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

Cdh NC ~ thOuo~hNe. hhOh
there were thirteen of us, and how We all
managed to find standing room in our
small North Country vicarage seems a
marvel TO me when look back upon that
time of growing up. And then the strug.
gle to settle the professions of eight sons |.
Mine was, however. soon fixed upon. My
aunt's husband, ScotchTan, and an NJ.
ID. in country town, said he would bring
me up TO his own profession, provided
eventually became his partner and in this
manner repaid him the cost of my educa-
tion.
The proposal sounded well; anyhow it
was accepted. But, ah the realization
was different. He never praised me when
1 worked myself almost to death in order
to pass brilliant examinations, and only
grunted when at last l came to settle down
with him in desperately dull town. after
having come out first on the list at Edin-
burgh.
My uncle cared naught for my being Ar
thur Merrifeld, NJ. d. l 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. was more than a
partner as to work, but no partner at all as
to pay.
And yet felt tina. could make name,
also fortune, if only could get 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 # l psrsevered till my uncle died
and Left me his practice, might by that
time have become gray with age and una.
BILE to begin to make my way.
At last l could bear it no longer, and one
day determined to come to an understand
ing with him. 1 am sorry to say this
ended in a regular quarrel, and declared
l would seek my fortunes in London. My
uncle called me all sorts of names, which,
as they we're the reverse of complimentary,
1 will not repeat, and l respectfully disa-
greed with him. His last words were
sc l should like to know, sir, how you are
going to find a patient in London :" l did
not answer him, for was perfectly unable
to do SO, but l had courage and persever-
ance. Where there's will there's a
way" thought, and thus | left my un-
cle's house, knowing well enough that
should never see penny of his money.
l will pass over the many difficulties
next encountered the applause of the
okuSt wv CIV q as " III CO1uuCb, anu pn6 re-
grets 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 venture, nothing have, and 1 was
determined to have one of the best prac.
tees in town.
AT last part of my dream was realized.
But yet 1t was all very well to be the &C.
cupant Of a respectable-looking house in
quiet London square; to have gone to the
expense Of a brass plate, on which was
neatly engraved CDR. Arthur Merrifeli :"
further to have engaged a worthy, middle.
aged female to answer the door if the door,
bell had ever been rung and the master in.
quired for. Alas l was beginning to feel
depressed in mind because no patient ap-
peared, and 10 fees filled my pockets.
had told the five girls at home that my
house would soon be besieged at all hours
of the day and night. | had even had
night-bell attached, which rung in deaf
ening manner close to my ears as l lay in
bed and, best of all, l had contrived
psep.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 l might have slept all day if |
had so wished it, for no patients had come
to ask me to cure them.
"And yet" l thought, as 1 paced the
floor Of my consulting room, where no con.
cultation had ever taken place, and yet
that rich young Jones promised that he
would recommend me to the first of his
relations who fell i'll. 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 l have
been fool after all, and 1 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 kind. And, curiously
enough, it was at this very moment that
my door bell was suddenly rung in furi.
GUS manner. l very nearly rushed out to
open the door myself, only l was met by
Mrs. Davis, who had run up from below,
almost as much excited as l was at this
unexpected event.
room, Mrs Davis, whispered, "and say
you'll see if l am disengaged."
retired into small study next to the
folding. doors. 1t was here had my meals,
and, besides my bedroom, it was at present
the only furnished room in the house. Bat
hardly had | closed the door when / recog.
nized the loud, jovial tones of "young
Jones, who rather unceremoniously en-.
tered nay 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, a
good. natured, generous youth, delighted to
do kindness, and with no greater vice
than love OF doing nothing useful
Hello, Merriteld y he exclaimed,
81 how are you? Worked to death, l ex.
pect, since you set up on your hook. I've
only come to town this very day, but
made point of hunting you up, as Iprom.
ised. l came at lunch-time, for fear,
otherwise, of finding you cioseted with
some rich hypochondriac."
al am not very busy just now," l an.
swered, but delighted to see you at any
time.
"Well, how many fees have you taken p
asked the irrepressible Jones. "Of course
London is already ringing with your
praises" I wish he would talk on some
other subject, but truth compelled me to
answer csrelessly:
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 bis chest mighty slap, intimating he
was perfectly sound in that direction.
My dear doctor, l wish could think
there was anything the matter with me,
but, upon my word, never felt better in
my life. haven't pain or an ache abou;
me. However, if the case is as you say,
you won't quite despise my news; fear
it is not worth more than guinea fee, but
it may lead to more. My rich old uncle,
Jonathan Dillon is coming to consult You