Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1886-02-04

Tor twenty miles round-with the sim
gle exception of Stephen Winkworth.
1t was suspected, from a certain gut
| teral accentuation in his tones-es-
pecially noticeable when he was speak
ing rapidly-that he was of German
extraction; but nothing more was real
ly known of him than that his name
was Bax, that he was a doctor and
that he practiced his profession as
much for love as for gain. He was not
rich, but he always had enough. and
he never accepted a fee from those he
suspected of not being able to afford
it. He was welcomed everywhere, and
by everybody. He took an interest in
everything. Women spoke of him as
'dear DR.. Bax," and husbands were
not jealous to hear; young men in love
pressed him into their confidence; and
young women whispered their little
troubles into his ear. He had kind
word and honest advice for all, and
never seemed tired of doing good gra-
tuitously.
Now, one would have thought that
the mere sight of such a man would
have been sufficient to induce some
sign of cheerful recognition. Not so
thought Stephen Winkworth; he evil
IDENTIFY regarded the little doctor as an
intrusion. and did not care to conceal
his feelings in the matter. But as for
Doctor Bax, bless your soul! sour looks
had no more effect upon him than they
have upon the Sphinx, and he returned
Stephens surly recognition with a
smile genial enough to have melted all
the ice in every water butt in Devon
shire.
Fine weather, sr!' exclaimed the
little doctor, rubbing his hands briskly,
and shifting the air with most intense
enjoyment. ats finer than fine
weather, sir; it's glorious weather,
glorious! Smell it, Here he gave
another vigorous sniff. Take off your
hat and bow to it," and taking off his
hat. he barred to the fresh air a poll as
smooth as billiard-ball, and as pol
ished as a looking-glass; you certainly
could have seen your face in it. ''Fine
weather, sir! By the Lord! if one
could live in such weather for fifty
years, he would not be a day older at
the end, and we doctors would have to
90 to another planet. 1t is life, sir,
life-the true Elixir Vitae! If Old Parr
had had such weather as this he would
have lived to be a thousand. Not a
day less, as am a man and a DOCTOR"
Stephen gazed upon the rhapsodist
with cold contemptuOus eyes. Far diff
ferent from William Fairfield. who fol-
lowed the doctor words with spark
ling looks and gay asserting gestures.
1--WE live in a glorious climate" pro-
ceeded Doctor Bax, with thorough en-
joyment: 'idiots abuse it. because it is
the fashion to abuse it. and idiots will
do whatever's the fashion. A glorious
climate! Show me a finer. Such a
day as this is perfect and appropriate.
Christmas would lose half its charm if
it were not for the snow, and the ice,
and the life-giving cold air. We
breathe in youth in such weather as
this"
You are a fortunate man, DOCTOR"
said Stephen, with little cynical
laugh.
Fortunate! Yes. am Fortunate"
quickly, and somewhat gravely, re-
sponded Doctor BaX; .'but you mean
in some particular way?"
No" replied Stephen, in slow,
measured tones, which formed a won
derful contrast to the impetuous utter
ances of the little doctor, Il mean in
general way. Fortunate in being
able, or pretending to be able, to find
so much good in things that are OBJ
noXiouS to others"
Fortunate, for instance" rejoined
Doctor Bax. gently and with reverence,
''in being able to find tongues in
trees, books in the running brooks,
sermons in stones, and good in every
thing"
Stephen Winkworth disposed of the
gentle reproach by a scornful motion
of his hands.
81 find the evening cold, and chilly.
and damp; favorable only to rheuma-
tism and bronchitis. l see nothing fine
in it,
..Nothing?' inquired Doctor Bax,
with an air of anxiety.
Nothing" was the positive assev-
Grafton of Stephen Winkworth.
"Well, WE'LL" said the doctor, rub
bling his forehead, that can't be your
fault. 1t is an unfortunate inheritance
not to be able to see good in things;
but you were put in possession of it
without being consulted, and therefore
you are not to blame. The perpleXing
point is" continued the doctor, mus
ingly, s'who IS to blame? You can't
throw it upon your father and mother,
for they could not have known any
thing of it. We are all born with diff
ferently shaped heads; we are not ac
countabIe for that. There is a great
deal in the shape of the head we came
into the world with. You see, if
child was born with two tongues, he
could not help speaking double, could
he? Rather a comical idea, that. Ha,
ha, han'
Although the doctor laughed hearth
ly at the notion, and was as heartily
Joined by William Fairfield, Stephen
Winkworth did not appear to see the
comicality of the idea.
You call yourself philosopher; 1
should not wonder" he said, disdain-
fully
If philosophy mean contentment
with things as they are,'' said Doctor
Bax. rubbing his forehead again, "then
l say: Yes, l am philosopher.
From which 1 gather" said
Stephen, slowly, dwelling on his words,
THAT you have never experienced
heart shock that turned your blood
from its natural currents, and diseased
it. You are happy man, contented
with yourself and with the world
Il am happy" returned Doctor Bax,
with humb1eness. land contented with
the world; but have seen misfortune,
and thank God for it,
THAT Is your can't" sneered
Stephen, land of a piece with other
human hypocrisies. You thank God
for misfortune, and take credit to your
self for pretended humbleness. You
bless outwardly what curse outward