Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1886-09-01
DIR. VINEYARDS PATIENT,

DIR. VINEYARDS PATIENT
DR.. wynyard was young medical
practitioner who had just started il
business and Was doing fairly well. He
had selected one of the districts of Not
ting Hill, as the field of his labors, and,
being bachelor, ne contrlved TO make
both ends meet. Still, he found il
uphill work, and fresh patients did not
present themselves every day. Conse.
quently, he was very well satisfied
at being summoned to case which
would require constant care and atten.
ton for several months. The invalid
was gentleman OF about 40 years of
age, stricken with disease which must
inevitably terminate fatally, though
medical skill might relieve his suffer
ings, and possibly sustain life for
q longer period than fate seemed
to have decreed. The name ofthe sick
man was Burton, and he lived with his
wife in st. Barnabas square. DR..
Wynyard subsequently learned that
they had only resided there about SIX
months, but, not being Of a curious
disposition, the young practitioner
never troubled himself to inquire about
their antecedeEts,
lie saw nothing, however, which led
him TO doubt that the Burtons were most
respectable people. Tne patient was
evidently not a highly educated man;
but Mrs. Burton was very refined and
ladyllke, both in manner and appear
ance, and DR.. Wynyard always sus-
pected that she had married beneath
her. Without being handsome-or
even, strictly speaking, good-loobing--
she was decidedly a faS, mating
woman, with large, soft, brown eyes,
and an expression of tenderness and
sadness. DR.. Wynyard was not sus-
ceptible young man, but he admired
Mrs. Burton, and soon discovered that
he was taking an unusual interest
in her husband for her sake. He was
touched by the poor lady's devotion to
the invalid--the more especially as Mr..
Burton, with the selfish caprieiousneSs
of sick man, not unfrequently
received her mlnistrations with singular
ungraciousness But Mrs. Burton
never uttered any complaint, nor
relaxed from her gentle devotion
a circumstance which helped to aug
ment DR.. Wynyard' s respect and esteem
for her.
The doctor considered 1t his duty, on
the earliest opportunity, TO communl-
cate to Mrs. Burton his fears OF her
husbands illness terminating fatally.
The poor lady was not unprepared for
the announcement, having been
warned some time since by physician
of high standing, that the disease was
incurable; but she was terribly dis
tressed at the prospect of the end being
so near. To soothe her DIR. Wynyard
suggested calling in an eminent spec
ialist for q consultation, to which she
eagerly agreed. This gentleman, how
ever, only confirmed DR.. Wynyard's
opinion, and Mrs. Burton reluctantly
consented to the sick man being in
formed of his hopeless condition. Ihe
Door fellow received the news with ex-
traordinary fortitude, and seemed con-
siderably less affected than his poor
wife.
For the next three months DR.. Wyn-
ward never missed visiting the patient
daily, and sometimes oftener. He
earned the gratitude of the dying man
by his skilful attention and constant
care. He was well remunerated for his
Services, as Mrs. Burton insisted upon
his sending in his account periodically,
which she paid forthwith. But he was
chiefly gratified at the lady's touching
expressions of thanks, and her evident
appreciation of his efforts. His admir-
alton for Mrs. Burton had reached
such a point that, unenthusiastic as he
was by nature. he felt he could almost
90 through IRE and water for her.
One day, when the end was visibly
approaching, Mrs. Burton said, upon
the termination OF the doctors profes-
sional duties:
"I think, DIR. Wynyard, my husband
wishes you TO see him sign his Will.
"Certainly,'' said the doctor, glanc-
ing at the patient, who nodded acquies.
cence.
ale had It prepared some time ago.
Shall I fetch lt?'' inquired Mrs. But
ton, gently addressing her husband.
In obedience TO gesture from him,
she left the room, returning presently
with document in her hand.
81 should like you To read 1t out be-
fore sign.'' said Mr.. Burton
DIR. Wynyard unfolded the VIII,
which was very short, and READ II
aloud. 1t contained bequest OF EooO,
free of legacy duty. to Charlotte Emlln,
tbe wife of John Emlin, and gave
everything else the testatOr possessed to
his wife, who was appointed sole execu-
trix.
as that correct?" Inquired Mrs:
Burton of her husband. "Does that
express your wishesr
The invalid nodded, and lntimated
his readiness to sign.
DR.. Wynyard, who knew something
about the formalitie5 to be observed In
eyecuting wills. sent for second wit
ness, and also attested it himself. lie
felt no scruples about the matter, lor
Mr. Burton was in full possession
of his faculties, and was perfectly
ouare what he was doing. The SICK
mans physical weakness, however,
hacame very conspicuous when ne
ottempted to write his name, ana
:. ,,-as only after several efforts that he
nroduced a scrawl resembling Sigha-
ture. .,,o,.t0d nnon the
,;ilow Mrs. Burton took up the Will
p pnd was proceeding, apparently, to put
al =. - some place Of safety, when her
h husband stopped her. - 81
SI,eaye it," he painted, looking 81
her arnply. Id ,.,a