San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-08-28
CarriStOl's Gift.
BY HUGH CONWAY.
PART |.
TOLD BY PHILIP BRAND, NJ. D., LONDON.

/ wish had the courage to begin this tale
by turning to my professional visiting books,
and, taking at random any month out Of the
last twenty years, give its record as fair
sample of my ordinary work. The dismal
extract would tell you what dOctOrs-I sup
pose may say successful dOctOr'S-lOt is,
when his practice lies in poor and densely-
populated district of London. Dreary as
such beginning might be, it would perhaps
allay some of the incredulity which this tale
may probably provoke, as it would plainly
show how little room there is for things inn
aginative or romantic in work so hard as
mine, or among such grim realities of power
ty, pain, and grief as those by which l have
been surrounded. 1t would certainly make
1t appear extremely unlikely that should
have found time to imagine, much less to
write a romance or melOdnma.
The truth Is that when man has tOiled
from nine o'clock In the morning until nine
o'clock at night, such leisure as he can enjoy
is precious to him, especially when even that
short respite is liable to be broken in upon at
any moment
Still, in spite of the doleful picture have
drawn of what may be called ''the daily
Siihu, L ucSih tillS Idlt WIFI tIlt dCCOunt Vi
holiday.
In the autumn of 1864 l turned my back
with right goodwill upon London streets,
hospitals, and patients, and took my seat in
the North Express. The first revolution of
the wheels sent a thrill of delight through
my jaded frame. A joyful sense of freedom
came over me. l had really got away at last!
Moreover, had left no address behind me,
so for three blessed weeks might roam an un-
disputed lord of myself. Three weeks were
not very many to take out of the fifty-twO,
but they were all could venture to give my
self; for even at that time my practice, If not
so lucrative as could wish, was large and
increasing one. Having done twelve
months hard work, felt that no one in the
kingdom could take his holiday with con-
science clearer that mine, so lay back in a
peculiarly cOntented frame of mind, and dis
counted the coming pleasures of my brief
respite from labor.
There are many ways Of passing holiday
many places at which it may be spent but,
after all, If you wish TO enjoy it thoroughly
there is but one royal rule TO be followed.
That is, simply TO please yOurself-gO where
you like, and mount the innocent holiday
hobby which is dearest TO your heart, let its
name be botany, geology, entomology, con-
chology, venery, piscation, or what not.
Then you will be happy, and return well
braced up for the battle of life. | knew a
city clerk with literary tastes who invariably
spent his annual fortnight among the mlsti-
est tones OF the British Museum, and aver
red that his health was more benefited by so
doing than If he had passed the time inhaling
the freshest sea-breezes. daresay he was
right in his assertion.
Sketching has always been my favorite
holiday pursuit. Poor as my drawings may
be, nevertheless, as | turn them over in my
portfolio, they bring, TO me at least, vivid re-
membranes of many sweet and picturesque
spots, happy days, and congenial cOmpan-