Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-05-17
misffllane0ns.
A Doctors Story.

"You know nothing about intemper.
ance," said noted physician II couid
write volumes that would amaze you"
Write one" said.
ut would be q breach OF honor. a
physician. like Romish priest, may not
betray the confessional" After mo-
ment added: '.Our profession takes US IN
to homes. And lives and hearts that
seem all bright and happy are often dark
and miserable from sickness OF the soul.
"There must be some scenes that 1t
would be proper for you to tell me- l
urged; please think of some.'
II was called to the wife of distln-
puisbed gentleman. Her husband sat by
her bed tanning her, and a lovely bouquet
of flowers was On the stand by her SIDE.
Two little girls were playing quietly in the
room. 1t was charming picture OF love
and devotion.
"Mv wife fell down stairs" said her
husband, land fear has hurt herself Sc
riously."
IL examined her shoulder. 1t was
swollen and black. and one rib was
broken.
How do you find her?" asked her hus.
band anxiously.
II will ask the questions. if you please.
How did you so injure yourself!
II fell on the stairway"
II hesitated | was not in poor shanty
but in the house of well-known and IN
stained man. | re-exsmined her side.
when did she fall ?'' | asked.
Last night" he said, after seconds
pause and glance at her."
INV raco1va waG taken -
please show me the place on the stairs
where she struck? ?" said to the husband,
rising and going out. He followed me-
IL was not with her when she FELL" he
said.
1.-The injury was not from fall. and 1t
was not done last night. Never try to de-
ceive doctor"
"She begged me not to tell you the
truth
Then get another physician" | said
81 will tell you the whole truth. Night
before last had been GU: to dinner.
81 saw your brilliant speech in the pa
per. Was it wine inspired ?"
Partly. Most after dinner speeches
are to degree. came home excited by
the fine dinner, wit, wisdom, and wine OF
the evening. and went. not to bed. but to
the closet and drank heavily. My wife
heard me and came down, hoping to coax
me up stairs. as she had done many times.
But she was too late. My reason and
manhood were gone, and pounded her,
and left her. She tried to follow me, but
fell on the stairs. After time she crawled,
she says, up stairs, and went to into the
nursery and slept with the little girls. |
slept late, and woke with fierce head
ache, and went out at once, thinking no
break fast and the outdoor air would clear
my brain for my morning engagements.
pledge you my honor had forgotten |
struck my wife When | came back, last
night, l found her suffering; but she
would not permit physician should be
sent for lest it should disgrace me. |
think she really tries to believe that she
hurt herself, more or less, when she fell"
And with an honest culver of the chin he
added: "She is an angel, and wine is
devil :"
What are wine bibbers Pr
"Own children of their father. Is my
wife seriously hurt ~
81 cannot tell yet, fear she is"
more absolute, untring devotion no
man ever gave vile than he gave her
while she lived and suffered. When her
noble, true. loving heart ceased to throb
he was inconsolable. His love and devo-
ton were the theme of every lip. and the
providence that so afflicted him was called
strange in tone of semi-ceusure! On
the tomb is cut the beloved wiien He
has gone to her now, in that land of no
license No one but myself ever knew
the truth. "-National Temperance Adro-
cate.