Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1884-06-27

their hands folded and their faces drawn
up into solemn knots, ready TO do duty as
mourners, at moments warning. Ocea-
sionally, one old woman at n time would
tip-toe softly to the bedside of the invalid,
clasp her hands, roll up her eyes, and re-
turn noiselessly TO her seat, perhaps re-
marking, In an audible whisper, to her
next neigh5or, "poor thing she seems TO
be sinkiug"" or some other equally cheer
ing bit Of news. In one corner Of the room
were seated two little boys, trying TO look
demure and sad, with their feet dang
ling in the air. Finally, one Of them slip
ped down, and proceeded to pet a cat,
which seemed TO be imbued with the gen.
cral feeling of silence pervading the apart
ment. Bu. he WAS Immediately called to
order by rigid female, who had mounted
guard over him.
George" was shricked, In a harsh
whisper, "come back to your seat! Amt
you ashamed to be playing when your
Aunt Sally is almost dying! Sec how
much better Thomas behaves.
Thus admonished, the young culprit re-
turned to his seat beside his twin brother,
feeling that in some way, which he did
not exactly understand, he had been in
strumental in killing his aunt.
500 you think she Will be likely to last
longf" was whispered in the doctors
cars
"Not at this rate" he replied, aloud,
advancing to the bedside Of the patient.
He felt the pulse and remarked: at Is
high, but 1t is owing more 10 unnecessary
excitement thaii TO fever. This room ID
too warm AMI close; she must be moved.
"Oh, doctorl 1t will kill llhcr." was whis
pered by one who seemed 20 be command
er-ln-ckief.
"Did you scr.d for me 10 prescribe for
this patientp" demanded the doctor.
Yes"
"Then expect to have my orders obey
ed. What have You herc?" and he opened
door leading into adjoining room.
1t proved to be parlor, one or those
dreary, unused parlors one SO frequently
finds in tho country, which are seldom
opened except for funerals; it is probable
that this one would very soon have bccn
required for this purpose had it not been
for our friends decision.
J, ~ ,.,.,,orkai tI,a .lnatnr
authoritativcly. "Open the windows to
air the room, and put up bedstead as
quickly as possible; we will move her Mt
once. This close room, with so many to
breathe the air, and all this whispering Is
enough to kill well person."
There was an air of command in DR..
Minter's manner which enforced obedi-
ence, and mechanically, the women, who
had seemed almost like mummies, pro-
cccdcd to execute his orders. The sick
lady was soon moved, and quickly began
to revive under the influence OF the cool, 4,
fresh air. Her numerous friends having
nothing further TO DO proceeded TO arrange
themselves against the walls Of the room.
al cannot allow this" said the doctor.
"You will undo all that have done. But
one person at time must stay In the room
with her. wish her to bayo pure air to
breathe; and there Is to be no whispering
here; If you have anything to say, Say 1t
In al ordinary tone"
And he held the door open In such de-
cidcd way that all but the COMMANDMENTS
chief passed through.
"Boys, you had better go out to play,
he remarked, as George and Thomas were
bunglngly trying to walk oil tip-toe.
They needed no second admonitiOn, bu,
were soon rolling on the grass, and our
friend was thcnceforth en- nshrincd In their
hearts a. "doctor."
Tic recovery Of this patient WAS rapid,
and DR.. Mintor, in consequence. won
some reputation rs a skillful practitioner.
His prompt, decided manner had gained
for him the respect OF those who had been
made to yield to his power, and the result
was some little practice. Finally, an-
other patient fell into his hands, which
proved to be Of the utmost value TO him.
Miss Dickford had been confined to her
bed for many years, and her case had al
ready baffled the skill OF twelve physi-
clans. II had been her custom to send for
every new one who came into tho neigh
borhood, and each one In turn had doc
torcd her for pretty muclI every disease
that human flesh Is heir to, but In vain;
she was still burdcned with every imag-
Unable pain and ache, aud was unable 10
turn without assistance. Assistance, how
ever, she always had IN very liberal guam
titics, as 10 was well known she was pos
sessed of q large fortune, and 1t seems 10
be h,iman nature to sympathize most
deeply with those who are thus situated.
She had heard Of DR.. Minter's skill in the
case thus cited, and therefore sent for
irim. He had also heard of her, and had
made up his mind that a diseased imagin-
alton was the solc cansc Of her Illness.
a drive Of few miles brought Dr..
Miutcr to the residence Of his now patient.
After he had carefully felt OF her pulse,
examined her tongue, and made a few in
quiries, she ianguidly opened her eyes,
and asked in a suppressed whisper, as
though she were almost afraid OF disturb
ing her own departing spirit:
'Do you think there is any hope for
me, doctor?"
"Hope for your Yes, to be sure do. /
will have you out in two or three weeks,
If you will only follow my directions faith
fully. I saw several such eases In the
hospitals. All that Is required is prac-
,;,innnr who undnrgfandg ynnr disnnsc