The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1886-04-22
HIS FIRST PATIENT.
George Cooper

George Cooper.
HIS FIRST PATIENT.
One pleasant morning, in the spring
Of ten years ago and when trousers
were worn wide at the bottom, Mr..
Horace Portlock left his lodgings on
Washington square to call on his friend,
DR.. Minor, Of Ora mercy Park. Mr..
Portlock strolled slowly up Fifth avenue
and looked obviously after the young
club bucks leaving their chambers at
the Beverick to 60 to breakfast at the
Union or Delmonico's. He had broken
his nights fast on the roll and coffee
furnished as an extra by his landlady;
for Mr.. Portlock was neither the son
of rich man nor the heir Of an opu-
lent deceased aunt. That he felt that
either character would become uncom-
monty. well aggravated Mr.. Portlock's
discomfort with his own lot of Young
man with his fortune TO make and no
visible way of making it. 1t was small
consolation to reflect that his starved
purse was the inevitable result of own
ing grandfather who had lived like .
gentleman. for Mr.. Portlock was a
handsome, spirited youth, of costly
tastes and an aversion to small econ
omies and continuous labor, and his old
ramshackle house at Newport, full Of
numbering mahogany and cracked fam
lily portraits, could neither be cut up
into the garments Of fashion nor sliced
into cold fowl and champagne. Strong
reasons Tor gloom were not wanting this
very morning. in truth. scoundrel Of
a tailor having been disgustingly pres
sing and the landlady having sen: up
the bill for the fourth time.
For something like six months Mr..
Portlock had been in the city, looking
about vaguely for means to better his
condition and enjoying meanwhile such
It'd bits of dinners and dances as his
fashionable friends threw out to him.
There had been plenty of these, for
Mr.. Portlock had large acquaintance
in good society. In the first place his
was tho best set at Yale and he met
many unexceptional people abroad
where he stayed as long as his money
lasted. But an open door is helpful
only where one has the power to pass
through. Even with the best intro
duced Of men tradesmen may lose
patience and what do profit by Jones's
invitation to come down for weeks
shooting If cant scrape up money
enough to pay railroad fare? Mr..
Portlock was wondering ruefully, as he
walked where he could find credit new,
and was tempted for a moment to des-
perate and tragic resolutions. But the
morning was SO crisp and genial, the
nurse-maids SO fresh and pretty in
their white caps. the curled darlings
of wealth SO winsome as they disported
around him, and, moreover, his new
gloves such perfection of tit, that Mr..
POrtlock, who was naturally of cheer
full and susceptible disposition, plucked
up courage and went on his way in
very good spirits.
He was going over to help his friend
the doctor, q man about his own age,
with brilliant prospects (his father was
just retiring from high, select prac-
tIce) on some anatomical drawings
for which Horace had . knack. 1t
was the nature Of this young fellow to
be spending time doing somebody else
favor that were much better devoted
to his own concerns.
As Mr.. PortlOck was turning the cor
ner of Eighteenth street, however he
was conscious of loud hail. A SPLEEN
did and imposing youth. whom Horace
recognized as Tibbitts, old Shadarck
Tibbitts' son, had drawn his cleaning
dog cart sharply up beside the curb,
and was engaging Mr.. Portlock's at
tention by vigorous flourishes of his
whip. So Horace went over and shook
hands and Mr.. Tibbitts begged the fav-
or of his company at breakfast, at his
club, at noon. Yes, Horace would
come. If the Doctor let him off in time.
.'Oh. hang it." roars young Cresus
politely, ''shake him at the quarter,
and say old fell, I'll send my fellow
over then with the cob to fetch you
and save time, and touching his mares.
ears lightly with his lash Mr.. Tibbitts
bowled gallsntly off to the admiration
of the whole neighborhood.
DR.. Minor was out, but note asked
Mr.. Portl0ck to wait. as the doctor had
only to dispatch sudden call. Very
contentedly Horace settled himself to
. book. 1t was an absorbing volume
and the reader didn't know how long
the doctor stayed away. He was
reused by the sound of wheels outside,
and found it already time to go to Mr.
Tibbitts's breakfast. That must be
Tibbitts' cab now, SO scribbling line
to the Doctor telling his destination
Mr.. Portlock took up hat, gloves and
cane and hastened to the door. The
coachman on the box of rich-lookine
soupe touched his hat.
..Oi've been stint for yez, sir. in /
hurry said he. "Will yez come RICH
along, Docther?'
Yes, it's all right" said Horac.
from inside the cab, whittier he had al
ready sprung, and not hearing tn,
man last words. "Confounded nea
rig, this he thought, with touch oil
envy, "Well, we can't all have stock
operators for fathers" and then b,
drew on his gloves and arranged him
self to enjoy the borrowed luxury t.
the best advantage as the carrfag'
Whirled swiftly on.
Hello! What new clubs this?'
Horace asked himself as he stoppe.
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