Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-07-16
MY FIRST PATIENT.
ummoned by a Mailman to Treet
his Martyr Wife.

ia And may 1 beg you to visit us
b your private rather than in your profes.
|ional capacity? Since my dear wife has
been falling thus sadly, she has evinced a
treat dread of medical men; and were she
70 guess you other than an ordinary guest 1
|remb!e for the consequences! The carriage
kver hour You lame.
Yours very truly,
ARTHUR CRAWFORD"
This is an extract from a letter that I
on the 10th of June, 1870, and
being but a young fellow of twenty-six,
/ was very much elated thereby. The
great drawback to being what is called
+ specialist is that the generality of peo-
what reason l have never been
bble to discoyer-are afraid to employ
you until you are well on in years, and
Consequently this Mrs. Crawford for
whom my services had been enlisted
vas my first. private patient. My spe-
|ialty was madness; and firing equally
VI Aospital-work and of idling in nv
own rooms, l was heartily thankful for
he good luck that had befallen me. In
\ previous letter, Mr.. Crawford had
a detailed account of his wife's
symptoms; and now all arrangements
we're completed, and I was due at his
Berkshire home on the following day.
When the train steamed into the little
station, l found a carriage and
ready to meet me. Evidently, to
by the general get-up of the whole
the Crawfords were wealthy folk;
md this impression was confirmed when
We reached the house, which was stand
NC in the midst of a lovely park. In
country fashion, the hall-doors
we're standing open, and my host met
he on the threshold with ~outsretched
lands.
This is exceedingly kind of you," he
genially, ''for l know you have
at your very earliest convenience.
Journey from town pleasant?-Yes?
That is right.-James, take Mr.. Len
1o1's things to his room. Lunchin the
norning-room, hey?-Come along, my
lear sir; you must be half famished."
saving, he preceded me down a long
corridor, whence 1 caught distant
5limpses of a beautiful garden at the
pack of the house, and into 4 snug little
DOM where luncheon was laid. While
discussed a cold chicken, MI. Craw-
ford went on chatting; and + I went
70 my oom for a wash and brush up
before presenting myself to his wife, we
excellent friends. l do not think
ever met a man who so much charmed
at first; nay, he more than charmed,
he captivated me. He was about thirty,
'nd exceedingly handsome, with fair
curly hair, and bright blue eyes. He
hau a bronzed complexion, and a hearty
'angh' and was altogether a most at
.factlve specimen of a young English
nan. When l had finished luncheon,
MS manner changed abruptly as he be-
speaking of his young wife.
did not like to enter upon the SUBJ
|ect before you were rested" he began
,:ou~rteously; ''but l am intensely anx-
.ous you should see her. For some
months past she has been suffering from
m%elancholia, and lately she has
a deep distrust of those around,
more particularly of me-" He stopped
'oruptly and bit his lip. doctor, I
worship her," he went on pas
onately. when I married her five
ears ago, she was the blithest, merriest
i ~ m all the shire; and now, to see her
IKE 5h's-why, it breaks my hearth and
!e dropped into a chair and buried his
ace IN his hands.
llere was an awkward pause, for in
r,ose days was too inexperienced to be
huch OF a hand at consolation, and
.n'eh | stepped nearer to him and laid
-, hand upon his shoulder. "Come,
. ~ j! said cheerily, "there is no need
~. ~ despair like this. We must hope for
.ne best. How does she show her dis
rust of you?"
tie raised his head to answer me "By
HvSPlng the boy from me, for one
iIrl,s; She will hardly let nc touch
1.-The boy9 A son of yours?"
our only child" he answered-aa
ns,, little fellow of nearly four; and she
a terrible fear whenever l have
with me-"
Does She eat well?"
hardly at ALL"
sleep at night?"
\ lie shook his head; and then followed
= aLrinU Of cario,, -.s,,o~,l r,,os.