The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1878-07-31
A MIDNIGHT VISITOR.
a DOCTORS SINGULAR ADVENTURE.


the doctor, glancing ct the clock OIL
the man:lepiece, as be drew his ehai
close TO the fire; seating bim;eif com
fortably in it, and planting bis fee
OF the fender, be began to read.
The servant had gone to bed al
hour before; the boy was in bis dor
miiory; the cat and dog occupied
the centre Of the hearth-rug, under
their masters legs, in a strangely
complicated embrace, just as they
bsd fallen asleep in the midst Of
their play, Buff, the cat, having her
fore-paws around Nelson's neck, aud
Nelson, a beautiful water spaniel,
with his nose snugly bedded in the
thick tan-color fur which bad given a
name to bis friend.
The doctor had his book upon his
knee, and taking up the poker, gently
tapped and played with a large coal,
through whose fssures the blazing
gas spirited with a sputter and fume
that in the deep midnight silence
sounded clear and loud. He was en-
joyiDg to the full that sensessof securi-
ty from interruption which medical
men so seldom have an opportunity
of feeling. He had in immediate
prospect none of those urgent cases
which have DO regard for time or
tide, and the wild that prowled in
the chimneys and the heavy rain that
beat furiously against the windows
promised MIN security from all cases
Of minor necessity So be played
with the blazing coal, and enjoyed
bis comfortable lireside as much as
man can who has no wife to share it
with him.
As the sound of wheels rumbling
along the street mingled with the
noise Of the storm, be gave al exult-
ant poke to the coal, which left it a
heap. of flaming ruins; and then he
settled deeper into his chair, with Sc
rious thoughts of setting public
opinion at defiance by smoking a
cigar But suddenly the spaniel
raised his head, erected his silky
ears, and uttered short, inquisitive
bark In the next moment the doe
tor heard that the wheels stopped
before the door Pulling a long face
that seemed to commiserate himself
on the disturbance Of his quiet, he
sat upright waiting for the simmons,
and muttering, philosophicallv, "Put
not thy faith in any sort of weath-
er :"
Then came q ring at the night
bell, and female voice that called
from the vehicle:
DON'T knock You need not
rouse the whole house"
81 hope they'll make haste and
come, them replied a gruh voice,
the tones Of which carried with them
a strong conviction that the vehicle
outside must be a cab; "If | don't
knock 'em up, shall be kept waiting
here for an hour !"
There is some one coming-I see
a light" replied the voice from the
cab Inquire If the gentleman is at
home.r
Heres the doctor himself. | sup
pose" said the cabman, as the street
door opened and showed the figure 10
slippers aud murning-gown that stood
within.
open the door aud let me cut ~
said ibe lady, impatiently; and no
sooner had the driver, in his deliber-
ate sleepy way. obeyed her commands
than three light bounds placed her
safely on the door-mat. She seemed
to be young. but ber thick veil eject
ually bid her face.
"Do you want me TO go any
where ?" said the doctor, glaneiug at
bis slippers ''ior if so, III"
"No-0, no.n she interrupted, Il
wish to speak with you Wait for
me-" she said, addressing the cab
man 81 will pay you double for
your time, in consideration OF the
bad weather
The door was shut, and the driver,
diyesting himself Of his waterproof
coat, which be threw over the roes-
ing Ganks Q. has horse, ensconsed
hiasels in tie inside OF his carriage
to exchange his habitual dozy condi-
tion for state of complete somno-
leDcy. IL the meantime the doctor
had politely how'd his visitor into
the parIor, and seated her on 9 sofa.
This is dreadful weather for you
TO come out in, ma'am," be began ;
but | suppose the case is very ur-
gent. | should Judge from the liyeli-
ness Of your movements that you
cannot have come on your own ae-
count"
"You are mistaken, sir,N she re-
Piled, Il seek your advice and as
sistance for myself, being at the same
time in perfect health"
81 must ask you to be more ex
plicit," said the doctor, quite mysti
fed.
"To enable you to judge correctly
Of the case, | must explain all th'
circumstances" she said. "To be