Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-08-17
A MEDICAL STUDENTS STORY

Such tricks hath strong imagination,
That if he would but apprehend some joy,
1t comprehends some brighter of that 10y
Or in the night, imagining some fear,
How easy is bush supposed bear,
Shakespeare: Midsummer Nights Dream.
1t was Christmas Eve, bright, keen,
frosty-such night as causes the we'll.
fed citizen to muttle himself and hurry
home with ruddy face and spangled
whiskers, fully prepared to enjoy the
good things of this life, and, while nurs.
ing himself in the genial warmth OF
home, to think with complacent pity OF
the houseless, shivering poor, thankful
that he is not as other men are.
What, after all, would comfort and
pleasure be were it not for a knowledge
and recognition of their antithcses?
But had no home, except you call
the back-garret of my dismal lodging
house such. had no kindly Thoughts
OF the world induced by warmth and
good cheer, actual or prospective, for ]
was friendless and needy.
l was nineteen years Of age and med.
1cal student attending one of the great
London hospitals. Five years before nv
father, who had been reported rich. died
suddenly by his own hand, leaving his
affairs in an lnextricably involved and
embarrassed condition. After things
were made as straight as possible the
creditors generously set apart $50 wear
as some provision for my elder brothe,
and myself, the only and motherless heirs
OF the dead man. One Of them, besides,
offered Charley, who was six years nv
senior, and had been for two years in
our fathers clearinghouse, a situation
IN India, which would open up the Ca
reer for him for which his ambition and
talents fitted him. We were all in all to
each other, Charlie and I, but he was
lifted rather for the world of men, I for
that of books and thoughts. He longed
to be great capitalist and fnancier-to
control the destinies of States and inaugu-
rate gigantic enterprises. I wanted to be
Psychologist and physiclst--to penetrate
INTO the mysteries and marvels ct nature
and learn her secrets. Even in those
early days Charley used to laugh at me
when he found me pouring over some
book beyond my comprehension; but he
would, all the same, help me in my diff
culties and even study little himself tc
make abstruse things plain to me.
He cared for and protected and petted
me, and loved him very dearly in re.
turn.
Now If he went away what should ]
do? We had both been brought up il
luxury, and although I did not fully an
preciate the extent of our reverses, knew
it was necessary for both Of us to choose
some definite walk in life and qualify for
it.
"Don't cry, old fellow" said Charley
with grave face, when I chung to him
and besought him not to leave me. 81
must go, but I will soon return. You
must be brave, Alan, and 60 to school fo1
two or three years yet; then if you still
wish to be doctor, why you can go tt
whatever college is best suited to YOU. ]
have settled all the money on you because
will have my salary and we could no.
both live here on ego year. But work
hard, old boy, and when I come back
we'll enjoy life together. Now don't CRY
so, Alan; hate to leave you, but I must
and you are making it so hard.'
AS he spoke he turned away his head
to hide his tears, but I knew that my
brave brother was resolved, and tried tc
reconcile myself to his departure.
After he had fairly gone I was very
lonely and wretched; but, remembering
his advice, and anxious to succeed on my
own account, I continued my studies
and worked hard at school for two years
and half. The principal had been al
old friend of our fathers and understood
my aims, and, although the yearly boare
and school fees amounted to double tin
sum at my command, he was contentet
with it. and treated me in all things az
his other pupils possible, indeed
more kindly.
When I was ready to matriculate,
selected London as the best field TO-
study, and accordingly took leave of m,
old teacher, who gave me much good ad
vice and q e10 note, making me promis,
to write him constantly. 4 week afte
left school he died Of heart disease
and then I had in all England no FRIEND
or counselor.
During my school life Charley con
stantly wrote long letters to me, giving
an account of himself and his pursuits
and encouraging me to persevere ant
hope, and after arrived in London I re
ceived three letters from him. I lived
as have said, in garnet. I wanted al
my money for books and instruments
and fees, and could have spent trebl
what I had on them, so I chose tn
cheapest lodgings I could find and live;
from hand to mouth. I never was of
morbid or ascetic temperament, al
though I was studious, but injured m,
physical health and sanity by excess
i've study, insufficient food, and alb
stinence from social intercourse with m,
fellow students. Besides, Charley's let
tiers unaccountably stopped, and thi
worried me very much. One day, how
ever, stranger came to visit me at thu
hospital. He was a handsome man O.
about thirty, but did not like his face
1t was not open or brave like Charley S
He said his name was Temple and tina
he had just arrived from India, where HI
had seen my brother, from whom he bore
message. He dearly hoped was work
ing hard and thought he might possibl,
get home in two years. time, but jus
now he was going on long bushes
journey and must not expect any letter
from him for some months. That wa
all.
Mr.. Temple asked me to dine with hin
that evening and after dinner he becam
more confidential. He requested me no
to repeat what he would now tell me, ant
after my promising this, he said he wa
sorry to say that my brother was in bat
way. He had fallen in love, it seemed
with beautiful woman who did not Car,