Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1878-09-05
NUMBER FOUR.
BY NELLIE HAMILTON.


/ once thought "there was luck in odd
numbers" But when ] see Miss Ma
rianne, (now Mrs. DR.. Goodspeed,)
buxom and forty, now radiant with
smiles, on the platform Of the cars,
just returning from a wedding tour,
| take that peculiarly feminine privi-
lege of just changing my mind.
Yes, Mrs. Goodspeed, No 4, the
bride of week, stands looking ad-
miringly upon her husband What
good thing has he done TO become the
owner of four rich wives? l have
known the doctor all my life, and
must confess he was a good man, who
made his daily rounds in an easy-car-
riage. He did not often make mis-.
takes. reCollect that he once sent
arsenic to an unfortunate patient when
he intended to give quinine and on
another occasion morphine instead Of
Sedlitz powders. But the patients
died easy and besides, they were
getting infrm, and could not have
lived long but never heard that
any mistake of that kind had anything
to do with the demise of the departed
three.
But We must not leave the newly.
married pair any longer-indeed, we
have already been absent too long
for it rams, and the doctors fine
broadcloth, and his wife's grey pop
lin dress will not be improved by the
large falling drops. But the lady still
smiles; and an old maid, with thin,
sharp face, standing in the door of the
depot, says it is because she is so de-
lighted to get married
An awkward, half grown young
man, with vacant expression Of
countenance, drives up with that easy
carriage. He is the DOCTORS asss-
tant for phrenologist told him
years ago that he would rise high in
the medical profession some day, if
he employed his talents in that direc
ton. He has now been studying Wig
orously for fourteen months, and has
been able, within the last fortnight, to
tell the difference between hyoscya-
mas, and digitalis, which is hopeful
sign; and he is, also, sole possessor
OF an aquarium, occupied at present
by a frog and two leeches. These
indications of learning and deep re.
search give him already much impor.
lance throughout the village.
The student greets the doctor and
his bride cordially, but bluntly. He
has noticed that distinguished physi-
clans are usually unpublished and gruff
in manner and he affects bluntness
on that account.
Once seated in his carriage, the
doctor feels very comfortable, for he
does not like to travel; and short
drive brings them TO his own dwelling
which ride boy across the way per-
sists in calling pill-box. The twain
entered the door, and for the first
time the bride beheld the interior of
her new abode. The rooms were
dark and gloomy-for the shutters
were closed, and the housekeeper sad
and silent. A neighbor called the
doctor away for professional advice,
and his wife seated himselfin an arm
chair by the fire. While doing so, the
town clock struck four.
She was not nervous woman, but
being somewhat fatigued with travel
ing, her thoughts could not be easily
controlled. eyes," thought she, "the
very clock at my entrance reminds
me that l am the fourth wife )" and
the thought, for the first time, gave
her pain. She was glad that her hus-
bands stay was protracted, so that
her medi.ations might not be disturb
ed. In few moments she fell asleep
and entered the land of dreams.
She is transported to a neat farm
house. The floor is covered with a
gay, striped carpet, and the fire sends
cheerful glow from the old fashioned
fireplace. An old lady and her hus-
band sat prim and upright in their
Sunday attire and few friends and
neighbors are ranged silently round
the room. Soon the door opens, and
a young man in new homespun clothes
appears, ruddy with health and hap
piness. The brown curls cluster
round his noble brow, and the gentle
creature, leaning on his arm, looks
trustingly to him. Her muslin dress,
and wreath of pure white flowers, as.
sures that she is about to become a
bride, even before the venerable pas.
tor speaks the words that make them
one. Something tells No. that this
young man is the doctor, with his
first and only love, the bride of his
youth.
The scene is changed. She stands
by an open grave. The same clergy.
man is there, but his voice is choked
with sobs, for he can find no words to
soothe that young stricken husband,
whose darling Lucy, with her infant
child resting apon her bosom, are be-
ing lowered into the grave, there to
rest until the resurrection morning.
Again she sees her husband, still
young, although his face wears sad
expression. He is talking with q
woman who is weeping. Her deep
mourning dress tells her that she is a
widow and the doctor has attended
her deceased husband in his last i'll.
ness. They sit together on the porti-
co of her pleasant cottage, and their
talk becomes more cheerful. The
silver moon beams brightly, and the
hours pass UNDECIDED away The
doctor still lingers,for they have SYM
pathized with each others sorrows
until he feels that life might stall be
cheerful, could he win this yet hand
some woman to gladden. his Preside
| A few low words are spoken, and an
other bride brings gladness to his
lonely dwelling. But the charm Of
youths bright dream is gone; each
have past memories upon which they
dwell alone. Death claimed her IN 8
few short months, and she joyfully
obeyed the summons, for she looked
forw ard to a bright reunion with the
husband of her early days.
No violent grief betrayed the sor
row of the bereaved husband. Blu
anotL y shadow rested on his heart
for many an unseliish act OF the de