Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1882-06-08
A PHYSICIANS REWARD.

/ had been SIX years n surgeon IN the
navy, and for the last two of these six
wears had been cruising on that dread
full Gold Coast. Perhaps I was not the
best tempered man in the service, but |
thought was badly treated. The Adj
miralty 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 in little Devon village, l
did the one thing which l have never
regretted, fell in love with good girl
and married her. / had acertaln amount
of money, which invested in country
practice; and for some time all went well
with us,
But we were not to escape our share
of trouble. My health. which had suf-
fered more seriously than l imagined
during my period of service, broke down;
nv practice went to the dogs; we got
deeply INTO debt. and, to make long
story short, three years after my mar
riage, one miserable Sunday in Novem-
Der, Hound my wife and myself, with our
two little children occupying a single
Door room in Greenvllle street of Guild
ford street.
We had then been in London about six
months. and 7 had been unable-chietiy
on account of my precarious health-to
get anything to do. About a month.
however, before the day l speak of, my
only friend in London had held out a
hope of obtaining for me tue post of pri-
vate physician to wealthy relative.
But my friend had been compelled sud-
denly to go abroad, and though he was
daily expected back, yet three weeks
had now passed, and had gone to his
home in Kenslngton day after day with
out any tidlngs of him.
Meanwhile our little stock of money
was quite exhausted; everything that
can be spared was sold or pawned; and
on this Sunday evening, with months
rent due next day, my wife and sat be-
fore miserable apology for fire, with
absolute want staring us In the face.
We had not quite a shilling left, and
when | looked at my sleeping children
and thought of the future. fairly broke
down in utter despair. 1t was then L
found what treasure l had III the noble
woman by my side. Affecting cheer
fulness which she could not feel, she i'm
parted to me portion of her own cour-
age, and at length induced me-anxious
to please her, and glad to do anything
rather than sit powerless-to go once
to nay friends house.
It was ten o'clock, on a cold drizzling
night, when 1 sat out on my walk. l
somehow felt kind of fictitious hope
fuluess and walked briskIy, resolutely
shutting out the thought of failure |
stood some time at my friends door be-
fole dared to ring the bell that would
change my hopes or my fears into cer-
tainty; and when at last the servant who
answered my ring told me that her mas
ter had not yet returned, fairly stag
gered into chair III the hall, overcome
with disappointment.
The woman, seeing my condition,
brought me a little brandy, which re-
vived me somewhat; but it was some
time before / felt able to move, and it
struck midnight as left the door for
nv long and cheerless walk. The rain
fell in o steady drizzle, but though |
was lightly clad never needed it; my
thoughts were fixed on my poor wife
sitting alone and watching for me, and
On the wretched news / was bringing
her. I walked on, needless of the bitter
cold and of the constant rain, feeling the
numbness of misery in my heart.
How it happened do not know, but
somehow l lost my way, and after wan
dering aimlessly for some time, l found
that [ was in q street that l did not
know-the Gray's Inn Road, as after
ward learned. could see no one to
direct me, and was walking on rather
anxiously when / stumbled over the form
of a man, who was lying half out of the
covered entrance of wretched court.
For few yards / walked, too absorbed
in my own troubles to think Of aught
else; but then, thank God, thought of
I the unfortunate man lying III the rain,
and as q doctor, felt, perhaps more
strongly than | otherwise should, that ii
was my duty to go back and assist him
If possible. There was gas-lamp in
the entrance TO the court, and by it
was enabled to see that the PROSTATE fig
ure was that of a singularly tall aud
powerfully built man; and on closer
inspection I was surprised to find that
his dress was that Of gentleman. AT
once I though that he had been robbed
and perhaps murdered; but, taking his
hand to feel his pulse, | saw that he had
q remarkably handsome diamond ring
on his finger, and the beating OF his
pulse though very FAINT showed me that
he was not.
Then I thought with something oi
contempt, that / had a case of mere
drunkenness to deal with; but yet OIL
careful examination 1 could detect nc
fume of spirits, and the FAINT action ot
his heart at length convinced me tina,
the man was in state of complete ex
haustion, probably from want OF food,
With considerable labor, in my weal
condition, managed-half lifting, hal
dragging him-to convey him into the
covered passage, and determined to stay
with him until some passer-by would
assist me. had not waited long whel
a half -tipsy woman, walking past, look
ed into the passage and came over tx
see what was the matter. She lookeC
keenly at me and at my unconsciou
patient, and noticed her eye cleaned a
she caught sight OF a massive &c Id chail
on his vest.
| oo1-od boy to cro Of onca and fetch ss