The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1884-04-17

advancing to the bedside of the patient.
He felt the pulse, and remarked, ut is
high, but it is owing more to unnecessary
excitement than o fever. This room
is too warm and close; she must be
moved" ~
ooh, doctor! it will kill her!" was
whispered by one who seemed to be
commander-in-chief.
"Did you send for me to prescribe
for this patient?" demanded the doctor,
EYES,"
"Then I expect to have my orders
obeyed. What have you here?" and he
opened door leading into an adjoining
room.
It proved to be parlor, one of those
dreary, unused parlors one so frequent
ly finds in the country, which are sell
dom opened except for funerals; it is
probable that this one would very soon
have been required for this purpose had
it not been for our friends decision.
"This will do" remarked the doctor
authoritatively. "Open the windows to
air the room, and put up a bedstead as
quickly as possible; we will move her
at once. This close room, with SO
many to breathe the air. and all this
whispering is enough to kill we'll per-
son."
| There was an air of command in DR..
NJ nter's manner which enforced
obedience, and mechanically, the wom-
en-, who had seemed almost like num-
mics, proceeded to execute his orders.
The sick lady was soon moved, and
quickly began to revive under the infu-
ence of the cool, fresh air. Her nu-
merous friends having nothing further
to do proceeded to arrange themselves
against the walls ofthe room.
II cannot allow this" said the doc
tor. "You will undo all that have
done. But one person at time must
stay in the room with her. I wish her
to have pure air to breathe; and there
is to be no whispering here; if you have
anything to say, say it in an ordinary
tone"
And he held the door open in such q
decided way that all but the command
er-in-chief passed through.
"Boys you had better go out to play,
he remarked, as George and Thomas
were bunglingly trying to walk on tip
| toe.
They needed no second admonition
but were soon rolling on the grass, and
| our friend was thenceforth enshrined in
their hearts as ''doctor."
The recovery of this patient was rap
id, and DR.. Minter, in consequence, won
some reputation as skilful 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, another patient fell into his
hands, which proved to be Of the ut
most value to him.
Miss Dickford had been confined to
her bed for many years, and her case
had already baffled the skill of twelve
physicians. It had been her custom to
send for every new one who came into
the neighborhood, and each one in turn
had doctored her for pretty much every
| disease that human flesh is heir to, but
in vain; she was still burdened with
every imaginable pain and ache, and
was unable to turn without assistance.
Assistance, however, she always had in
very liberal quantities, as it was well
known she was possessed of large for
tune, and it seems to be human nature
to sympathize most deeply with those
who are thus situated. She had heard
of DIR. Minter's skill in the case thus
cited, and therefore sent for him. He
had also heard of her, and had made up
his mind that diseased imagination was
the sole cause Of her illness.
A drive of few miles brought DR..
Minter to the residence of his new pa
tient. After he had carefully felt of her
pulse, examined her tongue, and made
Il few inquiries, she lang11idly opened
her eyes, and asked in a suppressed
whisper, as though she were almost
afraid of disturbing her own departing
spirit:
'cDo you think there is any hope for
me, doctor?"
"Hope for you? Yes to be sure I do.
I will have you out in two or three
weeks, if you will only follow my direc-
tions faithfully. I saw several such
cases in the hospitals All that is re-
quired is practitioner who understands
your disease, and on your part, perfect
obedience to his orders"
A faint smile fitted across the coun-
tenence of the invalid, and she found
the strength to shake her head slightly
ooh, no, doctor, you do not know
how i'll am; if you have me ont in two
years you will go beyond my sanguine
expectations. "
avery we'll, ma'am," said her visitor,
rising.
"Why DOCTOR" she asked in alarm,
"are you not going to do anything for
me?"
mo; there is no use in attempting the
case unless I can have strict obedience,
and see that you are not disposed to
give it,"
II will promise to do what ever you
say. Pray do not leave me, for I was
really in hope you might afford me some
relief"
my relief will be perfect cure; but
in order to effect this you must not vary
one iota from my instructions.
Faithful aquiescence in all his orders
was solemnly promised. And the
patient, thoroughly aroused and excited
by so much earnestness and certainty
on the part of her companion. watched
his movements with the utmost interest.
Taking from his package of medicines
| bundle of pulverized carbonate of
magnesia, colored with tincture of
cochineal, which he had prepared ex-
| pressIy for this occasion before leav-
ing home, he proceeded to measure it
very carefully on the point of his pen
| knife blade, and made it up in tiny
powders.
Miss Dickfords eyes dilated as she
watched him, and she forgot to talk in a
whisper.
"What beautiful color!" she ex-
claimed. II never saw any medicine
like that before"
'Know, of course you never did; it is
something entirely new, and probably
has never been heard Of by the doctors
Of your neighborhood. You know I
have just come from hospitals-ther
are constant improvements going on in
our profession.
And holding his knife blade, which
contained some of the powder, critically
before his eyes, he carefully removed an
atom or two before doing it up in bits of
paper.
When he had finished he counted his
powders twice, and then seemed to be
buried in brown study, from which he
finally emerged with the remark, II
don't know whether it will be quite safe
to leave these with YOU"