The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1882-08-11
SELECT STORY.
HIS FIRST PATIENT.
BY FRANK II. STAUFFER.

DR.. Paul Ventnor sat alone in his of
fee, his hands crossed on his knees, his
eyes fixed upon vacancy, the light from
the side-jet falling upon his worn, anx.
ious face.
The room was barely comfortable.
The floor was covered with mating.
The wall paper was shabby, but was
cheerfully relieved by few cheap, yet
brightly colored, chromcs, and the
heavily gilt frame which inclosed his
diploma. A desk somewhat Uttered, a
book lease but partially filled, an old
fashioned sofa, and a few stuffed, stiff
backed chairs, were all the furniture
visible. We say visible, because with
in small, curtained alcove, were low,
narrow bedstead, and dingy toilet
stand, in keeping with the cracked
wash-bowl and pitcher which surmount-
ed it, and with the rickety towel-rack
which stood eside it.
The doctor was quite young man,
prepossessing i'll appearance, and posi-
tive in his manner-his grave, thought
full face indicating character and fair
degree of reserved strength. His cloths
had a seedy look; they were entire, but
much worn, frayed around the button
holes, the faded binding rendered less
noticeable by the application of ink.
In fact, the doctor was very poor, and
the out look for the future was in no
wise encouraging. He had been locat-
ed in that quarter of the city for three
months, and yet had not received a
single professional call. He had spent
his means, and had been compelled to
pawn his surgical instruments and a
few of his books; he was in arrears for
boarding, while the landlord had given
him notice to vacate the room.
The doctor was not to blame for his
Strengthened circumstances. He had
practiced rigid economy; he had nailed
up his sign and distributed his circulars;
he was at least theoretically well up in
his profession; his address was in his
favor, he had patiently waited. There
was not much sickness in the neighbor-
hood, and what little patronage there
was went into the hands of the older
practitioners. No wonder that the
Young doctors attitude was fororn
one, and the expression on his face al
most devoid of hope.
Suddenly his countenance frightened.
Some one had pulled the bell, Who
else, if not a patient? lie opened the
door, and a lady entered. She was
closely veiled, and yet he knew that she
was young, because of the elasticity in
her movements.
"You are DIR Ventnor?" she asked,
her voice sweet and distinct, though
slightly tremulous
"At your service, madam" he an
swered, with polite bow. "Pray, be
seated
She took the chair which he placed
for her, and removed her veil; and as
she did so, he noticed that her hand
was small, white, shapely and bejewel
ed, Her face was exceedingly fair,
though it wore troubled look. Hel
eyes were black aud lustrous. They
made rapid survey of the room, and
then rested upon the doctors face in
such steady, calculating, estimating
way, that he felt the blood filling his
cheeks.
81 wish You to call upon my father,
she said.
"To-night?' asked the doctor,
"Well--no," she debatngly answer
ed. "To,morrow will do. tell you be
forehand, it's an odd case, and ba |
one, If you succeed in relieving hin
you have only to name your fee"
"What is his malady' 7" asked tn,
doctor.
"lIe's hypocondriac,' she slowly
halfunwillingly admitted, the colo
coming and going in her face, "lIe ha
strange halucination, and if he is no
lifted ont of it it will end in his death.
The doctor was becoming fasciuate,
with the sweet voice, the graceful gest
ures, the black eyes, which grew NOR
lustrous because anxiety had filled then
with tears, He drew his chair neare
to her own.
"You have consulted other physi
cians?' he asked,
"Quite a number she replied, Il Iii
tie hurriedly, "Some of the best in tn
city"
"Without success 7"
"Oh, of course;" and she spoke wit
impatience, "rhcy had no--no Inter
tions. They argued, and--hooted
There was something charming abou
those pauses in the choice of words
"Iou think they should have humo
ed him7" the doctor asked.
"Yosp she answered. her face briph