Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1883-02-22
MY FIRST FEE.
CHAPTER /.

we're hundreds OF poor ClergVmen
naturally their SONS can be reckCned
by thousands. ! know there were 13
OF us, and how we all managed to find
standing room in our small, North
Country vicarage seems marvellous to
me when | look back on that time OF
growing up. And then he struggle to
settle the professions of eight sons!
Mine was however, soon fixed upon.
Ny aunt's husband, scOtchman, and
an M. d. in country town, said he
would bring me up to his own profess
sion, provided eventually become his
partner, and in this manner paid him
the cost of my education.
The proposal sounded well; anyhow,
it was accepted. But ahl the realiza-
ton was different. He never praised
mo when | almost worked myself to
death in order to pass brilliant exam
nations, 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 Edinburg.
Ny 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. /
honestly tried my best to please him.
The practice increased considerably,
out time went on and still 10Y uncle
never spoke a word about money af.
fairs. | was more than partner as to
work, but no partner ut all AZ to pay
And yet | felt as though | could
make a name, also a fos tune, ii only ]
could get fair chance. And the five
girls at home were expecting grand
things Of me which looked as though
they might never be realized: for even
if persevered till my uncle died and
left me his practice, might by that
time have become gray with age and
unable to begin to make my way.
At last could bear it no longer and
one day | determined to come to an
understanding with him. lam sorry
to say that this ended in regular
quarrel, and declared | would seek
my fortune in London. My uncle call
ed me all sorts of names, which, as
they were the reverse Of complimon.
tary, will not repeat, and | respect
fully disagreed with him: His last
words were:
~ should like to know, sir, how you
are going to find patient in London"
| did not answer him, for / was per.
iectly unable to do SO, but | had oour-
age and perseverance,. "Where there's
viii there's way" | thought; and
thus / left my uncle's house, knowing
well enough that | never should see a
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 fan
Cied that |, ut 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 n
once in good style; nothing venture
nothing have, and | was determined
TO have one OF the best practices II
town.
AT last a part Of my dream was re
allied. But yet it was all very we'll t.
be the occupant of a very respectable
looking house maquiet london square
to have gone to the expense OF brass
plate ON which was neatly engraved
DIR. Arthur Merri6eld." further tC
nave engaged worthy, middle agec
female to answer the door, if the door
bell had ever been rung and the mas
Ter inquired for, Alas l was begin
ing to fG-'l depressed in mind becaus,
no patients appeared, and no fees filled
my pockets,
had told the five girls at home tina
my house wodld soon be beseiged at al
hours of the day and night. had ever
a night bell attached, which rung in
deafening manner close to my ears a
| lay in bed; and, best ofall, / had con
triyed a peep hole through my window
shutter, in order to distinguish tn,
rank of the visitor who disturbed M,
slumbers. But up till now had slep
peacefully night after light, and
might have slept all day il | had $,
wished, for no patients had come to ash
me TO cure them.
"And yet" thought, rs paced tn,
door of my consulting room, where M
consultation had ever tax en- place
land yet the rich young Jones promise c,
that be would reoomm end me to tn,
inst o. his relations who fell ILL., Tn,
constitution of the Jones family mus
be terribly good, for | am sure the fel
low meant what he said; he is goO'
nature itself. Perhaps / have been
fool after all, and had better hav
stayed with my uncle, where, at least
my food cost nothing.
You must understand that my spirit
mad reached far below zero to be able
even in my most private thoughts, {,
wonder anything of the kind. And
curiousiy enough, IL was at this yer,
moment that my front door bell wa
suddenly rung, i. a furious manner.
very nearly rushed ont to open tn,
door myself, only l was met by Mrs
Davis, who had rum up from below nj
most AS much excited ITS ] was NJ thu
unprecedented event.
"ShUw the visitor into the cOnsullin.
room, Mrs. Davis" | whispered, "anC
say you'll see if / am disengagcd'
l retired into q small study next h,
the consulting room, and separated
from it by folding doors Ii was her,
had my meals, and besides my bed