Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-12-16

~
wen wen ioue ooush, 'nen LUIS ICING Itoseu'
tes-my his. patient hau oone. in an'
otner lnonon' ms caru was nahoeo u me-
'nn On ~ was ~rI'G @in
MI 'oha'nah Diiioh'
IL.
I entered the room in my most profess
.sional manner, and looking straight before
me at once saw what was unmistakably
"old Dillon" but so much wrapped up
that very little more than quarter of his
face was visible. l can honestly say 1
never noticed Miss Dillon till her father
himself waved small fat hand in her di-
rection, saying:
"My daughter, DR.. Merrifeld she al
ways comes with me wherever I 90, for /
am SO infirm l don't think it safe to be left
alone-but she enjoys excellent health. 4"
| This last remark was said in a mos. deplor.
able tone, and as turned l almost started
with surprise, for old Dillon's daugter was
q small, delicately made girl, who could not
be much more than II wears old, Her
forehead was encircled by the most golden
hair had ever seen, and her face, though
not what could be called extremely beauti.
| full. was vet one of the sweetest I had ever
gazsd at. The expression was go simple.
the large blue ewes were SO innocent and
shy, that for moment I was completely
| lost in wondering how such a man as the
one before me had any right to possess
such a daughter. Miss Dillon was eyi.
IDENTIFY yery retiring, and at this moment
also feeling de trop.
81 dare saw. DR.. Merri6eld. she said.
hurriedly, blushing up to the roots of her
hair. "that there is a room T might sit in
while you hold YOUR Consultation. Papa
never likes me to leave him alcse a minute,
| for fear ANYTHING should baSpen, Any.
! where will do" 1 bowed, and rang the
bell. saving. in a. calm a tone as nossible :.
, "Show Miss Dillon into the study"
The vision of fair hair having disanneared
l gave myself up to the examination of nv
patient. After a careful inquiry l came to
a conclusion which made me certain that
this was the last time / should see Mr.. Dill.
Ion. The truth being there was nothing
much the matter with him. that the old
man was a regular bvpochondriac-in fact.
that all his ailments were imaginary, But
| vet. come what might. / must speak the
truth even for the sake of further fees 7
must not give a dishonest opinion. I
would not be the first of the thirteen to
act a lie.
Mr.. Dillon now began to give me a min.
ute account of his ailments. and TO repeat
the advice of various doctors.
"And now, DR.. Merrifeld, l feel sure
Won will apree with me in thinking II abso.
lutely imperative that I should leave Eng.
land at once, to cure this troublesome
cough"
If only could have agreed with him ::
but no.
"Ouite the contrary. " 7 said calmly. "I
think YOU should stay in ENGLAND. the
finest and most healthy climate for con.
s,;tnt;on ILa yours
"Bless me Bless me r' calculated Mr..
Dillon. loskine distressed, "Do YOU really
think so?"
Without a shadow of doubt, sir"
"Put about exercises / ought to take
very little. of course ?"
mot at all the more YOU walk the bet.
ter it will be for you,"
"You are quite unique, sir. in your
! oniniop-remarkable But about a nre.
scription, doctor. I suppose YOU will
write one for ne, to allay this cough, for
instance ?"
"No," answered, "any ordinary loz.
enge will suffice" I knew now / had
| signed nv death warrant or rather. I
| thought l knew for what was nv sur.
prise when Mr.. Dillon exclaimed:
"My dear sir. Won are the first physician
who has given me No prescription I be
| lieve Won understand nv casa. I hone |
may come and consult YOU as often az I
feel the need of it which need, 1 erieve
( to say, occurs frequently"
| I was amazed. Curious!y enough. for
once the truth had pleased the old man.
but now l was Obliged to answer
81 am sure YOU will find it quite IN.
necessary 20 come again, unless upfore.
seen"
"Tut, tut, DR.. Mortified. not one of nv
many medical advisers ever told me not to
come again. l assure Won / shall come
again, whatever you may cav, and MANY
times, too and I hope to send Others of
the family here We all have wretcbed
constitutions all except Lucia. I've often
wanted her to see a doctor. hut it's no
good the girl never complains. even of
| headache"
This time l really smiled. "I am sure
we doctors are only too glad to see a ladv
in perfect health. The present excited
life which many of them lead" but Mr..
Dillon was not listening to me. for he sud.
denly turned round flor he had risen to
leave), couphed violently. and then. after
a nervous fnmbling among the pockets of
his great coat, he said
BLESS me 7 had nearly forcotten an
important little matter. Believe me, sir. I
never gave a fee with greater measure or
more gratitude" He pressed his fat hand
into mine, and / felt small round thing
slipped dexterously into nv palm. I then
went to release the vision OF fair hair from
my den, and ct once hoped that if Mr.,