The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1877-08-30
A DOCTORS STORY.

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in one of the most crowded localities.
had been in my present abode two
years, and had never had . patient from
the more aristocratic circles, when one
night, about II 80, was startled by . vi0-
lent ring at my hell, and having just got
to bed after hard days work, can't say
the summons was agreeable.
However, I ran to my window at once,
and thrusting my head out into the rain,
cried, "Who il there -
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 and opened the door. There stood,
In the full light of the hall lamp, an elder
ly lady dressed in mourning.
She put out the smallest Of hands in q
fine black kid glove, and said, piteously,
Are you the doctor!'
YES" said.
"Then come with me-" said she.
Don't delay. It's life or death. Comet"
hurried on my OvercOat, caught up
my umbrella and, Offering my arm to the
old lady, walked down the street with her.
"You must be my guide, madam"
said. ~ do not know where you live"
She instantly gave me street and mum.
Der that surprised me still more. It was
in tolerably aristOcratic quarter of the
town.
"Who is i'll, madam" inquired, "a
grown person or q child"
"A young lady-my daughter" she
said.
"Suddenly!"
eyes, suddenly" she answered. "De
you keep . brOugham? You should have
had it out if you do. We would have been
able to 60 faster.''
II keep no conveyance" I said.
Perhaps you are poor?" said she
eagerly:
"Cure her and I'll make you rich,"
she said. in sort of suppressed shrek.
"Cure her, and III give you anything you
ask. don't care for money. I'm roll
ing in gold. Cure her, and III shower it
on you.''
"You are excited. madam" said.
"Pray be calm"
"Calml" she said" calm! hut you
don't know mothers heart.''
We had reached the street she had indi.
Gated, 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 burnt in the hall another 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.
l waited what / thought q most un.
reasonable time in that gloomy parlor. I
began to grow little nervous, when stout,
short, red-faced woman, hustled into the
room.
81 beg your pardon, sir" she said, in a
singular tone, such as ore who had com.
mitted speech to memory might use !;
"but my missus-the lady who brought
you here's very nervous, and needlessly
alarmed. She begs your acceptance of
the customary fee. and there is no need of
your services"
Thus speaking, she handed me guinea,
courtesied and opened the door for me. I
bowed, expressed my pleasure that the
patient was better, and departed.
1t was a queer sort of adventure, but
rather amusing than otherwise; beside, I
had good fee.
rose early next morning, and paid q
couple Of visits before breakfast. Re.
turning, tn my establishment, found sit
ting in my consulting room the lady of
the night before. She rose as entered.
What must you think Of me!" she
said. "But no matter. Ny daughter is
very dear to me, and have heard Of your
skill. she is worse again. Can you call
some time to-day, as early as possible, at
my house?''
81 will be there in an hour" said.
The lady took out her purse.
~ am an old fashioned woman" she
said. II retain old-tashioned habits. In
my day the doctor received his fee ON the
spot. 1t was in ordinary cases guinea.
Will you receive it now?''
did not know what to say, but she
laid the money on the table and departed.
ate my breakfast, and having dressed
myself carefully, made my way to the old
lady's house. I knocked. The door was
opened by the stout female who had dis
Kissed me the night before.
The DOCTOR" said by way of expla-
nation.
"Ah," said she. Has missus called
you in again?''
"Yes," answered.
THERE'S no need, I assure you, sir, -
There's no one i'll here. It's within Of
missus'. I'm q better Judge of illness
than she. No need of q doctor"
left the house, of course, partly in
dudgeon, partly in amazement.
Three weeks passed by, when, lol the
She walked into my consulting-room,
dressed as before, as greatly agitated, as
carefully polite.
"Sir," she said, "again l trouble you
My poor daughter Come at once"
Madam" answered, "it is doctor'a
duty, as it should be his pleasure, to obey
such calls: but you are aware that l have
been sent from your door twice without
seeing the patient. Allow me to ask you
question-are you the mistress of thai
hOuse?"
"Heaven knows I am" said the old
lady. 81 have lived there for forty
years. I own it. I am the only persor
under that roof who has the right to give
an order"
"And the person who sent me awayr
MY old servant. Margaret"
ibid she do it at your order ?"
"No, sir; it was piece of presump
ton. But Margaret means we'll; she love'
u.s."
"Then, madam, if I accompany you
shall see the patients''
"Assuredly, SIR"
put ON my hat again, and we went
out of the house together. We exchanged
very few words as we walked the streets
At the door of her house the old lady
paused.
"Don't mind Margaret" she whis
pered. "She means we'll"
Then she ascended the steps.
At the last one the door was opened Il
us by the woman had twice seen before
"The doctor must see my child, Marga
rct," said the old lady.
Margaret stepped back.
walk in. sir" was all she said.
The old lady beckoned me to follow
her. did so. She went upstairs anC
opened the first door We came to. It wa
an empty bedroom. She closed it with I
sigh. The next room into which she lcd
me was also empty. So were oil the 9th
ers. In effect, we visited six apartments
only one Of which seemed to b regularly
occupied % . sleeping chamber; and q
the last the old lady turned to me with
strange glitter in her eyes.
..6tolen," she said, stolen; somebody
has stolen my girl. Sir, do you know,