News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1884-12-25
A ROMANTIC STORY.
The Chicago Physician and his Little
Christmas Present.


A romantic little story reached the
ears of reporter of the Chicago Inter
Ocean. It touches on sickness, pills
and love. A certain charming young
lady, living in one of the southern
suburbs, was taken seriously i'll few
weeks ago. Her parents, who are quite
wealthy. employed the best medical tai
ent obtainable, but the worthy disciples
of medicine who examined her pro-
nouDced her case incurable, and said
that she was beyond human aid. The
parents were in despair. By some acct
dent the father heard of young doctor
who had but recently located in the vii
lage and whose list of patients was not
at all large, but who had ever given sat
isfaction when called upon. He was
asked to see the sick girl. He called,
looked at the patient steadily, and then
turned to the anxious parents and said,
firmly and decisively:
81 can save your daughter"
"Do you think SO ?" was the excited
query.
81 know so p was the positive answer.
"Save my daughter and name your
price for your services" exclaimed the
loving father.
'Then must have entire charge of
the case" said the young doctor.
As the other doctors had given no
encouragement whatever for her recov-
cry, the case was readily placed in the
young physicians hands. He went to
work, patiently, earnestly; took entire
charge of his fair patient watched over
her day and night. In week she be-
gan to improve two weeks found her
ont of danger in three weeks she could
sit up, and at the end of four weeks she
was well and could take long drives with
her devoted doctor. He had, indeed,
redeemed his pledge-had saved his
charge.
One day, after the complete recovery
of the young lady was positively as
sured, the father called the young doc
tor into his library. Taking him by the
hand, he said:
'sYoung man, you have saved my
daughter. I told you that if you did
so you would be compensated at what
ever price you chose to fix your SER
vices. am now ready to carry out my
part of the agreement, as you have so
nobly done your work.
"Do you really wish to pay me my
price," asked the young doctor,
anxiously.
"Indeed do, SIR"
'Then 1 ask you to give your daugh-
ter to me in marriage" was the unex-
pected request.
The old gentleman was naturally a
little astonished at the nature of the an
swer. He hesitated a moment, then
touched bell. A servant answered.
Tell Hattie to step here" was the
command.
In minute the daughter entered the
room. The father and the young doc
ter stood facing one another.
"Hattie,' said the old gentleman, edo
you feel that you have fully recovered"
''I am as we'll as ever, father"
"Do you imagine what your doctor
wishes in compensation for his services
in saving your life ?" was the sternly-
put question.
mo" said the girl, anziously; "but I
am sure he deserves anything reason
able.
'rBut I consider his charge extortion-
ate," was the emphatic rejoinder.
"What is it, father? feel sure that
Doctor - would not be unreason-
able"
"Not unreasonable Why, Hattie, he
asks that 1 consent to his making you
his wife-to give you to him as Christ
mas present. What have you to say to
that ?"
Hattie blushed violently for a min
ute; her little foot played with the rug
on the floor; then, looking up archly,
first at her father and next to the young
doctor, who had meantime uttered no
word, she said:
"You say, father, when was sick all
the other doctors gave me up and as
sured me nothing but death?"
"Yes, my daughter"
''And Doctor -- took my case
under those circumstances, told you he
would save me, and nursed me back to
health and life?"
Eyes"
"Then, father, it strikes me that if l
was an auditing committee and had to
pass upon this bill, I'd argue that the
one who brought me back to my health
from apparent death would be pretty
safe for me to be intrusted to when
health was fully regained. L would
check his bill o. K, and say nothing
about extortionate charges"
The wedding will be duly celebrated
in a very short time.