The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1879-11-21
The Ride with the Doctor.

I'D like to change with any one" said
Patty Hill, as she hung out the last garment
of the wash upon the clothes-lnes, and sat
| down for moment on the grass to rest. cts
work, work, work, from dawn until dusk, and
| get nothing for it but few clothes and my
| living. Jack and will just work ourselves
into our graves and leave nothing behind us
but couple ofpoor children Yes, I'd change
with any one this moment"
"Would your" said voice at her car
"Well, if you will you may I'll show you
| how-but be certain you are right about your
choice"
Patty looked up and saw sitting beside her
a queer old man who went about the country
selling herbs and medicines of his own manu-
facture, and whom the country folks called
doctor-though the faculty assuredly did not
recognize him.
ooh, you heard me, did your" said Patty.
"Well, Doctor, perhaps you don't believe me,
but it's true. Why shouldn't look over there
at the fine houses on the hill and look at my
shanty and see the difference, and see the
ladies in their silks, and with their parasols
over their heads, and me baking my brains in
the sun to wash, and weed the few turnips"
"Stll, there are worse off. You've your
husband and children" said the doctor.
" A poor laborer and a couple of bare-footed
brats," said Patty, who was in her worst mood
Very well" said the DOCTOR come and
take ride with me then and we'll visit some
of these people, and if you want to change
with one of them after that why, I'll give you
n spell and a potion as cheap as you can get
them anywhere, and then you'll be in any ones
shoes you prefer"
" A ride with you" said Patty. "Well l
didn't know you kept your carriage OF any
horses but Shank's mare"
D,,t I 10
DOCTOR
Then all of sudden there was a sort of soft
clatter, and there was little carriage and two
horses standing near.
." Jump in" said the doctor.
" In my old washing dress ?" asked Patty.
CPL give you a wrap" said the doctor; and
he threw over hera sort of gray cloak with
a hood. In moment horses, carriage, and the
doctor and Patty herself, seemed to weigh
nothing, and to be made of something as deli
cate as cobweb; and away they went through
the air, as it seemed to Patty and at last
through the houses, not over the roads.
esquire Burke's place" said the DOCTOR
Now | don't doubt that you'd like to be
Squire Burkes lady"
Indeed | would" said Patty.
:" You must take all her troubles with all her
happiness" said the doctor.
The little invisible carriage and its two in
visible riders were in the room where the
squire's lady sat-. She was dressed in a beau
tiful robe and there were pearls in her ears, but
drops brighter than they were on her lashes,
and her face was distorted with grief and
anger. A gentleman stood near her. He had
papers, bound with red tape, in his hand. His
face was very grave.
Yes, Mr. Grote," the lady was saying, eyes
must do it. know all the truth. have
intercepted his letters; / have watched him.
lie is false to me, as lie has always been cruel
tome. must have divorce. l will go home
to my father-poor father, who loves me so,
and who thought | had made good match"
"Well, whispered the doctor, "will you be
Mrs. Burke"
mo, not for worlds" said Patty. "Think
of Jack? He's as fond of me as the day he
courted me, this minute"
Away went the horses.
This is Miss Minton's," said the doctor.
"Oh, what fairy palace!' said Patty.
And, indeed, twas. Nothingra rare and beau
tiful was missing There were crowds of SER
wants and troops of guests They were play
ing croquet on the lawn, singing in the par
lors, eating fruit under the shade of the trees,
but where was Miss Minton?
Come this way" said the doctor.
an II WOHldn Vi ScllSc, inc lady was
saying, tell me the truth"
"My dear madam" answered the physician,
" there are few women as brave as you are
but dare tell you that though you may live
a year, you may die suddenly at any moment"
You will not be Miss Minton," said the
doctor to Patty.
"No, no, no; Pm the healthiest woman
know" said Patty
Here is the Weathcrby House." said the
doctor.
"Why, what is the matter here?" asked
Patty, as she saw Mrs. Weatherby bending
over a bed in darkened room and weeping
bitterly. care the children sick ?"
The children are dead. Scarlet fever car
ried them off, said the doctor. "Willyou be
Mrs. Weatherby?"
With my two fine boys?" cried Patty
"No, Doctor; drive me home. I've my health,
good husband who loves me, and two dar-
lings that might make any woman proud
What is money in comparison? Drive me
home and thank you, DOCTOR"
In moment more Patty was sitting on the
grass near her own cottage door, with her
elbow in the clothes-basket and her head on
her arm, and Jack, with the babies on his
shoulders, stood by her laughing and crying
out
"Why, here's poor nanny, tired to death,
sound asleep, and no tea ready"
Jack" said Patty, getting up, "you are
the best natured man living to make a Joke of
it, when you come home hungry after your
work, and wouldn't be any one but Patty
Hill for kingdom"