Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1878-03-22
DIR. EVERETT. :
Herald and Presbyter.

think you may come with me while | go
my rounds
This remark was addressed to Robert
Parks, and it was made several weeks
after the accident that had shut him in
to one room of Dr. Everett's boarding
house; since which time he had been a
close prisoner, and had been most care
fully watched over by the aforesaid
doctor, until now he was able to walk
out a short distance, during pleasant
days, and even walked down to the store,
and stood looking on for few minutes;
but the hustle and life there had con-
fused him and made his head ache, and
he came home almost discouraged, feel
ing that he was never to be able to take
his place in the work -a-day world again.
1t was this thought, as much as any,
which gave him the languid air and dis
couraged look, which the doctor didn't
like. However, he frightened visibly
over the invitation, and, after an hour
Of brisk riding, admitted that he felt
better than he had since his accident.
Then you are ready to make some
calls with me?" the doctor said, refining
in his horses suddenly before a hand
some house. "You will have to. come
in, for don't like to have you sit still
in the carriage after such rapid riding
Put on dignifed air, and you will be
taken for medical student deeply in
terested in this case
| DIR. Everett was so rapid in his move.
ments, and so decided in his directions
that there was no opportunity for de-
mur, Notwithstanding the fact that
young Robert greatly disrelished the
making of a professional call. The
house into which they were presently
admitted was an elegant one, the very
hall suggesting unlimited wealth and re-
fined taste in the richness and quietness
of it's fnishings. DIR. Everett laid aside
his outer wrappings, motioning to Rob
ert to do the same, then raced up stairs.
still followed, though slowly, by the re-
luctant medical student.
You may sit here he said to him.
with faint smile in his gray eyes, in
dicating by motion of his hand the To-
cation of the here
Robert was relieved to find himself
left alone in a large, handsome room, its
appointments indicating that it was a
sort of invalids parlor. There was a
bright, clear fire burning in the open
CRATE, sofa was drawn before it. piled
with pillows and cushions, and a brill
liant afghan lay across the foot. There
| were rare paintings on the walls, and
bits of statuary on the brackets here
| and there, and choice-looking books,
and inviting magazines strewn over the
tables. lvies were climbing over the
window curtains, and half-blown roses
with other sweet -breathed flowers, filled
several fair and costly vases.
A fellow could afford to be sick. and
lie by for an entire season, if he had
such gilded nest as this to rest in"
murmured Robert, as he took up one
book after another with interest Il
wonder who it is. and if there is serious
sickness"
The doctor had passed into an inner
room, from whence presently his voice
was heard brisk and CHEEKY.
Well, my friend, how do you feel
this morning? The sun is very bright,
and the air begins to think about spring.
| think you must be better
What the patient said could not be
heard; the voice was low and feeble.
But the doctors answer came full and
round .
"Oh, you mustn't be disheartened.
Had bad night, eh? Sorry to hear it.
but for all that, you are really better.
You must take my word for it, even
though you don't feel so, and try to help
yourself with cheerfulifess; that's half
the battle. We shall have you out tax
ing ride. if the weather keeps reason
able"
Then other murmured words, and the
doctors answer:
Oh, never mind your business; it
will get along all right; you have faith
full hel lpers. Besides, my friend, haven
you given it all into the Lords hands,
and isn't it His interest to see that ey-
erything is as it should be?"
What queer doctor?" thought Rob
ert, and then he fell to wondering
whether the weak-voiced patient could
be only a dependent in this home Of
wealth and ease perhaps poor clerk
like himself, who could i'll afford the
time for sickness.
There was more conversation; strong,
earnest words from the doctor. Then
came another voice-a lady's:
'Oh doctor, am so glad to think he
is better! felt sure he must be this
morning, though he doesn't seem to
think so himself. He hasn't patience to
get we'll. That last medicine, doctor,
acted just like charm; indeed, all your
medicines do"
Easy enough matter to be DOCTOR
muttered Robert, from his outer room.
I'D like that sort of life myself.
Handsome carriage and horses; fast
driving; lounge in such elegant rooms
as these; compliments and gratitude
and large bill, cheerful[y paid, with
blessings heaped forever after on the
doctors head. Nice life, declare, !
don't see where the sacrifice comes in.
The poor country doctors have hard
time of it, of course, but when man
gets to the top, as this one is, | think
the fun begins. Some folks have easy
times in this world, and some have
abominably hard times and that's the
whole of it.. -
Is that man very sick? he asked Of
the doctor when they were spinning
over the road again.
He has been; is better now; is in a
fair way to get out again, if he doesn't t
spoil it all with his impatience and fret
fulness He is cranky sort of a pa
tient thinks he is having the worst
time there is in the world, and all that
sort of thing
" Is he poor man.
Poor! Did his surroundings look
like it? why, he is Mr. Cady, of the
firm of Dunlap g. Cady, wholesale gro
GERS, you know, and dong heavy bus
mess"
"Why, | overheard him grumbling
about his business, or something of that
kind, and thought he was poor clerk,
accidentally laid aside in the house of
his employer, you know, or something
like that"
"Not bit of it. He might possibly
be cheerful man if that were his case;
but having his heart burdened with hun
dreds of thousands, it is hard for him to
take time to get sick. He is Christian
man, too; that ought to help him, but
the fact is it doesn't seem to help him
as much as it should.
"There are good many people who
do not seem to be helped by that expcr.
ience as much as they ought" Robert
said, and there was an undertone of sar.
casm in his voice.