Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1882-10-27

that my front door bell was suddenly
r,lng in furious manner. livery nearly
rushed out to open the door myself only
| was met by Mrs. Davis, who had run
up from below, almost Ms much excited
ne ] was at this unprecedented event.
SHOW the visitor into the consulting
room, Mrs. Davis" whispered, Sand
say you'll see if am disengaged.
| retired into q small study next to the
consulting room, and separated from it
by folding doors. 1t was here had my
meals, and, besides my bedroom, it was
at present the only furnished room in the
house. But hardly had closed the door
when l recognized the loud, jovial tones
of young Jones" who rather unceremo-
niously entered my den.
Tom Jones was the son of II rich brewer,
and, knowing very well that he would
come i'll for heaps of money, had consid-
cred it would really be waste of time to
settle to any profession. He was, how
ever, COOL natured, generous youth,
! delighted to do n kindness, and with no
greater vice than love of doing nothing
useful.
Hello, Merrifeld !" he exclaimed,
chow are you? Worked to death, | ex-
pect, since you set up on your own hook
I've only come to town this very day, but
l made point of hunting You up, as
promised. l came at lunch time, for
fear, otherwise, of finding you closeted
with some rich hypochondriac.
81 am not very busy Just now" I an
swered, "Lut delighted to see you at any
time"
"Well, how many fees have you taken ?"
asked the irrepressible Jones. "Of
course, London is already ringing with
your praises" l wished lie would talk
on some other subject, but truth COM
PEELED Inc to answer, carelessly:
mo, no, not yet 4; these are early days !;
the truth is have very few patients. To
be quite open with yen, my dear fellow,
you are my first
Jones jumped up, pulled face, and
then gave his chest a mighty slap, init
mating he was perfectly sound in that di-
rection.
"My dear doctor, | wish / could think
there was anything the matter with me,
but, upon my word, l never felt better in
my life. / haven't a pain orr an ache about
me. However, if the case is as you say,
you won't quite despise my news l fear
it is not worth more than guinea fec,
but it may lead to more. My rich old
uncle, Jonathan Dillon, is coming to con-
suit You this very afternoon, because
told him you were the very man he want
ed, but just looked in to tell you that
he is very crotchety, and you must man.
age him properly. As to his ailments, 1
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"
"Ill domy best, professionally, l said,
secretly believing this rich man would
not turn up. Gas 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
no other recommendation. He'll recon-
mend You right and left, and the whole
Dillon class are disgustingly rich. And
ALI inherit asthma or bronchitis Fact.
began to express my thanks, for, in
spite of his otl-hand manner, | felt sure
Jones had taken some trouble about me,
but he only laughed at my gratitude.
Don't mention it. Besides, old Dill
lon 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
cleverest fellow in London. And so you
are, III my opinion; l wouldn't mind tell
ing the queen as much, if ! had the
chance. And then he was gone. Int
no, once more he turned back.
81 say, Merritield, old billions dnugh-
ter is sure to come with him he never
goes out without her; perfect slave he
makes of that girl ~
1t was toward o'clock on winters
afternoon that carriage and pair dashed
up to my door then grand footman
jumped down from the box and gave the
correct announcement of my first patient
| had Just time to escape to my den be-
fore the front door was opened. L heard
voices, then loud cough, then door. be-
ing closed. Yes-my first patient had
come. In another moment his card was
handed to me, and on it was written:
"Mr. Jonathan Dillon"