnecessary questions. My Maria
is SO sensitive! She said to me only this very
morning 'Oh, dear mamma if the doctor
should hear of this blue spot on my left arm he
would want to see it, am very sure, and 1t
would be so awkward for me to have to show
my left arm E;sv, doctor, easy. If it is her
ribs, doctor, you mustn't tell my girl to-day 1t
may kill her, she is so weak. Oh, my poor
dear am sure she is going to be very sick.
o,,l,, MIN T am HpOr 6NntOr
If YOU must count them do please not look at
nv poor Maria she is so sensitive"
Mrs. Wildfang led the way on tiptoe, fore
finger raised and pointed toward her lips.
Whitley expected to find patient pretty well
passed away, young life futtering to earth.
Possibly some spinal disorder i'll lieu OF ribs
and he was asking himself an honest question,
whether his bitter drug would assimilatein in such
case. He was not surprised to lind the room
quite dark and closed and the usual round table
laden with bottles. spoons, cups, smelling salts
and flowers, standing near to the door 10 De
stumbled over. But he did indulge his odd
little smile until it was quite beyond control
when he beheld for o patient All able boGied,
though rather gaunt maid of thirty, seated be-
fore sooty coal fire, nibbling iced sponge cake
and reading, or trying to zee to read, Dumas.
An unusually ugly half shaved skye terrier was
in her lap Whitley had half mind to turn
air and sunlight. For long ten minutes he
let the patient pour forth q tale of deep woe
and dreadful suffering many new aches that
must have been recently introduced by the
demon pain were specified; many unheard OF
symptoms were dwelt upon and there were
tears that flowed and dropped on to the nose OF
the Skye terrier. Then an artificial sounding
little cough, a kind Of dust or pepper cough,
without depth or dignity, merely the protest OF
palate irritated by an excess of sweets, put an
end to the lamentation, and under cover OF it
Whitley arose and reached the door, He look
. cd back kindly at tho complaining woman,
pleasant little smile playing on his countc-
nance, and said he believed he had heard all
! and hoped that he might do her much good.
Then he withdrew, requesting Mrs. Wlldfang to
follow him down stairs.
: "There is nothing the matter with your
daughter, Mrs. Wildfang," said DIR. Whitley,
! facing the old lady and cycling her sternly,
''under Gods blue sky. She is sound as
; silver dollar. Give her George Eliot to read
! and beef to eat. Take that dog from her, and
shc must have an aim. She is living for moth
ing, now, and it doesn't agree with her. Two
blocks frore here is a family that lie on loose
straw and dress in rags, and one pale, frall girl
/ of sixteen keeps FIVE mouths from starvatlon.
! Let your daughter call, in an hours time, at
| No. 200 Blank street; she will look differently
at life after doing so, sure. and feel differ
emily. See to that she takes bread with her,
and some lea and, by all means, the remain
! der of that iced sponge cake. will bid you
| good day."
Mrs W;ldfan~ ie dumb from astonishment,
ana uops oown onto her heels When she re-