The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1881-02-22
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A Physicians Story,

I HAD been six years surgeon in the
Il navy, and for the last two of these
six years 1 had been cruising on
that dreadful Gold Coast. Perhaps 1
was not the best tempered man in the
service, but thought 1 was badly treat
ed. The Admiralty and had slight
disagreement, and the end was that /
threw up my commission in disgust
My health was much broken, and while
was recruiting my strength at little
Devon village did the one thing which
have never regretted-fell in love with
good girl and married her. 1 had a
certain amount of money, which I in
vested in a country practice; and for
some time all well with us.
But we were not to escape without our
share of trouble. My health which
had suffered more seriously than L i'm
agined during my period of service,
broke down; my practice went to the
dogs; we got deeply into debt, and, to
make long story short, three years
after my marriage, one miserable Sun
day in November, found my wife and
myself with our two little children, oc-
cupying single poor room in Grenville
street off Guildford street.
We had then been in London about
six months, and 1 had been unable
chiefly on account of my precarious
health-to get any thing to do. About
month, however, before the day 1 speak
of, my only friend in London had held
out hope of obtaining for me the post
of private physician to a wealthy rela-
tive. But my friend had been compell-
ed suddenly to go abroad, and though he
was daily expected back yet three weeks
had now passed, and had gone to his
house in Kensington day after day
without getting any tidings of him.
Meanwhile our little stock of money
was quite exhausted; and on this Sunday
evening, with month g rent due next
day, my wife and sat before a misera-
BILE apology for a fire, with absolute
want staring us in the face. We had
not quite shilling left, and when L
looked at my sleeping children and
thought of the future, l fairly broke
down in utter despair. 1t was then 1
found what treasure had in the noble
woman by my side. Affecting a cheer
fulness which she could not feel, she
impaired to me portion of her own
courage,and at length induced me-anx-
ious to please her, and glad to do any
thing rather than sit powerless-to 90
once more to my friends house.
1t was 10 O'Clock, on cold drizzling
night, when set out on my walk. 1
somehow felt kind of fictitious hope
fulness and walked briskly, resolutely
shutting out the thought of failure.
stood some time at my friends door
before dared to ring the bell that would
change my hopes or my fears into GER
tainty; and when at last the servant who
answered my ring told me that her
master had not yet returned, 1 fairly
staggered into chair in the hall, over
come with disappointment.
The woman seeing my condition,
brought me little brandy, which re-
vived me somewhat; but it was some
time before l felt able to move, and it
struck midnight as left the door for
my long and cherries walk. The rain
fell in steady drizzle, but though 1
was lightly clad 1 never needed it;
my thoughts were fixed on my poor
wife sitting alone and Watching for me,
and on the wretched news 1 was bring
ing her. l walked on, needless of the
bitter cold and constant rain, feeling the
numbness of misery in my heart.
How 1t happened do not know, but
somehow lost my way, and after wan
dering aimlessly for some time, found