Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-11-04
MY FIRST FEE.

clergyman. There are hundreds of poor clergy;
naturally their sons can be reckoned By thou
sands 1 know there were thirteen OF US, and
how We all managed 10 find standing room In
our small North Country viearage seems mar
vel to me when look back upon that time OF
growing up. And then the struggle to settle
the professions of eight sonsi Mine was, how
ever soon fixed upon. My aunt's husband, a
Scotchman and an VI. ID. in a country town,
said he would bring me up to his own profess
sion. provided / eventually became his partner,
and in this manner repaid him the cost of my
education.
The proposal sounded well anyhow, it was
accepted. But all the realization was differ
ent He never praised me when j worked my
self almost to death in order to pass brilliant
examinations, and only grunted when at last
came to settle down with him i'm a desperately
dull town. after having come out first on the
list al Edinburgh.
My uncle cared naught for my being Arthur
Merrifeld NJ. ID. ! was to be his white slave
and repay, with hard labor, what he had spent
on me- L honestly tried my best to please
him, the practice increased considerably, but
time went on and still my uncle never spoke
word about money affairs. i was more than
partner as to work, but no partner at all as to
pay
And vet felt that could make q NAME also
fortune, If only could get a fair chance. And
the five girls at home were expecting grand
things OF me, which looked as if they might
never be realized. for even If 4 perseyered till
my uncle died and left me his practice, might
by that time have become gray with age and I'M
able TO begin to make my way.
At last could bear it no longer and one dav
determined to come to an understanding with
him | am sorry to say this ended in regular
quarrel, and L declared / would seek my for
tunes in London. My uncle called me all sorts
of names, which, as they were the reverse of
complimentary, will not repeat, and respect
II should like TO know. sir, how youar going
to find a patient in London?" 1 dad not an
swer him, for was perfectly unable to do so,
but had courage and perseverance. Where
there's will there's a way" / thought, and
thus / left my unce's house, knowing well
enough that should never see penny of his
money.
1 will pass over the many difficulties next
encountered the applause of the other twelve
Is to my conduct. and the regrets of my father.
who had fancied |. at least. was off his mind,
and lastly, the difficulty of finding any one to
lend me some money wherewith to make start.
meant to begin at once in good style; nothing
ventured, nothing have, and was determined
to have one of the best practices in town.
At last part of my dream was realized. But
yet it was all very well to be the occupant of
respcctable-loOking house i'm a quiet London
square; to have gone to the expense of brass
plate on which was neatly engraved ''Dr. Arthur
Merrifeld ;" further to have engaged worthy,
middle-aged female to answer the DIOR, if the
doOr-bell had ever been wrung and the master
inquired for. Alas! L was beginning to feel de-
pressed in mind because no patient appeared,
and no fees filled my pockets.
i had told the five girls at home that nv house
would soon be besieged at all hours of the day
and night had even had night bell attached.
which rung in a deafening manner close to my
ears as lay in bed: and. best of ALL | had con-
trived peep-hole through my window-shutter,
In order to distinguish the rank OF the visitor
who disturbed my slumbers. But up till now
had slept peacefully night after night and |
might have slept all day if | had so wished it,
for no patients had come to ask me to cure
Them ..ti ~ y. ft.-t-
land yet" thought as paced the floor
OF my cOnSulting-ro0m. where no consultation
had ever taken place. and yet that rich young
Jones promised that he would recommend me
to the first of his relations who fell ILL The
constitution of the Jones family must be terribly
good, for am sure the fellow meant what he
said; he is good nature itself. Perhaps / have
been a fool after all, and had better have staid
with my uncle, where at least my food cost
nothing"
You must understand that my spirits had
reached far below zero to be able, even in my
most private thoughts. to wonder anything of
The kfnti, And, curously enough, it was at this
very moment that my front door bell was sud-
denly rung in a furious manner. very nearly
rushed out to open the door myself only was
met by Mrs Davis, who had run up from below.
almost much excited as was at this UMPIRE
cedented event
.'Show the visitor into the consulting room,
Mrs. Davis" whispered. land say you'll see if
j am diseDgaged."
j retired into small study next to the con-
sultng room, and separated from it by folding
doors 1t was here l had my meals, and, be-
sides my bedroom, it was at present the only
furnished room In the house. But hardly had
closed the door when | recognized the loud,
jOvial tones of ''young Jones" who rather I'M
tremendously entered my den.
Tom Jones was the son Of a rich brewer and.
knowing very well that he would come in for
heaps of money. had considered it would really
be waste of time to settle to any profession. He
was. however, gOOd-natured. generous youth
delighted to do a kindness, and with no greater
vice than love of doing nothing useful.
'.Hello, MerriielI" he exclaimed, How are
you? Worked to death, / expect. since you set
mp on your own hook. I've only come to town
this very day, but made point of hunting you
up. as promised. / came at lunch-time for
fear. otherwise. Of finding you closeted with
some rich hypochOndriae"
81 am not very busy just now" answered
"but delighted TO see you at any time"
well. how many fees have you taken?" asked
already ringing with your praises" wished he
would talk on some other subject, but truth
compelled me to answer. carelessly:
NO. no, not yet; these are early days. the
truth is have very few patients. To be quite
open with you, my dear fellow, you are my
first"
Jones jumped up pulled face. and then
gave MS chest mighty slap, intimating he
was perfectly sound in that direction
My dear doctor, / wish / could think there
was anything the matter with me- but upon
my word. L never felt better i'm nv life /
haven't pain or an ache about me- However if
the case is as you say you won't quite despise
my news; fear 1t is not worth more than
guinea fee. but it may lead to more NV rich
uncle. Jonathan Dillon, is coming to consult
you this very afternoon, because told him YOU
are the very man he wanted, but Just locke
In to tell you that he is very crotchety, and you
must just manage him properly. AS to his all
ments, don't believe they are of much cOnse-
Quence, because he has been just the same ever
since l was In arms. Never looks day
older.
''Tll do my best professionally" I said, secret
~ not much believing this rich man wOuld.turn
up las to managing him, am afraid that IS
not In my line"
well. that's pity because If he were to
take fancy to you. you would want other
recommendation. He'll recommend you right
and left, and the whole Dillon class are disgust
tngiy rich. And all inherit asthma or bronchitis
Fact"
1 began to express my thanks, for, In spite of
his of-hand manner felt sure Jones had taken
some trouble aDOut me hut he only Ian,,ha.t of