The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-04-29
Kate's Leap Year Party.

"No place for me !" muttered DR..
Elwell. lin barren, plodding ex-
istence like mine there is no room for
even glimpse of such gay butterfly life
as this"
The young man stood in corner with
folded arms and forbidding aspect.
making himself unnecessarily miser-
able. Unnecessarily, because he ought,
with bis good looks, good health and
youth, to have been able to cast aside
the cares of his daily life, and take
whatever of pleasure or happiness came
in his way. To be sure, he had some
excuse for thinking that he was singled
out to be different rom other men, and
that his twenty-five years shou d carry
the wisdom and soberness of fifty; for
lie was the only son OF his mother, and
she was a widow" Moreover, that
mother had been left poor and with
three little gir S to bring up and educate
the eldest of them many wears the
Junior their brother whom they idol
lzed. Yes, William Elwell was hero
to four loving hearts that watched his
self-made career as he worked himself
through college, teaching and doing all
kinds OF work that he could get to do in
one term, in order that he might spend
the next in his beloved study, through
vacation and holidays bending efforts
toward earning little for those who
loved him, working with eager haste
and desperate energy, the sooner to
grasp the knowledge he sought and
nnish the course. He had finished at
last with honors; but honors are empty
and unremunerative. He had found a
country village where-marvel to relate
there were not already more physi-
clans than patients, had established
himself there in the plainest manner
which would possibly answer for a
newly -hedged Nj. D., and-waited.
And all through the self-denial and
hardship, through the uncertainty and
waiting, he had carried light heart, a
sunny temper and a firm trust in Provi-
dence. AT last his waiting mother and
sisters had receive jubilaut letter; he
had q patient, Squire Burleigh, the
wealthiest man in H. The old
physician was away on a professional
visit to the country. Squire Burleigh
was attacked with severe cold which
aggravated his chronic bronchitis, he,
Dr. Elwell," was called, was lucky,
gave the old gentleman the advantage of
some ol his advanced views, and, thank
neaVen! he had placed himself under
treatment and taken the young doctor
up in wonderful friendly STYLE.
And Just at this point, when his for
tune seemed to be made, Immediately
after his rejoicing and triumphant letter
to the dear ones at home, he had sud
denly becon morose and sullen, his
letters were gloomy and misanthropic
and his views OF life cynical and bitter.
How to account Tor this change was a
mystery. His loving mother feared that
her boy was i'll; but this he stoutly de-
MED; and tIuly, his firm. elastic step,
clear eye and ruddys complexion gave
no indications OF jaundice or dyspepsia.
AS for ne W acqu iIntances, perhaps they
set the doctor down as rather too stern
for so young a man; but they were
obliged to wait for further developments
to find the key TO his behavior, and we
will do the same, taking occasion to
observe the different personages at this
brilliant gathering in Squire Burleigh {
parlors, while DIR. Elwell ohews the cud
OF bitter meditation in his corner. The
squire, genial gentleman of fifty, was
making himself agreeable to young and
old-for this was a "fLnIily party -
and his daught T, the brown- eyed and
golden-haired Miss Edith, distributed
her smiles and attentions with Charming
impartiality, drawing together those ol
similar tastes, finding partners for less
attractive girls, making bashful youths
feet at home, exchanging sparkling sal
hus with gentlemen OF a witty turn, and