Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1885-11-26

PART I.
TOLD BY rHITIP BRAND. N. u, LONDON.
/ wish had the courage TO begin
this tale by turning to my professional
yisiting-books. and taking at random
any month out OF The last twenty years,
give It's record as fair sample of my
ordinary work. The dismal ext act
would tell you what doctor's-I sup
pose may say successful DOCTORS
lot is, when his practice lies in n poor
and densely populated district of Lon
don. Dreary as such beginning
might be, 1t would perhaps allay some
of the mcredulity which this tale may
probably provoke as it would plainly
show how little room there is for things
imaginative orromantic in work so hard
as mine. or among such grim realities
of poverty, pain and grief as those by
which have been surrounded II would
certainly make il appear extremely un-
likely that / should nave found time to
imagine. much less TO write, a romance
or melodrama.
The truth is that when a man has
toilcd from nine o'clock in the morning
until nine o'clock AZ night. such leisure
rs he can enjoy IS precious 10 him, es-
pecially when even that short respite is
liable TO be broken in upon at any mo-
ment.
Still, in spite of the doleful picture /
have drawn of what may he called "the
daily grind" begin this tale with the
account of n holiday.
In the autumn OF 1864 / turned my
back with right goodwill upon London
streets, hospitals and patients, and tooA
my scat in the North express. The first
revolution Of the wheels sent a thrill OF
delight through my jaded frame. A
joyful sensation Of freedom came over
me. had really got away at last More
over. had left no address behind me.
so for three blessed weeks might roam
an undisputed lord Of myself Three
weeks were not very many to take ont
of the iifty-two. but they were all could
venture TO give myself; for even at that
time my practice, II not so lucrative as /
could wish, was large and increasing
one. Having done a twelyemonth's
hard work, felt that no one in the
kingdom could take his holiday with
a conscience clearer than mine, so lay
back in peculiarly contented frame of
mind. and discounted the coming pleas
ures OF my brief respite from labor.
There are many ways Of passing hol-
iday-many places at which it NAV be
spent; but. after ALL il You wish 10 thor
oughly enjoy It, there is but one royal
rule 10 be followed. That Is. simply 10
Please yourself go whore YOU like and
mount the innocent holiday hobby which
il II af To 81 lasff -.
botany. geology, entomology, conchol-
ogy, piseation, or what not. Then you
shall be happy, and return well b aced
up for the battle Of life. / knew a city
clerk Of literary tastes who invariably
spent his ANIMAL fortnight among the
mu tiest tones Of the British Museum.
and ayerred that his health was more
benefited by so doing than II he had
passed the lime iDhaling the freshest
sea-breezes. dare say he was right
in his assertion.
Sketching has always been my favor
ite holiday pursuit Poor rs my draw
ings may be, nevertheless. as turn
them over iu my portfolio, they bring.
70 me at least, vivid reinambrances OF
many sweet and picturesque spots, hap
py days. and congenial companions. Il
Is not for me 10 say anything of their
actual merits. but they are dear 10 me
for their associations
This particular year / went 10 North
Wales. and made Bettws v Coed my
head-qual ters. stayed at the Royal
Oak, that well-knogn little inn dear TO
many an artists heart and tceming
with "reminiscences Of famous men who
have soiourned there times without
numher. II was here ! made the nc
quaintance Of the man with whose life
the curious events ! am going to narrate
are connected.
On tue FIRST day after my arrival at
betiws my appreciation ofmy liberty WAS
% thorough, my appetite for he enjoy
ment OF the beauties OF nature so keen and
Unsuitable, that / went SO far and saw so
much, that when returned 10 the Royal |
Oak night had fallen. aud the hour Of
dinner had long passed by. / was.
when my own meal was placed on the /
table, lhe only occupant OF the colIee-
room. just then young man entered.
and ordered something TO eat The
walter knowing. no doubt. something OF
she frank eaHiayadefic which exists, or
should exist, between tho followers Of
Ne'pomene. laii hls cover nf my table.
THIS nNW.colocf seated lInaso'f nafo mo
i. ..|.I