Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-11-24
MY FIRST FEE.

| then the struggle 10 settle the professions Of
eight sons. Mine was, however, soon fixed
upon. My aunts husband a Scotchman,
and an NJ. d. in a country town, said he would
bring me up to his profession provided l
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 diff
ferent He never praised me when worked
myself almost 10 death in order TO pass bril-
liant examinations, and only grunted when
at last came to settle down with him in a
desperately dull town, after having come out
first on the list at Edinburgh.
My uncle cared naught for my being Arthur
Merrifeld, NJ d. l was to be his white slave,
and repay with hard labor what he had spent
on me. honestly tried my best to please
him the practice increased considerably but
time went on, and still my uncle never spoke
a word about money affairs. l was more than
partner as to work, but no partner at all as
to pay.
And yet felt that l could make name,
also fortune, if only 1 could get a fair
chance. And the five girls at home were ex-
pectiug grand things of me, which looked as
though they might never be realized for even
il persevered till my uncle died and left
me his practice, l might by that time have
become gray with age.
AT last | could bear it no longer, and one
dny determined to come TO an understanding
with him. l am sorry to say this ended in a
quarrel. and declared would seek my for
tune in London. My uncle called me ali sorts
of names, which, as they were the reverse of
complimentary, will not repeat, and | re-
spectfully disagreed with him. His last words
| were
II should like to know, sir, how you are
going to find patient in London z" did not
answer him, for | was perfectly unable to do
so but l had courage and perseverance,.
Where there's will, there's a way" l
thought, and thus 1 left my unce's house,
knowing well enough that l should never see
| penny of his money.
will pass over the many difficulties / next
encountered; the applause of the other
twelve as to my conduct and the regrets of
my father, who had fanced l, at least, was
off his mind, and lastly the difficulty of find
| ing any one to lend me some money where
| with to make start / meant to begin at
once in good style nothing venture nothing
have, and l 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 occu-
pant of respectable. looking house in quiet
London square; to have gone to the expense
of a brass plate on which was neatly engrav-
| cd DIR. Arthur Merrifeld - further, to have
engaged a worthy middle aged female to an
swer the door, if the door bell had ever been
rung and the master inquired for Alas l
was beginning to feel depressed in mind be-
cause no patient appeared and no 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 a night
bell attached, which rung in a deafening
manner close to my ears as lay in bed and,
best of all, l had contrived q peephole
through my window shutter in order to dis
| tiuguish the rank Of the visitor who disturb
ed 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 pa
tients had come to ask me to cure them.
And yet, thought, as paced the floor
of my consulting room, where no consulta-
tion had ever taken place, land yet that rich
| young Jones promised that he would recon-
mend me to the first of his relations VINO fell
| i'll. The constitution of the Jones family
must be terribly good, for l am sure the fel-
low meant what be said he is good nature
itself. Perhaps had been fool, after all,
and had better have stayed 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 front door bell was
| suddenly rung in a furious manner 1 very
nearly rushed out to open the door myself,
/ was met by Mrs Davis, who had run up
from below almost much excited as l was
at this unprecedented event.
"Show the visitor into the consulting room,
Mrs. Davis, whispered, land say you'll see
! if 1 am disengaged,"
retired into a small study next to the con.
sulting room and separated from it by fold
ing doors. 1t was here had my meals, aud,
| besides my bedroom, it was at present the on
| ly furnished room in the house. But hardly
had closed the door when 1 recognized the
| loud jovial tones of young Jones'" who
rather unceremoniously entered my den.
Tom Jones was the son of a rich brewer,
| and, knowing very well that he would come
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 a
love of doing nothing useful.
"Hello, Merrifeld!' he exclaimed, "how
are you? Worked to death, l expect, since
you set up on your own hook. I've only
come to town this very day, but made a
| point of hunting you up, as l promised. l
came at lunch time, for fear, otherwise, of
finding you closrted with some rich hypo-
chondrac."
II am not very busy just now, answered,
"but delighted to see you at any time"
"Well, how many fees have you taken :"
asked the irropressible Jones. "Of course,
London is already ringing with your praises"
l wished lie would talk on some other subject,
but truth compelled me to answer carelessly:
mo, 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 bia chest a MIGHTY Sian init.
mating he was perfectly sound in that direo-
! ton.
my dear doctor, wish could think there
was anything the matter with me, but, upon
my word, | never felt better in my life. 1
haven't pain or an ache about me. Howev-
or, if the case is as you say, you wont quite
despise my news l fear its not worth more
than guinea fee, but it may lead to more
! My rich old uncle, jonathan Dillon, is COM
ing to consult you this very afternoon, be-
cause l told him you were the very man he
wanted but Just looked in to tell you that
he is very crotchety, and you must manage
him properly. As to his ailments, l don't be-
lieve they are of much consequence, because
he has been just the same ever since | was in
arms. Never looks day older"
I'm do my best professionally, 1 said, Sc
cretly believing this rich man would not turn
up. 'As to managing him, l am afraid that
is not in my line.
"Well, that's pity, because if he were to
take fancy to you you would want no other
recommendation. He'll recommend you right
and left, and the whole Dillon class are dis
gustngly rich. And all inherit asthma or
bronchitis. Fact"
began to express my thanks, for in spite
of his of hand manner felt sure Jones had
taken some trouble about me, but he only
laughed at my gratitude,
Don't mention it, Besides, old Dillon
may take dislike to you. However, he
mustn't find me here perhaps he wouldn't
believe had come to consult YOU though
did tell him you were the oleyerest fellow in
London. And so you are, in my opinion l
wouldn't mind telling the Queen as much if
had the chance" And then he was gone.
/ Rut M onca mora he turnad hack