The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-09-27

| however, i, q uuuUlo IL COnSCiOn oAOu'
practitioner, could not afford. had l so
desired, to decline to meet him. ana l
| consented to facilitate arrangements
for an interview at the great man
convenience.
The fashionable physician drew up
in his imposing equipage at the door
of Mount Aureo half an hour behind
the time appointed, was introduced to
his patient, making the while profuse
apologies for having been unavoidably
| detained by critical case-that of the
Duke of DeerwoOd-tO whose house in
| MAYFAIR he had been summoned by the
Duchess request to give his opinion as
to the treatment adopted by the at
tendant medical gentleman.
WHAT said the society exquisite
for such the celebrity certainly was
"whatr' exclaimed he, in grandilo-
quent tones, striking theatrical atti-
tude, lis it that fine young lady we are
to consult about? That superb girl, in
such perfect condition.! Come, madam,
confess that you are only making fun
of u.s."
"Well," replied Mrs. Contango, i'm.
pressed, as she was meant to be, by
the Importance of the pompous per-
sonage who was addressing her,
admit appearances are in my daugh-
ter's favor, and hope that you may
be able to assure us that her condition
is not serious; but she is always losing
her voice always coughing-and if
we were not to take CARE A food
of tears drowned the rest of the SEN
tence.
But" airily remarked the famous
doctor. "my dear madam, why dis
tress yourself? All may be we'll Let
me hear from this gentleman, your
family attendant, the symptoms as he
has interpreted them"
gave the history of the case in a
few words.
well, we'll; there seems to be moth.
ing serious; but We must examine the
chest with the utm ost exactness to de-
eide that"
Pardon me-" Interrupts mamma,
"but will you allow me to remain in
the room?'
''Of course, madam" responded
the favorite of fortune. You have
sacred right to stop here. Pray, sit
down" And then he directed me tc
commence the examination. l per-
ond vxyIf TO of,r1,~
part of the thorax, and, as before,
could really find nothing abnormal.
There; you perceive that l have
tested with exactne5s, and the resO-
nance is everywhere perfect. ]
made the remark as a mere matter OF
form, for l had not failed to note that
the very superior West End practition.
err had not condesceaded to pay the
slightest attention to my proceedings,
but was talking in low tones to Mrs.
Midas Contango all the time.
..Ah, we'll, now it is my turn" said
he, and with the most delicately i'm
pressive care placed Miss Muriel
again in position; not, as 1 had done,
with the arms crossed on the chest,
but stiffly extended. In place of tell
ing her to count thirteen to sixteen"
he gave her book and directed her to
read dozen lines, and then to siny
the gamut, an octave and half The
mother was watching all this in adj
miration and devouring every detail.
''Ah! humphr' said the oracle; 81,
seems there is something ex-
tremely difficult to differentiate. Let
US hear what percussion yields" And
his style was truly enchanting Every
tap with the fingers was given with a
flourish and a graceful sweep worthy
OF the most expert professor of sleight-
Ot-hand that ever entertained Coun-
tess guests There was a moment OF
studied indecision. and then, with a
covert smile, turning to me. he said:
There it is Listen. my dear young
FRIEND" as he beat his digital drum
now on this side. then Oh that Tick.
tack, tick-tack. Hark! do you hear
it? There is We y appreciate 1if-
ference in resonance; when I say sap.
preciable difference 1 do not say an
enormous difference--no-b there il
ISL
"For my own part, SIR" returned,
II can not, with all Difference, detect
the slightest difference.
'Oh, very likely; but there. never.
theless, it is. Now come, however:
though-having ascertained the truth
about the case-my time is short, lei
me convince you. will turn my
back to the patient. and you shall
again percuss. l will tell which side
you are tapping upon by the variation
in the sound" He turned round. and
[ percussed as equally as possib.,
the two sides of the thorax. You
are on the left side" He was quite
right! In a moment, however, my
surprise was changed to admiration
of the fashionable physicians smart
audacity. His Professionalism, ]
yet hope l may more truthfully write
it unprofessional-trick was obvious
enough. but performed with such per-
feet aplomb that l was duped ever
whilst taking part in it. He had
turned his back to the patient, to Mrs.
Midas Contango and myself, but hi
was looking into large mirror above
the console which faced him!
What could do? was mute. TIN.
|
tables had indeed been SO completely
turned upon me that had nothing to
say.
MADAM. 1 must not alarm you.",
observed the triumphant specialist to